D&C 128:20
"And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel
from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the prophets--the book to be
revealed. A voice of the Lord in the wilderness of Fayette, Seneca
county, declaring the three witnesses to bear record of the book! The
voice of Michael on the banks of the Susquehanna, detecting the devil
when he appeared as an angel of light! The voice of Peter, James, and
John in the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna county, and
Colesville, Broome county, on the Susquehanna river, declaring
themselves as possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the
dispensation of the fulness of times!"
While the fact that Joseph Smith got the plates from the Hill Cumorah is only implied in this scripture, we must also recognize that implying was all that was needed by Joseph Smith because everyone associated with him knew that the Hill Cumorah was near Palmyra. Otherwise why is there no record of him correcting other church leaders when they spoke frequently of that famous hill being in New York State?
Joseph Fielding Smith
“
. . . This modernist theory of necessity, in order to be consistent, must
place the waters of Ripliancum and the Hill Cumorah some place within the
restricted
territory
of
Central America
, not withstanding the teachings of the Church to the contrary for upwards
of 100 years . . .”
“It is difficult for a reasonable person to believe that such men as Oliver
Cowdery, Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, Davis Wittmer, and
others, could speak frequently of the spot where the Prophet Joseph Smith
obtained the plates as the Hill Cumorah and not be corrected by the Prophet,
if that were not the fact.”
"In the western part of the state of New York near Palmyra is a prominent hill known as the "hill Cumorah." (Morm. 6:6.) On July twenty fifth of this year, as I stood on the crest of that hill admiring with awe the breathtaking panorama which stretched out before me on every hand, my mind reverted to the events which occurred in that vicinity which occurred some twenty five centuries ago--events which brought to and end the great Jaredite nation."
This quote came from the talk that President Romney gave at October General Conference, 1975.
Spencer W. Kimball
"And remember that there were no heavenly beings in Palmyra, on the Susquehanna, or on Cumorah when the soul-hungry Joseph slipped quietly into the grove, knelt in prayer on the river bank, and climbed the slopes of the sacred hill."
Harold B. Lee
"One of our former mission presidents bears a remarkable testimony to the importance of this sacred record. He, in company with brethren of the General Authorities, several years ago was negotiating the purchase of properties in the vicinity of the Hill Cumorah in New York. At an early morning hour and alone he walked to a point on the hill where the monument now stands. As he stood there reverently, he heard distinctly a voice that said to him: 'Push the distribution of the record taken from this hill. It will help bring the world to Christ.' "
Stand Ye In Holy Places, Pg. 195-196.
Oliver Cowdery
"After describing the location of the Hill Cumorah near Palmyra, New York, Oliver Cowdery writes in the Messenger and Advocate, July, 1835, 'At about one mile west rises another ridge of less height, running parallel with the former, leaving a beautiful vale between. The soil is of the first quality for the country, and under a state of cultivation, which gives a prospect at once imposing, when one reflects on the fact, that here, between these hills, the entire power and national strength of both the Jaredites and Nephites were destroyed."
Messenger and Advocate, July, 1835.
Oliver Cowdery also identifies the Hill Cumorah as being near the village of Palmyra, New York, in a speech he gave to the Delaware Indians about the Book of Mormon. That speech is recorded in History of the Church, Vol. 1, Pg. 183.
Bruce R. McConkie
“Both the Nephite and the Jaredite civilizations fought their final great wars of extinction at and near the Hill Cumorah (or Ramah as the Jaredites termed it), which hill is located…in the western part of the state of New York ... Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and many early brethren, who were familiar with the circumstances attending the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in this dispensation, have left us pointed testimony as to the identity and location of Cumorah or Ramah.” (Mormon Doctrine; pg. 174.)
Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp. 232-241
George Albert Smith
"In the year 1827, Joseph Smith was living in Palmyra, New York, and it was at the Hill Cumorah, near his home, that an angel delivered into his custody, a volume of plates having the appearance of gold. He was directed to translate the engravings into English, which he did by the gift and power of God. It caused quite a commotion in the community when it was reported that Joseph had received some golden records and had them in his possession."
Sharing the Gospel With Others, Pg. 100-101.
On the occasion of his first visit to Joseph Smith, Moroni told of the existence of the record, which, he said, was engraved on plates of gold, at that time lying buried in the side of a hill near Joseph's home. The hill, which was known by one division of the ancient peoples as Cumorah, by another as Ramah, is situated near Palmyra in the State of New York."
Articles of Faith, Ch. 14, Pgs. 255-256.
"The final struggles between Nephites and Lamanites were waged in the vicinity of the Hill Cumorah, in what is now the State of New York, resulting in the destruction of the Nephites as a nation, about 400 A.D. The last Nephite representative was Moroni, who, wandering for safety from place to place, daily expecting death from the victorious Lamanites, wrote the concluding parts of the Book of Mormon, and hid the record in Cumorah. It was the same Moroni who as a resurrected being, gave the records into the hands of Joseph Smith in the present dispensation."
Articles of Faith, Ch. 14, Pg. 260.
Dallon H. Oaks
"An early experience of the Prophet Joseph Smith's provides an illustration of the importance of proper motive in the service of the Lord. When the young prophet first went to Cumorah, in 1823, the angel refused to give him the plates containing the Book of Mormon, saying it was not yet time (Joseph Smith History 1:53).During the four years he had to wait before receiving the plates, young Joseph struggled with his motives."
Pure In Heart, Pg. 16.
By divine direction, this young man, Joseph Smith, unearthed a sacred record buried centuries ago in the ancient Hill Cumorah. This record contained the revelations of the Lord to the people that lived upon this the American Continent centuries ago. The scriptures in this holy record are among the most profound ever given to any people or in any dispensation."
Conference Report, April, 1954, Pg. 3.