The story of the gold plates is an absolutely essential part of the mormon narrative, for in the eyes of many latterday saints, the coming forth of this record, and its subsequent translation into the book of mormon, legitimizes their belief that smith was indeed a prophet sent by god to restore the true christian faith lost long ago due to a. Golden plates to book of mormon the angel moroni showed joseph smith where to find the golden plates. On the golden plates was a history of an ancient man named mormon and his fabled ancient hebrew tribe. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Criticism is aimed at joseph smiths claims because of what appear to be historical contradictions. By the time of his death, 14 years later, he had attracted tens of thousands of followers and founded a religion that continues to the present. How did the book of mormon golden plates get to new.
Mar 02, 2018 but, what never seems to go away for book of mormon critics are those pesky witnesses. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1988, 99111. The gold plates or golden plates also referred to derisively as the golden bible are the material upon which the ancient american prophet mormon wrote his abridgment of the record of his people. What happened to the golden plates after joseph smith finished. While joseph smith had the plates they were constantly at risk. Book of mormon stories mormon writes on the golden plates. Often ignored in lds history is the fate of the stone box in which the golden plates were deposited on hill cumorah and to which joseph was led in 1827. Book of mormontranslationweight of the gold plates fairmormon. Mormon writes book of mormon stories on the golden plates many prophets wrote on the golden plates. We first learn about them from the visit of the angel moroni to joseph smith on september 21, 1823. The records of the nephites, from which the book of mormon was translated, the brass plates, the ball or directors, the sword of laban and other plates. Book of mormon stories the golden plates a cappella.
Pure gold plates would be too soft to hold engraving well. The prophet joseph smith translates them by the gift and power of god. I got an email inquiring about the record coming out of brazil that claims to unseal the book of mormon s missing parts. The book of mormon itself refers to a long tradition of writing historical records on plates, of which the golden plates are a culmination see list of plates latter day saint movement. A longer version of this article was originally published by the neal a. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the plates of mormon translated by joseph smith and show how the other nephite records were used to produce the book of mormon. Witnesses of the book of mormon were consistent in their witness that the plates weighed 4060 pounds. Prayerfully study the introduction and the testimony of the prophet joseph smith, located in the front of the book of mormon or joseph smithhistory 1. Original broadway cast of the book of mormon joseph smith. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up in a hill in new york in the early 1800s. Book of mormon prophecies of christ specific bible prophecies veiled actually nonexistent unless scripture misquoted or prophecies stretched to have two meanings. Nor did he deny his testimony as a witness to the angel, the liahona, golden plates, brass plates, and several other objects on the table in 1829. Two top plates are made of brass and imprinted with reformed egyptian characters. Sal tlay ka siti sal tlay ka siti joseph tried to convince all the villagers to follow him and his golden plates.
The book of mormon itself portrays the golden plates as a historical record, engraved by two precolumbian prophethistorians from around the year ad 400. But, how many know of accounts of the gold plates story which mention smith first discovered the plates with a seer stone. When it first appeared, the book of mormon was attacked for the alleged absurdity of having been written on golden plates and its claim of the existence of an early sixth century b. Some critics assume that the golden plates are pure gold, or that they are a solid block of gold. Dec 19, 2010 i never saw the golden plates, only in a visionary or entranced state. The plates from which joseph translated the book of mormon are called the gold plates and the golden plates interchangeably because it is unknown exactly what they were composed of.
I was reading about the golden plates and it is hysterical, my sides are hurting. What happened to the golden plates after joseph smith. When i was 21 years of age i was working my fathers farm in michigan. The remaining plates are of a paper composite material colored gold but with no inscriptions. Joseph smith claimed he translated the book of mormon from a set of golden plates that were given to him by an angel named moroni. What was the weight of the golden plates from which joseph. My husband wants to get some sheets of ore to help the kids understand this ancient way of writing. A true testimony of the book of mormon comes from reading it and, as counseled by moroni in a promise he left to us in moroni 10.
Metal ore usually has a mixture of various metals in it. Problems with the brass plates of laban by richard packham one of the first dramatic episodes in the book of mormon is the story of how lehis family was able, with gods help, to obtain the brass plates from their custodian laban 1 nephi 3 5. Nevertheless, smith stated that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. The plates were written in a language called reformed egyptian. The book of mormon plates religious studies center. Many latterday saints are intrigued to learn that the book of mormon has changed over time. And, though i was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, and was present during the translation of the plates, and had cognizance of things as they transpired, it is marvelous to me, a marvel and a wonder, as much so as to any one else. Every latterday saint mormon is aware of joseph smiths claim that he discovered golden plates from which the book of mormon was translated. Mormon s son, moroni buried the gold plates in the soil of hill cumorah, where they were found by joseph smith, who learned of their location by revelation and as instructed by the angel moroni.
The sealed portion of the plates contained extremely sacred and important content that the lord has promised to reveal in the future. The plates he held referred to several other sets of plates and records, an understanding of which is necessary to understand the book of mormon. Original broadway cast of the book of mormon joseph. But never did he renounce his faith in the book of mormon. The stone box that held the gold plates ask gramps. After being challenged by a rival attorney during a trial, cowdery affirms that his written testimony of seeing the golden plates is true. What eventually happened to the golden plates that joseph. And what of the many other records that were supposedly hid up in the hill. Jan 02, 2020 in 1823, smith claimed to have been contacted by an angel named moroni, who revealed that there were golden plates at a certain location near palmyra, new york. Book of mormontranslationweight of the gold plates. Take these fucking golden plates awaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay and on the plates were written the directions to a new land.
So allred started adapting the book of mormon into a multipart graphic novel. According to joseph smith, the founder of mormonism, in 1823 the angel moroni guided him to some golden plates buried on a hill near to where he lived. But many people forgot jesus christ and didnt follow him anymore. Gold contact paper i got mine at a craft store, but amazon has some too. I let every person decide for themselves about such claims. In 2004 and 2005 he selfpublished the golden plates, an actiongospelpacked story. On that trunk lay a book of mormon and gold plates, labans sword, aarons breastplate. The book of mormon itself portrays the golden plates as a historical record, engraved by two precolumbian prophethistorians from around the. Did the eleven witnesses actually see the gold plates. Mormon and moroni, the book says, had abridged earlier historical records from other sets of metal plates.
Oliver cowdery testifies in court about the golden plates. Book of mormon prophesy reveals why moroni took the golden. Putnam has argued persuasively that the book of mormon plates that were in joseph smiths hands were of tumbaga. However, the golden plates are just one of many known and reputed metal plates with significance in the latter day saint movement. The book of mormon plates, in first nephi, the doctrinal foundation, ed.
The etymology of zyf and a metallurgical analysis of the book of mormon plates provo, ut. A righteous man named ammaron hid the golden plates so they would be safe. I usually do not comment on claims others make about visitations, angels, etc. This book is very insightful and help to solidify my testimony of the book of mormon. They had been placed there 1,400 years earlier by an ancient prophet named moroni. Jun 23, 2015 provided to youtube by cdbaby book of mormon storiesthe golden plates insideout a cappella sharing time. The book of mormon setting is in or nearby new york. At least seven scribesincluding emma and her brotherwrote as joseph dictated. While the men were viewing these things, they heard a voice that said. According to mormon lore, smith claimed to receive the few plates from moroni in 1827 and from them translated the book of mormon. Joseph smith found the golden plates buried in a hill near his home.
Maxwell institute for religious scholarship as how witnesses described the gold plates, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. How we got the book of mormon recounts the fascinating history of this work of scripture, from the golden plates to the present edition, explaining the changes that occurred with each major version. Logically, the book of mormon plates could have been composed of these two metals. During this visit moroni told joseph that the plates and the urim and thummim were buried nearby, and showed him their location.
Mar 09, 2010 there are a few theories that i am aware of about how the book of mormon plates got from moronis original location to the hill cumorah in new york, where joseph smith found them. The golden plates upon which the book of mormon was written have had quite a history, and it is rather well documented. The reported weight, dimensions, and composition of the gold plates are believable. Mormon abridged this record in his plates, and joseph smith translated it, but since it was lost by martin harris, very little is now known about it except what can be inferred from references in other texts brown, pp. In his book, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, he wrote, r. Golden plates to book of mormon more about the plates the pages were thin sheets of metal. According to latter day saint belief, the golden plates are the source from which joseph smith. When mormon missionaries properly called latter day saints or simply lds come to your door, they will often offer a free copy of the book of mormon and tell you about its author, joseph smith. Smith said that two thirds of the plates were still sealed, and he was not able to view those pages. The term golden bible is also used with a negative connotation. I got da golden plates i gonna lead the people we gotta stick together. Their signed statements are in the front of all copies of the book of mormon.
Once joseph hid them under the bricks of the fireplace. Had they been unalloyed gold, they would have been too heavy for a single person to carry p. You try spraying, scrubbing, and still were left with so many persons whose testimonies of the physicality of the golden plates, angels, and other artifactsnever wavered. Mormon apologist john tvedtnes doubts that the hill cumorah contains any caves. Problems with the gold plates of the book of mormon christian. Archaeologists discover golden plates believed to be linked. Four years later, joseph and his wife, emma, went in a wagon to get the plates. Emma smith witnesses of the golden plates and book of mormon. How to make the golden plates with kids eve out of the garden. To help the children love and value the book of mormon preparation. Different people estimated the weight at 30 to 60 lbs. However, some actors in this audio work, have almost ruined the spiritual experience for me.
Mormon, an ancient american prophet, compiled the records of his people into the book of mormon. Oliver cowdery testifies in court about the golden plates and book of mormon. This book will be convincing to those already certain that the gold plates actually existed and that the eleven witnesses saw them. Joseph smith with divine aid translated much of the golden plates and published the. How we got the book of mormon kindle edition by slaughter. The story of the gold plates is an absolutely essential part of the mormon narrative, for in the eyes of many latterday saints, the coming forth of this record, and its subsequent translation into the book of mormon, legitimizes their belief that smith was indeed a prophet sent by god to restore the true christian faith lost long ago due to a great apostasy. The mormon church owns the property and it certainly has the financial means to do so. Music, lyrics and book by trey parker, matt stone and robert lopez. Some of them, did not carry the spirit as they should have done and their acting was very comic book type. Givens in littleknown facts in mormon history writes. Thomas stuart fergusons archaeological search for the book of mormon. After the translation was completed, however, joseph reported that he returned the plates to the angel. Thomas stuart fergusons archaeological search for the book of mormon larson, stan on. Once the plates were removed, neither the prophet nor anyone else appeared interested in the fate of the stone box itself.
The golden plates couldnt be made of pure gold the golden plates couldnt be made of pure gold, new era, july. Known as the book of mormon, he said i told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book of earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. Joseph smith claimed he translated the book of mormon from anciently engraved gold plates, which he took from a stone box in the side of a hill near his home in manchester, new york. Emma hale smith bidamon was born on july 10, 1804, to isaac and elizabeth hale. Perhaps one should not expect that a book about the witnesses to the book of mormon published by deseret book company would be anything other than an attempt to strengthen the readers faith in the book of mormon. What i understand of continue reading bogus brazilian book of mormon. Late at night, smith took a horse and carriage to the hill cumorah with emma. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up. Allamerican prophet by original broadway cast of the book of mormon ft. This tracker aligns perfectly with our lessons and the dates in the manual from the church of jesus christ of latter day saints for 2020. On 22 september 1823, after receiving repeated instruction from the angel moroni, joseph smith went to a large hill convenient to his fathers home.
The text of the book of mormon itself refers to nephis seeking ore from which to make his plates. The question of the reality of the plates is really important to the faith of mormons and how we see the book of mormon. These plates have been revealed by the power of god, and they have been translated by the power of god. Naturalistic theory of the gold plates building on ann. Disturbing early versions of the golden plates accounts. An account written by the hand of mormon, upon plates taken from the plates of nephi palmyra, ny. The etymology of zyf and a metallurgical analysis of the book of mormon plates online pdf, accessed november, 2015, 79. There are a few theories that i am aware of about how the book of mormon plates got from moronis original location to the hill cumorah in new york, where joseph smith found them. December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement. Most of the book of mormon was translated there by revelation to joseph smith. Joseph smiths golden plate story debunked reasons for jesus. Joseph smith could neither write nor dictate a coherent and wellworded letter.
Manchester, ny a team of archaeologists excavating a drumlin known as mormon hill or the cumorah, in western new york, have discovered a set of gold plates which they believe could be linked to the founder of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, joseph smith jr. Nov 27, 2019 faithful members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints believe that the prophet joseph smith received a set of metal plates which had the appearance of gold. Translating the golden plates lds video encyclopedia. I present these women and their accounts in no particular order. This is a good project for celebration of the feast of trumpets, when joseph got the gold plates from moroni.
Jun 17, 2014 the story of the gold plates is an absolutely essential part of the mormon narrative, for in the eyes of many latterday saints, the coming forth of this record, and its subsequent translation into the book of mormon, legitimizes their belief that smith was indeed a prophet sent by god to restore the true christian faith lost long ago due to a. Where can i find out what happened to the golden plates when joseph smith finished the translation of the book of mormon. Most of the audio actors in the golden plates dramatized story of the book of mormon, are really great actors. The golden plates were the plates that mormon and moroni had inscribed the book of mormon on. Although the plates did not seem to be used for the translation of the book of mormon, the number of people that saw, felt, hefted, or otherwise experienced the plates provide a strong reason for latterday saints faith. See book of mormon central, what kind of ore did nephi use to make the plates. They wrote about jesus christ and about how to keep the commandments. When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon. After martin left he affiliated with many sects from the quakers to breakoff lds factions. Richard e turley jr does a fantastic job describing the events surrounding the different editions and how the book of mormon has evolved over time. Smith apparently collected these plates, took them home, and subsequently translated them into the book of mormon which he then published in 1830. Moroni traveled from central america where he was originally. When joseph got the plates, the angel instructed him to carry them back to the hill cumorah, which he did.
The story of their discovery is supported by a large number. Book of mormon christ is completely accepted in bible he is rejected. Original broadway cast recording joseph smith american moses performed by nikki m james and the company. Book of mormon come follow me tracker is a fun way to track the progress of your come follow me lessons. Oliver says that when joseph and oliver went there, the hill opened, and they walked into a cave, in. What was the weight of the golden plates from which joseph smith translated the book of mormon. Problems with the gold plates of the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a translation of ancient gold plates, which is not easily understood by our young kids. Martin harris frequently told people that he did not see the golden plates and the angel with his natural eyes but rather with spiritual eyes or the eye of faith. Book of mormon plates and records the encyclopedia of. Emma smith bidamon a witness of the book of mormon. When he was finished translating the plates he gave them back to the angel who he claimed has them in his charge joseph smith history 1. How we got the book of mormon is a very well written description of the history of the book of mormon.
How did the book of mormon golden plates get to new york. Richard bushman said unbelieving historians repress material evidence coming from eyewitnesses close to joseph smith who consistently wrote and acted as if he had the book of mormon plates. After joseph smith completed the translation of the book of mormon, the three witnesses and the eight witnesses were allowed to see and handle the plates. How did joseph smith carry home the golden plates of the book of mormon, and how did the witnesses lift them so easily. The reason why moroni took the plates back from joseph is surprisingly apparent right within the book of mormon. The angel moroni showed joseph smith where to find the golden plates. I wrote a great deal of the book of mormon myself, as joseph smith translated or spelled the words out in english. He may have fabricated some rough approximation of a metallic book, which he allowed some people to pick up or feel under a cloth or perhaps a few got a quick glance.