WHILE limping north on 9th/Columbus Avenue from Penn Station in June 2022, I spotted the figure of a trumpeter on top of what looked like a flagpole on the northeast corner of West 65th Street. A bit of research revealed this is a representation of the prophet/angel Moroni of the Church of Latter-day Saints, more colloquially, the Mormons. Though the Mormon Church seems to be associated with the public imagination as centered in the western states, particularly Utah, the faith was founded by Joseph Smith in western New York State. The faith breaks from other sects of Christianity in many ways, most importantly, it holds that God the Father and the Son are separate persons; for this reason, the Mormon Church is called non-Trinitarian. Mormonism is a complicated faith; I am familiar with it from its church building in Little Neck.
Moroni (pronounced MORE-oh-n’eye) is the son of a general named Mormon; according to religious tradition, he belonged to one of four ancient tribes in North America battling for supremacy. After his tribe, the Nephites, were defeated in battle by the Lamanites, Moroni went into seclusion to avoid death at the Lamanites’ hands. Their story was recorded in several sacred texts including the Book of Mormon, with Moroni recording a section on golden plates. After his death, Moroni became an angel who directed Joseph Smith to the location of these golden plates. (I’m vastly simplifying matters.)
The Mormon Temple in Lincoln Center was dedicated in 2002, with the gilded figure of Moroni placed on its “steeple” two years later. Currently, it is closed for renovations. A full history of the temple can be found on its website.
Check out the ForgottenBook (HarperCollins, 2006), as well as Forgotten Queens (Arcadia, 2013). I also have a chapter in the anthology “New York Calling: From Blackout to Bloomberg” (Reaktion, 2007). As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site.
9/16/26