The angel then told him of a record written on gold plates which were hidden in a hill not far away.

This record was a history of the peoples who had lived on this continent, of whom the Indians were a part.

With the plates was an instrument called the Urim and Thummim, which God had prepared for the translating of the records.

After a time these things would be given to Joseph, but he must take great care of them and show them to no one except those to whom the Lord would direct.

Then Moroni showed Joseph, by a vision, the place, where the plates were hidden.
After giving much other instruction, the light in the room began to gather in towards the person of the angel, leaving the room again in darkness, except just around the heavenly visitor, who soon disappeared in a shining path into heaven.
Three times that same night Moroni visited Joseph and told him nearly the same things over again.