Who is the angel Moroni?
Who Is the Angel Moroni?
Translated and Explained from a Biblical and Baptist Perspective
The angel Moroni does not appear in the Bible. He is a figure exclusive to Latter-day Saint (LDS or Mormon) theology. According to LDS belief, Moroni was originally a human, the son of a prophet named Mormon, and he became an angel after death. Mormon and Moroni are said to have lived in the Americas before European contact.
LDS teaching claims that Moroni finished writing the Book of Mormon on golden plates and buried them in a hill in what is now western New York. After Moroni’s death, he allegedly appeared to Joseph Smith in 1823 and revealed the location of these buried plates. Smith claimed that Moroni gave him power to translate them, which became the Book of Mormon. A statue of Moroni blowing a trumpet is often seen atop Mormon temples, including the one in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Interestingly, early Mormon documents inconsistently referred to the angel as Nephi, another character in the Book of Mormon, but the LDS Church later attributed this to editorial error and affirms that Moroni is the correct name.
The LDS Church also misinterprets Revelation 14:6 by claiming Moroni is the angel mentioned:
Revelation 14:6 (NKJV) –
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.”
This interpretation is not supported by Scripture and is inconsistent with Baptist theology, which teaches that the canon of Scripture is closed and that the gospel has already been fully revealed through Jesus Christ.
Biblical Warnings Against False Gospels and Angelic Deception
Galatians 1:6–9 (NKJV) –
“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”
2 Corinthians 11:13–14 (NKJV) –
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.”
These passages clearly show that even if an angelic being appears, if it brings a message that contradicts the gospel of grace, it is to be rejected. The gospel proclaimed by Joseph Smith and the LDS Church adds to the finished work of Christ and teaches a different Jesus, a different plan of salvation, and a different Scripture. This is false doctrine.
Historical Curiosity: Name Similarities and Fictional Roots
Critics of Joseph Smith note that “Moroni” is the name of the capital of the Comoro Islands, and that the nearby island is called Camora. This raises suspicions about Smith’s creative borrowing, especially considering that he had been involved in treasure hunting and was familiar with legends about buried gold and pirate stories. He named the hill where he claimed to find the plates “Cumorah,” which closely resembles “Camora.”
Conclusion: Is Moroni a Real Angel?
From a biblical and Baptist theological standpoint:
Moroni is not an angel sent from God.
His message contradicts the gospel.
Any supernatural being that teaches contrary to the Bible is under God’s curse.
Whether Joseph Smith invented Moroni or encountered a demonic spirit posing as an angel, the conclusion is the same: the gospel of Mormonism is false, and Moroni is not from God.
Jude 1:3 (NKJV) –
“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
The true gospel has already been delivered, and there is no need for a “restoration” or new revelation.
