This article contains seventeen witnesses of different people who saw or handled the gold plates. In 2004 and 2005 he selfpublished the golden plates, an actiongospelpacked story starring nephi, omni, jacob, and. An account written by the hand of mormon, upon plates taken from the plates of nephi palmyra, ny. Since then, researchers have found several examples of ancient metal plates, gold plates, and plates with rings. The reason why moroni took the plates back from joseph is surprisingly apparent right within the book of mormon. When some people interested in the book of mormon ask to see the golden plates, they are disappointed to learn that joseph returned them to moroni. Archaeologists discover golden plates believed to be.
The gold plates are records of gods dealing with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contain the fullness of the everlasting gospel of jesus christ. First, he specifically mention 3 witnesses, then a few, and also as many witnesses as seemeth the lord good. The video is the third in book of mormon centrals evidence video series, the two previous videos being one on the archaeological evidence for the place called nahom, mentioned by nephi 1 nephi 16. On these plates was inscribed the text of the book of mormon, which he tra. In the years leading up to joseph getting his hands on the plates, it was his whole reason for living. Joseph smith declared that an angel of god directed him to gold plates, which contained the writings of prophets in ancient america, and that he translated those plates by divine powers. Every latterday saint mormon is aware of joseph smiths claim that he discovered golden plates from which the book of mormon was translated. The prophet joseph smith translates them by the gift and power of god. This paper examines the documentary evidence surrounding these empirical events to discover what information they offer about what terryl givens calls the pure physicality of the plates. While joseph smith had the plates they were constantly at risk. Bill mckeever is the founder and president of mormonism research ministry. The plates were written in a language called reformed egyptian. 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. The golden plates upon which the book of mormon was written have had quite a history, and it is rather well documented.
An audio narration that briefly describes the gold plates and the sacred ancient record that was translated into what is now known as the book of mormon. Dialogue about mormonism between believers and skeptics. Part of the plates were sealed so they couldnt be opened. 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. But, what never seems to go away for book of mormon critics are those pesky witnesses. Problems with the gold plates of the book of mormon. But never did he renounce his faith in the book of mormon. Joseph smiths golden plate story debunked reasons for jesus. The golden plates couldnt be made of pure gold the golden plates couldnt be made of pure gold, new era, july. After the translation was complete, joseph said he returned the plates to the angel making them unavailable today for examination. Top 10 embarrassments of the mormon religion listverse. So allred started adapting the book of mormon into a multipart graphic novel.
The mormon church owns the property and it certainly has the financial means to do so. According to mormon lore, smith claimed to receive the few plates from moroni in 1827 and from them translated the book of mormon. How to make the golden plates with kids eve out of the garden. Without the gold plates, the book of mormon is relegated to nothing more than a nineteenthcentury fictional novel. Book of mormon plates and records the encyclopedia of mormonism. 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. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets. The plates of mormon, which, except for the sealed portion, were subsequently translated by joseph smith, are known today as the gold plates. The history of when david whitmer, oliver cowdery and martin harris saw the golden plates of the book of mormon. A close look at the book of mormon fraser, gordon holmes on. Book of mormon prophesy reveals why moroni took the golden. A prophet named mormon made a shorter account of the writings on golden plates, and his son, moroni, buried the plates in a hill. If mormon s book of mormon plates were made of tumbaga, their weight would have been much less than had they been made of pure gold. According to the book of mormon itself, the golden plates were engraved by two precolumbian.
The sealed portion of the plates contained extremely sacred and important content that the lord has promised to reveal in the future. Book of mormon book of mormon, gold plates book of. For decades the descendants of lehi, the lightskinned nephites and the darkskinned lamanites, warred against each other until both sides met for a final battle in the land. The question of the reality of the plates is really important to the faith of mormons and how we see the book of mormon. Maxwell institute for religious scholarship as how witnesses described the gold plates, journal of book of mormon studies, vol. According to joseph smiths later accounts, three years after he experienced his first vision of deity. The book of mormon itself portrays the golden plates as a historical record, engraved by two precolumbian prophethistorians from around the year ad 400. 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. 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. 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. Who are the few who were permitted to see the plates. These distinctions appear to reflect the three witnesses who saw the plates and the angels, the eight witnesses who saw and handled the plates.
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. Problems with the gold plates of the book of mormon christian. Download the book of mormon redaction chart to show the structure of the golden plates. Desperate mopologists claim ancient bulgarian goldplate find proves truth of 19thcentury book of mormon fairy tale well, here is the opportunity to put their own dna arguments onto their golden plates and serve it to them cold. On that trunk lay a book of mormon and gold plates, labans sword, aarons breastplate. Mormon apologist john tvedtnes doubts that the hill cumorah contains any caves. Callister, the book of mormon a book from god, ensign, november 2011, online at. 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. 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. The reported weight, dimensions, and composition of the gold plates are believable. Archaeologists discover golden plates believed to be linked. David whitmer, and martin harris see the testimony of three witnesses, book of mormon. 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.
The three witnesses see the golden plates and the angel moroni. Joseph smith gave this account of of when he, whitmer, cowdery and harris were shown the golden plates. Jan 30, 2018 see book of mormon central, what kind of ore did nephi use to make the plates. The etymology of zyf and a metallurgical analysis of the book of mormon plates provo, ut. Book of mormon plates and records the encyclopedia of.
Criticism is aimed at joseph smiths claims because of what appear to be historical contradictions. Where can i find out what happened to the golden plates when joseph smith finished the translation of the book of mormon. The dramatized golden plates audio series on cd living. He is working on a book about the gold plates, which latterday saints believe tell the religious history of peoples in the ancient americas and which smith said he translated into english. The lds teach that these verses are speaking of two sticks which are the bible or the stick of judah, and the book of mormon or the stick of joseph. The precious metal that the world will go for even to the extent of penning the rivers and streams to find its course of origin whether that gold plate was really gold. In this article they state that the archelogist believe that the plates that were found could be linked to joseph smith and were in fact the original gold plates from which the book of mormon was translated from. Oliver cowdery went with the prophet joseph when he deposited these plates. Attacks against the book of mormon have experienced a kind of mission creep since its publication in 1830. January 612 i will go and do 1 nephi 17 come, follow me lesson aids. Oct 11, 2011 so allred started adapting the book of mormon into a multipart graphic novel.
The gold plates and the translation of the book of mormon according to joseph smiths later accounts, three years after he experienced his first vision of deity, an angel appeared to him in 1823 and told him of an ancient record written on gold plates. 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. How to make the golden plates with kids eve out of the. The story of their discovery is supported by a large number. My husband wants to get some sheets of ore to help the kids understand this ancient way of writing. The etymology of zyf and a metallurgical analysis of the book of mormon plates online pdf, accessed november, 2015, 79. 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, how many know of accounts of the gold plates story which mention smith first discovered the plates with a seer stone. When told that several witnesses did see and handle them, they ask, what did they look like. They had been placed there 1,400 years earlier by an ancient prophet named moroni.
Had they been unalloyed gold, they would have been too heavy for a single person to carry p. The book of mormon is a translation of ancient gold plates, which is not easily understood by our young kids. Jun 23, 2015 provided to youtube by cdbaby book of mormon storiesthe golden plates insideout a cappella sharing time. This series recreates the faithbuilding stories of people like lehi, nephi, abinadi, alma, samuel the lamanite, helaman and the stripling warriors, general mormon and his son moroni. Mormon metallurgist reed putnam estimates that if the plates were made of pure gold, they would have probably weighed around 100 pounds.
The resurrected moroni gave the plates to joseph smith, who translated the writing on the plates with the help of heavenly father. Joseph smith with divine aid translated much of the golden plates and published the. Mar 02, 2018 but, what never seems to go away for book of mormon critics are those pesky witnesses. Mormon, a prophet and military leader who lived at the end of the nephite era c. Prediction of the book of mormon part 2 talking to mormons. But second, joseph is clarifying that this was the title page of the original book of mormon. This account may come across as a little too convenient and. Givens in littleknown facts in mormon history writes. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon.
Dec 07, 2017 first, it refers to the original writings on the plates. The book of mormon ends by describing the demise of the nephite people at the hands of their lamanite counterparts. Based on these parameters, modern researchers have estimated plates of pure gold would weigh at least 45 kilograms 100 pounds and might be too soft for engraved characters. The plates were gonna give him the whole story of the book of mormon so he could save all the sinners who have been worshipping at churches, god or god, said were an. After the translation was completed, however, joseph reported that he returned the plates to the angel. 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. Joseph smith with divine aid translated much of the golden plates and published the translation. Mormon and moroni, the book says, had abridged earlier historical records from other sets of metal plates. The three witnesses are shown the golden plates by the angel, moroni. Reports of gold plates being found stem from a fake news. 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. Gold contact paper i got mine at a craft store, but amazon has some too. Joseph smith found the golden plates buried in a hill near his home. 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.
Joseph smith claimed that he translated the book of mormon from a set of golden plates, that were given to him by an angel. Experience the faithbuilding stories in the book of mormon with the dramatized golden plates. In his book, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, he wrote, r. This graphic novelcomic book adaptation was first illustrated in 2005 by award winning artist michael allred.
In 2004 and 2005 he selfpublished the golden plates, an actiongospelpacked story. The golden plates were the plates that mormon and moroni had inscribed the book of mormon on. Putnam has argued persuasively that the book of mormon plates that were in joseph smiths hands were of tumbaga. Such was the condition of the plates, from which came the book of mormon. As may be seen by an allusion in the book of ether, all that was on them is not translated. Instead the book of mormon is demonstrably a compilation of kjv bible passages, commentary on those bible passages, identifiable american folklore that was popular in smiths day, and evangelical protestant influences where smith grew up.
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. What happened to the golden plates after joseph smith finished. We first learn about them from the visit of the angel moroni to joseph smith on september 21, 1823. The term golden bible is also used with a negative connotation. Brigham young gave a somewhat similar, secondhand account on june 17, 1877. Joseph showed the plates to christian whitmer, hiram page, jacob whitmer, joseph smith sr. Confusion about the golden plates moronis america the. Once the plates were removed, neither the prophet nor anyone else appeared interested in the fate of the stone box itself. The gold plates that the prophet joseph smith received and translated were the plates of mormon on which mormon and his son moroni 2 made their abridgment. This is a good project for celebration of the feast of trumpets, when joseph got the gold plates from moroni. This is the first time ive heard that in conference could be wrong here. The book of mormon is a revelation, not a translation. January 19 come and partake of the fruit 1 nephi 810 free exclusive.
Mormon, an ancient american prophet, compiled the records of his people into the book of mormon. What happened to the golden plates after joseph smith. During this visit moroni told joseph that the plates and the urim and thummim were buried nearby, and showed him their location. 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 prefer were kept. The whole issue of the golden plates have left me scratching my head. Premium edition six issue collection, contains all 6 issues of an adaptation of the fifth best selling book of all time, the book of mormon, which has sold over 120 million copies. The gold plates and the translation of 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 to restore the true christian faith lost long ago due to a. Four years later, joseph and his wife, emma, went in a wagon to get the plates. New church video explains the significance of the gold. Book of mormon the idea of an ancient record on gold plates was one of the most mocked claims of joseph smith.
Elder ulisses soares just gave a talk about how it is best to think about the book of mormon production as a revelation rather than a translation. From ammons humble mission among the lamanites to the triumphant appearance of the resurrected savior, youll. The angel moroni showed joseph smith where to find the golden plates. Desperate mopologists claim ancient bulgarian goldplate find. Thomas stuart fergusons archaeological search for the book of mormon larson, stan on. They believe these two records have now been joined together, constituting a complete fulfillment of a great prophecy spoken of in 2 nephi 3. After martin left he affiliated with many sects from the quakers to breakoff lds factions. Golden plates to book of mormon more about the plates the pages were thin sheets of metal. Joseph smith was careful to obey the command from the lord that he not show the plates to others.
Josephs preface and a testimonial written by a group of eight witnesses described the plates as having an appearance of gold. Smith apparently collected these plates, took them home, and subsequently translated them into the book of mormon which he then published in 1830. The present english book of mormon, however, is not simply a translation of all those gold plates. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. Because of this they are unavailable for examination today. 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. Nephi prophesied that there would be multiple groups of people who would see the plates upon which the book of mormon was written.
There are numerous examples of ancient writing on metal plates. Once joseph hid them under the bricks of the fireplace. 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. However, the golden plates are just one of many known and reputed metal plates with significance in the latter day saint movement. Smith did not use the golden plates to translate the book of mormon. That is why it is so important to look at what the title page tells us was in the original book of mormon. 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.
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