In upstate New York, Joseph Smith, a young man in his early twenties, claimed to have been visited by the Angel Moroni. According to Smith, Moroni instructed him to go to a particular hill called Cumorah, where he would find a set of golden plates buried in a stone box. These plates were inscribed in a language that Smith believed to be a form of reformed Egyptian. The angel reiterated that the plates contained the history of an ancient people who had lived on the American continent, and they were vital for the restoration of true Christianity.

The visit from Moroni occurred multiple times over the following years, culminating in Smith obtaining the plates in 1827 after years of preparation and guidance. Upon acquiring the plates, Smith began the process of translation. With the help of various associates, he produced the Book of Mormon, which was published in 1830. This text would later serve as the foundational scripture for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which Smith established.

Not only did this revelation lead to the birth of a new religious movement, but it also initiated a series of events that would transform the religious landscape of the United States, attracting followers and engendering both support and opposition. The story of the golden plates became a central part of Smith's life and the larger narrative of the Latter Day Saints, further symbolizing the belief in divine inspiration and prophetic calling.