When the angel moroni first appeared to joseph smith on the night of 21 september 1823, he said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates joseph smith history 1. The scriptures suggest two reasons the book of mormon gold plates were not made. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. Book of mormon, 1830, page iii the joseph smith papers. Putnam has argued persuasively that the book of mormon plates that were in joseph smiths hands were of tumbaga. According to joseph smiths later accounts, three years after he experienced his first vision of deity. I couldnt possibly cover every book of mormon correlation in one sitting. Book of mormontranslationdescription of the plates fairmormon.
Bill mckeever shows how science is not a friend to the book of mormon story. That this wicked purpose had been conceived by the evil one and was known to the lord even while mormon, the ancient nephite historian, was making his abridgment of the accumulated plates, is shown in the book of mormon see words of mormon 1. 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. Check out book of mormon centrals new video, detailing the historical evidence for the existence of the book of mormon golden plates. The abridgments, quotations, and original writings of those book of mormon historians are displayed on. Witnesses of the book of mormon were consistent in their witness that the plates weighed 4060 pounds. Besides smith himself, there were at least 11 witnesses who said they saw the plates in 1829, and three also claiming to have been visited by an angel. Many quotations from these plates appear in the book of mormon. Joseph showed the plates to christian whitmer, hiram page, jacob whitmer, joseph smith sr. The book of mormon itself portrays the golden plates as a historical record, engraved by two precolumbian prophethistorians from around the year ad 400. According to wikipedia after translation was complete, smith said he returned the plates to the angel, but he did not elaborate about this experience. That is another 58,000 words for at total of 335,000 words. Many ancient documents such as king benjamins speech or the plates of brass were quoted or abridged by the ancient authors who compiled the books found on the small and large plates of nephi.
Others were later privileged to see the plates and some even hefted them and leafed through the plates themselves. Many people close to the process were moved by the books message and eagerly waited for a renewing of old covenants and the restoration of christs church. 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. Two top plates are made of brass and imprinted with reformed egyptian characters. Book of mormon plates and records the encyclopedia of. The book is made of a set of twelve metal plates, each measuring six inches 15 cm in width, eight inches 20 cm in length approximately half an inch 1. Mormon is allegedly a prophethistorian who was the native american believed by mormons to have written the book of mormon the main religious text of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints mormonism. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. The text of the book of mormon itself refers to nephis seeking ore from which to make his plates. The remaining plates are of a paper composite material colored gold but with no inscriptions. Both mormon and the lord himself commented on the great worth of the small plates of nephi. The translation continues from the rest of the plates of mormon, which were abridged from the large plates of nephi, and includes the books of mosiah, alma, helaman, 3 nephi, 4 nephi, and mormon the last two chapters of which were written by moroni.
Why were the book of mormon gold plates not placed in a museum. Nyman, professor of ancient scripture, brigham young university. Incredible video explains the story of the plates of mormon. The three witnesses see the plates around this date see accounts.
Replica gold plates book of mormon book of mormon, book. The light shines through the window engulfing the small plates and covers much of the large plates. This covenant has been established, like ancient covenants, by three separate sets of plates within the book of mormon. David hocking managing editor, annotated edition of the book of mormon.
Jul 24, 2018 the small plates help directly compensate for the lost 116 pages, and they provide the book of mormon with a muchneeded, spiritually focused introduction. When moroni, about thirtysix years after, made the deposit of the book entrusted to him, he was, without doubt, inspired to select a department of the hill separate from the great depository of the numerous volumes hid up by his father. The book of mormon plates, in first nephi, the doctrinal foundation, ed. The abridgments, quotations, and original writings of those book of mormon historians are displayed on the lefthand and middle columns of this chart and are then shown in relation to the new set of plates produced by mormon and moroni that was delivered to joseph smith by the angel moroni. We may choose to keep our covenants and prosper or break these sacred oaths and be destroyed. 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. Ataglance book of mormon deseret book a quick reference synopsis of the book of mormon. Joseph dictated the original manuscript of the book of mormon from the plates of mormon. Since then, researchers have found several examples of ancient metal plates, gold plates, and plates with rings. The sealed book of mormon kindle edition by mormon, translated from the plates of. Problems with the gold plates of the book of mormon. 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 concluding portion, from mormon, chapter 8, to the end of the volume, was engraved by mormon s son moroni, who, after finishing the record of his fathers life, made an abridgment of the jaredite record as.
The book of mormon witnesses are a group of contemporaries of joseph smith who claimed to have seen the golden plates from which smith translated the book of mormon. The most significant witnesses are the three witnesses and the eight witnesses, all of whom allowed their names to be used on two separate statements included with the book of mormon. The longest portion, from mosiah to mormon, chapter 7, inclusive, is a translation of mormon s abridgment of the large plates of nephi. 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. Book of mormon index of topics mormonism research ministry. Is the book of mormon and gold plates just a huge fraud, just. In 2 nephi 5, in particular, nephi described nine different ways that the lord had prospered them. Moroni showed the plates to oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris see the testimony of three witnesses, book of mormon. Together, the testimony of both the three and the eight witnesses are difficult to explain away. The books within the book of mormon from the words of mormon to fourth nephi, are taken from mormon s abridgment of the large plates.
The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Is the book of mormon and gold plates just a huge fraud. In his book, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, he wrote, r. Some critics assume that the golden plates are pure gold, or that they are a solid block of gold. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. This video explores the history behind the witnesses to the book of mormon and explains why their combined testimony strongly indicates that joseph smith did in fact possess plates which he translated by the gift and power of god. Supporting evidences of the book of mormon are broadly identifiable. The plates of brass contained a copy of the law five books of moses, a history of the jews, lehis genealogy, and the writings of many prophets. A dynamic, interactive, webfriendly presentation of the book of mormon. Archaeologists discover golden plates believed to be. Josephs preface and a testimonial written by a group of eight witnesses described the plates as having an appearance of gold. Thus, the present book of mormon contains only the second account of early nephite history. Packer, in his article cumorahs cave, printed in the journal of book of mormon studies v.
All these records are referred to as plates because they were engraved on thin sheets of metal. The book of mormon is a complex text with a complicated history. The book of mormon and the sealed book of mormon agree that the plates of mormon have three parts to come forth in three different eras until now it has been understood by believers in the book of mormon that the plates of mormon from which it was translated were divided into two parts. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. It is primarily an abridgment of several earlier records by its chief editor and namesake, mormon.
Unfortunately the supposed gold plates joseph smith used to channel the book of mormon from have never been found since he returned them to the angel moroni. Metal ore usually has a mixture of various metals in it. The plates of ether, like the plates of nephi and mormon, witness of the great latterday book of mormon covenant of the eternal god. Oct 23, 2019 book of mormon central teamed up with artist katie payne to create a beautiful and engaging video called the plates of mormon.
According to mormon lore, smith claimed to receive the few plates from moroni in 1827 and from them translated the book of mormon. Oct 23, 2019 book of mormon central teamed up with artist katie payne to create a beautiful and engaging video called the the story of the book of mormon. The angel moroni showed joseph smith where to find the golden plates. Mormonism is a religion less than two centuries old, but in this short time it has managed to accrue a long list of embarrassments which the church leaders would.
The large plates mosiah through moroni were translated before the small plates 1 nephi through the words of mormon see church history in the fulness of times, 59. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Archaeologists discover golden plates believed to be linked. An account written by the hand of mormon, upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. The four families of nephite record keepers of the book of mormon are listed chronologically here, along with their approximate dates of birth and other important information. 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. In this post i wanted to emphasize physical evidencesstuff you can touch, see, feel. Logically, the book of mormon plates could have been composed of these two metals. An account written by the hand of mormon, upon plates taken from the plates of nephi 1852. Archaeology itself can be divided and subdivided into numerous disciplines. Book of mormon plates and records the encyclopedia of mormonism. One possible reason for this is that nephis smaller record clearly outlines the covenant relationship and promised blessings that the lord prepared for his people. There is no evidence that joseph smith ever translated anything, including the golden plates into the book of mormon. Joseph smith translated two sets of plates book of.
Sjodahl journal of book of mormon studies 101 2001. The book of mormon was written by many ancient prophets who recorded their words on different sets of metal plates. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the church of the latter day saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Although the large plates were intended for the more secular history of the nephites, it is obvious from the version available in the book of mormon that there was a good deal of spiritual content as well. An account written by the hand of mormon, upon plates taken from the plates of nephi 1852 smith jr. The plates of brass were the basic scriptures of the nephite nation, and for centuries their prophets read them, quoted them in sermons, and.
Gold and silver are often mixed together in an alloy called electrum. Smith claimed the angel moroni, a prophet in the book of mormon, directed him in the 1820s to a hill near his home in palmyra, new york where the plates were buried. Joseph smith translated two sets of plates book of mormon. The first portion the first six books, ending with omni is a translation from the small plates of nephi. 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. Book of mormon evidence come follow me supplementary study podcasts. The plates of mormon also contain the book of lehi which was 116 pages of about 36 lines per page and 14 words per line see. Book of mormon the idea of an ancient record on gold plates was one of the most mocked claims of joseph smith. Sep 17, 2019 and all the ancient plates, mormon deposited in cumorah, about three hundred and eightyfour years after christ.
Using only the text of the book of mormon as the narration, get a. The influence of the brass plates on the teachings of nephi. The first edition of the book of mormon was typeset from that printers manuscript. Timeline of the book of mormon translation scott woodward. The missing small plates of nephi grego 2015 the prophesy of the coming of christ 600 years after lehi left jerusalem is a very clear prophecy throughout nephis records, appearing three times. Book of mormon plates and records book of mormon central. The gold plates and the translation of the book of mormon. Fairmormons reinterpretation of this non mormon s words to mean the gael when the non mormon s which he took from the plates from which the book of mormon was translated clearly refers to the anthon transcript or josephs own personal document which he copied the hieroglyphics from the gold plates is unfounded. The book of mormons description of sacred records written on bronze plates fits quite nicely in the cultural milieu of the ancient eastern mediterranean recent reevaluation of the evidence now points to the fact that the book of mormons description of sacred records written on bronze plates fits quite nicely in the cultural milieu of the ancient eastern mediterranean. The book of mormon plates religious studies center. These distinctions appear to reflect the three witnesses who saw the plates and the angels, the eight witnesses who saw and handled the plates.
Some of these records were comparable to certain books now found in the old testament, but others did not find their way into the bible. Mormon and moroni, the book says, had abridged earlier historical records from other sets of metal plates. In the unfolding book of mormon text, joseph smith found answers to some of the questions that had brought him to the sacred grove as a 14yearold boy. Josephs prophecies as contained in the book of mormon via the brass plates consist of predictions concerning. Sep, 2019 that this wicked purpose had been conceived by the evil one and was known to the lord even while mormon, the ancient nephite historian, was making his abridgment of the accumulated plates, is shown in the book of mormon see words of mormon 1. The plates are made of a coppergold alloy and are held together by three d. The resultant book of mormon so called after an ancient american prophet who, according to smith, had compiled the text recorded on the plates recounts the history of a family of israelites that migrated to america centuries before jesus christ and. Written by prophets to a people who lived in america long before white people ever came, some believe they were the beginnings of some native indian tribes. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1988, 99111. The book of mormon comprises fifteen main parts or divisions, known, with one exception, as books, each designated by the name of its principal author. Sorenson, agreed that putnams explanation helps solve the weight problem. The facts are that he mistranslated portions of the bible, as well as the book of abraham, the kinderhook plates. Palmyra, known as swifts landing and tolland before being renamed palmyra, 1796.
If a date is not found in or tied directly to a specific verse, then the information has been deduced from general historical information. The plates of ether and the covenant of the book of mormon. The volume has long invited scrutiny from all branches of science. Bill mckeever explains in a conference talk how the book of mormon, if made of gold plates, would have weighed around 200 pounds. Book of mormon, 1830, page 123 the joseph smith papers. See more ideas about book of mormon, lds art and book of mormon stories. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. Book of mormon, 1840, page 0 the joseph smith papers. This piece received an honorable mention in the 2019 book of mormon central art contest. Copying that original manuscript, parts of which survive today, oliver cowdery prepared a printers manuscript owned by the rlds church. Between the books of omni and mosiah is an insert called the words of mormon. After the translation was completed, however, joseph reported. Using only the text of the book of mormon as the narration, get a glimpse of the fatherson relationship between mormon and moroni, as they strive to pass the plates along to where we have it today as the book of mormon. So in the spring and summer of 1820, eight joseph with martin harris and his wife emma working as described began the translation of the book of mormon, those involved with the translation of the book of mormon said that joseph initially used the stones found with the plates.
Five compelling archeological evidences for the book of mormon. According to latter day saint belief, the golden plates are the source from which joseph smith said he translated the book of mormon, a sacred text of the faith. These records were later abridged to create the plates of mormon, or the gold plates that joseph smith translated. The plates are made of a coppergold alloy and are held together by three dshaped rings, forming a sort of book. This handy sheet fits in most scripture cases and makes a great resource for seminary, institute. The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ.
Brass plate passage by isaiah quoted by nephi book of mormon. Book of mormon central teamed up with artist katie payne to create a beautiful and engaging video called the plates of mormon. The abridgments, quotations, and original writings of those book of mormon historians are displayed on the lefthand and middle columns of this chart and are then shown in relation to the new set of plates produced by mormon and moroni. First, he specifically mention 3 witnesses, then a few, and also as many witnesses as seemeth the lord good.
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