The following quotes comes from the faithpromoting website martin harriss testimony of the book of mormon. 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. These plates, unknown when the book of mormon was published since they were discovered n 1933, have long been held as proof of the plausibility of ancient records engraved on gold plates. Discussions of book of mormon issues and evidences, plus other topics related to the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. 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 said that the book of mormon was the most correct book of any book on earth. What is the story of a talking salamander in the church of. This is a replica of the alleged gold plates which were given to young joseph smith, founder of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints, by the angel moroni.
The book of mormon tells how he hid the golden plates in the earth at hill cumorah. Kent brown, recovering the missing record of lehi, in from jerusalem to zarahemla. If the book of mormon plates were made of tumbaga, they were probably between 8 and 12 carat gold and thus would have weighed between 53 and 86 pounds. Figurines available at lds bookstore include captain moroni, nephi, alma, lehi, sariah, lds missionaries, joseph smith, and much more. First, he specifically mention 3 witnesses, then a few, and also as many witnesses as seemeth the lord good. New listing gold plates, book of mormon, joseph smith, lds, missionary. Joseph smith glossy poster picture photo latter day saint mormon gold plate 5. Latter day designs action figure, moroni burying gold plates, new in box. Some witnesses described the plates as weighing from 30 to 60 pounds 14 to 27 kg, golden in color, and composed of thin metallic pages engraved with. Rather than the angel moroni, an old spirit directed joseph to the tre. And something about that book has particular interest for latter day saints. 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.
This 1977 gold plates edition of the book of mormon features reformed egyptian characters on the cover. Angel moroni statues atop mormon temples are more than. Upon the pillars rested the plates which shone like bright gold. Joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon is his translation of an ancient book written on gold plates that he found buried in a hill. The book was discovered around 1943 in a tomb in the valley of the struma river in bulgaria. The first part of our book of mormon, from first nephi through. The gold plates that the prophet joseph smith received and translated were the plates of mormon on which mormon and his son moroni2 made their abridgment. Thus, vogel must come up with a counterexplanation for the book of mormon. New church video explains the significance of the gold plates and why we still need them today greyson gurley for latterday saints, the gold plates are immediately associated with the translation of the book of mormon, but when someone asks, what are the gold plates.
A first edition of the book of mormon, the founding text of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints, was auctioned by ebth, an online auction house. The book of mormon is a translation of ancient gold plates, which is not easily understood by our young kids. I saw also lying in the box a round body, wrapped in a white substance, and. Every latterday saint should make the study of the book of mormon a lifetime pursuit. What about the book of mormon witnesses and the gold plates. Some witnesses described the plates as weighing from 30 to 60 pounds 14 to 27 kg, golden in. On september 21, 1823, the angel moroni appeared to joseph smith and instructed him about a record engraved on thin goldlike sheets. Although this story has nothing to do with the stone box that reportedly held the gold plates, we include it since both critics and faithful lds refer to this story to provide parallel evidence for the stone box that held the gold plates. In the summer of 1828, joseph smith let martin harris borrow the first 116 pages of the book of mormons english translation. Jul 20, 2012 bill mckeever is asked about the issue of the book of mormon witnesses seeing the gold plates upon which the book of mormon was supposedly written.
In business since 1995, latterday design has a mission to provide products based on stories and history in the book of mormon and restoration of the gospel through the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The angel said that there was a book written on gold plates which told the story of ancient americans and that it contained the full. Im sure this point has been made many times and is obvious to any serious student of the book of mormon. Joseph smith, history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, 7 volumes, edited by brigham h. Two top plates are made of brass and imprinted with reformed egyptian characters. The abridgments, quotations, and original writings of those book of mormon historians are displayed on. The sealed book of mormon is a translation from 19 plates that are part of 42 plates that are now unsealed. Language the language on the plates is called reformed egyptian. According to latter day saint belief, the golden plates also called the gold plates or in some 19thcentury literature, the golden bible are the source from which joseph smith said he translated the book of mormon, a sacred text of the faith. Considered the oldest book in the history of mankind, it dates to 500 bc and perhaps even earlier.
Although laban only makes a brief appearance in the narrative, his brass plates would later play an important role. Mauricio berger and the sealed book of mormon latterday. Mar 15, 2016 nephi prophesied that there would be multiple groups of people who would see the plates upon which the book of mormon was written. Insights from a book of mormon scholar salt lake city, ut. It is primarily an abridgment of several earlier records by its chief editor and namesake, mormon. A conference was called in november and i was ordained an elder. Tuesday, august 29, 2006 a d for plausibility of the gold plates. Josephs preface and a testimonial written by a group of eight witnesses described the plates as having an appearance of gold.
But, how many know of accounts of the gold plates story which mention smith first discovered the plates with a seer stone. The record, written by moroni 2, his father mormon, and other ancient inhabitants of the americas, was buried in a stone box in a hill not far from the smith residence. The golden plates couldnt be made of pure gold the golden plates couldnt be made of pure gold, new era, july. Dec 31, 20 if the book of mormon plates were made of tumbaga, they were probably between 8 and 12 carat gold and thus would have weighed between 53 and 86 pounds. The entire agreement is reproduced in early mormon documents, vol. According to latter day saint belief, the golden plates also called the gold plates or in some 19thcentury literature, the golden bible are the source from which joseph smith claimed to have translated the book of mormon, a sacred text of the faith. My husband wants to get some sheets of ore to help the kids understand this ancient way of writing. It gave a radically different description of josephs smiths retrieval of the golden plates. Some often joke derisively, oh if only joseph had thought to actually show someone else those plates instead of keeping them to himself, maybe we might believe him. We first learn about them from the visit of the angel moroni to joseph smith on september 21, 1823. Welcome to latter day designs, home of the book of mormon figures.
Latter day designs was founded in 1995 and provides fun and engaging products based on stories and history from the book of mormon and church history. The plates are made of a coppergold alloy and are held together by three dshaped rings, forming a sort of book. I like what denver had to say on the subject, both in his two public posts here and here and in a recent communication with the scriptures committee. Golden plates to book of mormon more about the plates the pages were thin sheets of metal. Replica of gold plates this is a replica of the alleged go. Moroni was a real person, an ancient prophet in the book of mormon who revealed the location of golden plates to the young joseph smith in 1823 from which the sacred book of scripture was translated.
The book of mormon comes forth presents a sharpened picture of an important segment of lds history. Book of mormon plates and records book of mormon central. Archaeologists discover golden plates believed to be. The remaining plates are of a paper composite material colored gold but with no inscriptions. Tvedtnes, contents of the 116 lost pages and the large plates, in the most correct book. 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 latter day saints, joseph smith jr. Moroni burying the gold plates action figure deseret book. The prophet joseph smith translates them by the gift and power of god. If mormons book of mormon plates were made of tumbaga, their weight would have been much less than had they been made of pure gold.
Defending the book of mormon witnesses latterday saints. As is evident from the photograph, this book was created on metal plates that are bound together with metal rings similar to the original source documents that became the book of mormon. How the book of mormon design has changed over the last. But, how many know of accounts of the gold plates story which mention smith first discovered the. Photos of the copies of the book of mormon at the byu libary by kelsey berteaux an edition just.
What happened to the golden plates after joseph smith. Book of mormon latterday commentary last days signs of. Gold plates of the book of mormon miniature representation. They remained safe until moroni, as a heavenly messenger, returned in 1827 and delivered the sacred records to the prophet joseph smith. Unlike many of the other book of mormon characters, laban neither ends up in the new world, nor is he a biblical character. Its a common misconception by people outside the church that joseph smith was the only person who ever saw the golden plates. Joseph only said that the plates had the appearance of gold, not necessarily pure gold completely.
The book of mormon is a complex text with a complicated history. Gold plates book of mormon book of mormon, plates diy, mormon. What is the story of a talking salamander in the church. They love being able to produce high quality items to help teach about the book of mormon. Mar 26, 2020 this 1977 gold plates edition of the book of mormon features reformed egyptian characters on the cover.
Problems with the gold plates of the book of mormon. Jan 04, 2010 it seems only appropriate i should share some interesting mormon trivia. A vision of the gold plates of the book of mormon by john landers 17941892. Our mission is to provide products based on stories and history in the book of mormon and restoration of the gospel through the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Archaeologists discover golden plates believed to be linked. This agreement would come back to haunt smith when these men felt that they should have a share in the book of mormon gold plates. I think thats a really fascinating aspect, and think about this. Aug 07, 2006 discussions of book of mormon issues and evidences, plus other topics related to the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. How the book of mormon design has changed over the last 100.
God has so declared it, so have its writers, so have its witnesses, and so do all those who have read it and received a personal revelation from god as to its truthfulness. Ancient metal plates book of mormon archaeological forum. Who are the few who were permitted to see the plates. The church teaches its members that smith received help from god to translate gold plates engraved with writing in ancient egyptian to create the religions signature scripture, the book of mormon. 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. The book of mormon is to be a standard unto my people. Dimensions according to joseph, the book was 6 x 8 x 6 and each plate was thinner than common tin. Other metals were used to make tablets, plates, and scrolls for recording special histories or ceremonial events. The first witness of the book of mormon plates was to a mary as well, mary whitmer. Our mission is to provide products based on stories and history in the book of mormon and restoration of the gospel through the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. The metal would have to be soft enough to use a stylus so they can understand the difficult process.
Most latterday saints know the essential story of the coming forth of the book of mormon, but there are scores of fascinating details of the saga that are seldom told. Mormons unveil new official logo during coronavirus. Decorate your laptops, water bottles, notebooks and windows. Later that day, workers installed a goldleafed, copper statue of an angel on the tallest spire. Produced in 1982, this commercial copy of the book of mormon included historical and context data relevant to the timelines and stories. 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. Smith claimed to have translated the book of mormon from the plates, which moroni later took back. These distinctions appear to reflect the three witnesses who saw the plates and the angels, the eight witnesses who saw and handled the plates. The golden plates upon which the book of mormon was written have had quite a history, and it is rather well documented. The salamander letter was said to have been written by martin harris in 1830. The angel moroni statue joseph smith and the angel moroni.
The fact that they were buried in stone boxes may also be compelling and significant. 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. The plates were written in a language called reformed egyptian. Putnam made that point in mathematical detail and concluded that the total weight of the plates in joseph smiths charge would have been near the 60pound figure reported by several witnesses.
Witnesses of the golden plates and the book of mormon. How to make the golden plates with kids eve out of the. Welcome to latterday designs, home of the book of mormon figures. Brown connects many littleknown historical fragments with more familiar accounts to present the most complete narrative to date on the restoration and. A reader was kind enough to bring the intriguing realm of professional propmaking for members of the church of latter day saints, more commo. Torlief knaphus is most famous for creating the hill cumorah monument another moroni statue which stands atop the historic lds site believed to be the location where joseph smith received the ancient book of mormon records golden plates from the angel moroni. The liahona that lehi found in the desert worked according to the faith and di a reader was kind enough to bring the intriguing realm of professional propmaking for members of the church of latter day saints, more commo. The church of jesus christ of latter day saints eldoret. A vision of the gold plates of the book of mormon by john landers 17941892 we heard the first sound of the restored gospel through my wifes brother, john cairns, who had been baptized by father blakeslee. As members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, we believe the book of mormon to be the word of god. At times, joseph did not even look at the plates to translate. A large majority of latterday saint mormon temples across the world have a goldleaf statue perched on the top spire.
It does this by teaching his gospel plainly and by exposing his enemies. Prophecies of samuel the lamanite and of the revelations of john. The book of mormon did not get translated from reformed egyptian into english. The purpose of the book of mormon is to bring us to christ. Thus to the extent that one believes the evidence points to a nonhistorical book of mormon, it also points to something other than real gold plates under the cloth. And something about that book has particular interest for latterday saints. Through negligence and disobedience, harris subsequently lost the manuscript, and its contents have never been recovered. This led to a number of attempts to steal the plates from the smiths. The book of mormon gave joseph directions on how to deal with the plates. Featured items newest items bestselling alphabetical. Gold plates of the book of mormon miniature representation church of jesus christ of latterday saints on. This angel statue was the first designed holding the plates in its left arm. Nov 28, 2017 the salamander letter was said to have been written by martin harris in 1830. A couple books that are part of the other 23 plates includes.
Every latterday saint mormon is aware of joseph smiths claim that he discovered golden plates from which the book of mormon was translated. Though some identified the angel as gabriel and others as the angel flying in the midst of heaven, referenced in revelation 14. So, heres everything you need to know, and more, about. The angel moroni statue is slowly lifted to the top of the east spire of the brigham city utah temple 12 july 2011. Book of mormon latterday commentary last days signs. Gold plates book of mormon book of mormon, plates diy. Every latter day saint mormon is aware of joseph smiths claim that he discovered golden plates from which the book of mormon was translated. Mormon, a prophet and military leader who lived at the end of the nephite era c. Latter day saint stickers featuring millions of original designs created by independent artists.