The first Angel Moroni sculpted to hold the golden plates in its left arm was designed by Torleif Knapfus for the Hill Cumorah Monument (see #3 above). Sculptor Millard Malin kept Knaphus’ design idea for his unique Los Angeles Temple angel (#1 above), also keeping the plates in Moroni’s left arm; so did Avard Fairbanks (#2), who sculpted the version for the Washington D.C. Temple. (Replicas of Fairbanks’s plate-holding Moroni stand atop the Seattle Washington, Jordan River Utah, and Mexico City Mexico Temples.)

Every Angel Moroni statue is created as a unique work of art designed through inspiration. The choice to depict a Moroni holding the plates seems a perfect tribute to the prophet who sacrificed his entire life to preserve, protect and hide these sacred ancient records – and then to deliver them to Joseph Smith in the 19th Century. Although I do not have all of the details about each angel story, LA and DC angels are mentioned above. The Mexico City temple was the first temple built specifically for the decendents of the Lamanite people of the Book of Mormon, so I think it is especially fitting their angel is holding the golden plates!

“During one of his frequent visits to the temple, President David O. McKay noticed that the angel faced southeast as did the temple. He informed architect Edward O. Anderson “that it was not correct in that position…that the angel must face east.” The angel had generated much conversation among the neighbors, and one indicated, perhaps tongue in cheek, that she “certainly never would be interested [in learning more about the Church] until the angel faced her home.” One morning she awoke to find the statue “was looking directly at her place.” Brother Anderson had followed President McKay’s instructions to turn the angel.” (Temples to Dot the Earth by Richard Cowan, 1997 edition, page 183)