PALMYRA, New York — Three years after the First Vision, on the evening of Sept. 21, 1823, young Joseph Smith prayed in his family’s Palmyra, New York, home for forgiveness and understanding.

That night he was visited multiple times by a heavenly messenger, the ancient prophet Moroni, who informed young Joseph that God had work for him to do. The angel revealed the location of an ancient record inscribed on gold plates that was buried in a nearby hill, which would lead to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

The next day and on Sept. 22 for the next four years, Joseph went to the hill to receive instruction from the angel Moroni that would prepare Joseph for his prophetic role in the latter-day work.

Just over 200 years later, on Sunday, Sept. 21, hundreds gathered outside the visitor

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