Gold Plates

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Depiction of the Gold Plates as described.

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. 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 Gold Plates were then translated by Joseph Smith from the original reformed Egyptian texts, and then published into the scriptures we have today known as the Book of Mormon.

Description of the Plates

Joseph Smith said that the ancient records were engraven on plates which had the appearance of gold, each plate was six inches wide and eight inches long, and not quite so thick as common tin. They were filled with engravings, in Egyptian Characters, and bound together in a volume as the leaves of a book, with three rings running through the whole. The volume was something near six inches in thickness, a part of which was sealed. The characters on the unsealed part were small, and beautifully engraved. The whole book exhibited many marks of antiquity in its construction, and much skill in the art of engraving.

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. (The term Golden Bible is also used with a negative connotation.) Criticism is aimed at Joseph Smith's claims because of what appear to be historical contradictions if the plates were indeed made out of pure gold. Joseph Smith's written account mentions "gold plates," but others only said they "had the appearance of gold." There is much speculation that the Golden Plates were not comprised of "Pure" gold, rather an alloy; as pure gold likely would have been far too heavy for anyone to carry.

Either way, the golden plates remain a curiosity of the Mormon religion and a symbol of the miraculous workings of the Lord.

Receiving the Plates

In 1820, Joseph Smith had his First Vision in which he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. A few years later he was visited by an angel who identified himself as Moroni and told him of an ancient record. Joseph was shown the location of the gold plates in this vision. After four annual visits from the Angel Moroni, Joseph Smith was entrusted with the plates and the Urim and Thummim for the purpose of translation.

The Golden Plates were received in the early morning hours of September 22, 1827 (about 8 months after his Marriage to Emma Hale on Jan. 18). Joseph borrowed a horse and wagon from a Mr. Knight. At Hill Cumorah he met Moroni who gave him final instructions and a warning, "that I should be responsible for them; that if I should let them go carelessly, or through any neglect of mine, I should be cut off; but that if I would use all my endeavors to preserve them until he, the messenger, should call for them, they should be protected."

Joseph did not show the gold plates to anyone until after they had been translated, although many people, including friends and family, handled the plates through the cloth in which he kept them concealed. Soon after he got the plates, rumors of their existence spread throughout the area. Attempts were made to steal the plates but Joseph kept them well hidden.

The Gold Plates were taken from Joseph Smith for a time when Martin Harris, who was working as scribe, lost the first 116 pages of the translation while keeping them at his home to show his wife. The angel Moroni took the plates and the Urim and Thummim until Joseph repented for his carelessness. When Joseph got them back Martin Harris was no longer allowed to serve as scribe. The translation was completed with Oliver Cowdery as scribe, at which time the golden plates were delivered back to the angel. Since that time many people have spoke concerning the location of the gold plates. The explanation most accepted is that they are in the possession of God.

The Gold Plates After Translation

After the translation was completed, there were several witnesses appointed to testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Three witnesses were shown the plates by the angel. Eight more witnesses were shown the plates by Joseph Smith, and allowed to touch and examine them. Each of the witnesses swore to the authenticity of the Book of Mormon and never recanted their testimony as long as they lived. Their testimony is printed in every copy of the Book of Mormon.

See also

External links

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