Ether 5

One of the shortest books in the Book of Mormon, Ether 5 is only six verses. In these verses, Moroni is speaking directly to Joseph Smith. Moroni had been shown our day in vision, so it makes sense that he also was privileged to see the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Did he see Joseph Smith specifically? We don't know, but what Moroni did know was that at a time determined by the Lord, the plates would be brought forth and someone would be given the power of God to translate them. Moroni tells Joseph three things. One is that he is not to touch or try to translate the 24 sealed plates. If he does, he will lose all power to translate. Moroni also explains the law of witnesses, telling Joseph that three witnesses will be given the power to bear testimony of the truthfulness of the record and its coming forth. The third thing is Moroni's testimony that this work is of God, that he wrote it by the authority of God, and when "ye shall see me, and we shall stand before God at the last day," ye [Joseph] will know that Moroni had the power and authority to write what he did. I can't imagine what it will be like to see these great prophets some day. I am absolutely in awe of them as I'm sure I will be at that day too.