Joseph Smith had suffered all manner of persecution after his report of the First Vision, especially by those who would have been considered the religious leaders in his area. Without the company of his former friends who “if they supposed (him) to be deluded to have endeavored in a proper and affectionate manner to have reclaimed (him)—(he) was left to all kinds of temptations and, mingling with all kinds of society, (he) frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, (he) was sorry to say, led (him) into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God.”
Without the proper influences in his life, Joseph Smith felt he had become guilty of levity and association with jovial company. Feeling that this was not the type of character befitting one who had been visited by God, Joseph felt inclined to call upon God to ask forgiveness for all of his sins and follies, and to understand his place or standing before Him. Praying with full confidence that his questions would be answered as they were before, Joseph discovered a light appearing in his room until it became a personage standing in the air beside him. This personage was Moroni, the last prophet of the Book of Mormon and the keeper of the plates.
The message that Moroni delivered to Joseph Smith is one of incredible consequence. It answered fully the questions that Joseph had posed to the Lord. A careful study of what was given to Joseph in response to his inquiry as to his standing before God, by way of scriptural references, shows the important part that Joseph would play in the coming forth of the gospel in this dispensation.
Malachi 3 and 4
Isaiah 11
Acts 3: 22-23
Joel 2: 28-32
In conclusion, it was three years after Joseph Smith received the First Vision that he again was visited by a Heavenly messenger and received the answer to his prayers once again and what we know today as Section 2 of the Doctrine and Covenants.
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