Chase Shepard (b.1945),
Moroni Shows Joseph the Gold Plates, 1973, etching, 2 7/8 x 2 7/8 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art. On this day in 1823, the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith for the first time and showed him the gold plates. Moroni visited Joseph the next five years, giving him instruction until Joseph was ready to receive the plates to begin translation.