My argument, however, is, in a nutshell, that the book of mormon establishes a. According to latter day saint belief, the golden plates are the source from which joseph smith said he translated the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a sacred text 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. The book of mormon itself portrays the golden plates as a historical record, engraved by two precolumbian prophethistorians from around the year ad 400. It shows to our best ability the 23 portion that was. The story of the golden plates consists of how, according to joseph smith and his contemporaries, the plates were found, received from the angel moroni, translated, and returned to the angel before the publication of the book of mormon. According to the text, the first seven chapters were written by the prophet mormon and the last two by his son moroni. The book of mormon comes forth presents a sharpened picture of an important segment of lds history and how the book of mormon came to the worlds attention. The book of mormon by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone memorabilia available the book of mormon is a religious satire musical with a book, lyrics, and music by trey parker, robert lopez, and matt stone. Pure gold plates would be too soft to hold engraving well. Nov 03, 2017 this video by book of mormon central 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 with the appearance of gold which he translated by the gift and power of god. Dimensions according to joseph, the book was 6 x 8 x 6 and each plate was thinner than common tin. The sealed plates general discussions mormon dialogue. Read on to learn 10 things you didnt know about the angel moroni statue.
The entire agreement is reproduced in early mormon documents, vol. How did joseph smith translate the plates from which the. Metals, weapons, and the book of mormon mormon answers. The people described in the book of mormon came from ancient israel and so likely spoke hebrew in the beginning. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence that proves the book of mormon. Critics have complained about book of mormon references to metals and weapons, arguing that they are out of place and evidence of a sloppy fraud. They had been working on the book of mormon at the time. Charting the book of mormon is a collection of more than 175 visual aids that promote deeper understanding and appreciation of the book of mormon. Mar 09, 2010 how did the book of mormon golden plates get to new york. Book of mormon plates and records the encyclopedia of. While martin is often best known for losing the 116 page manuscript, there are a number of important ways he helped bring the book of mormon forth. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets. The 2003 south park depiction of the book of mormon s translation process turns out to be more accurate than sanitized lds images of joseph smith poring over the golden plates. More precious than all the gold and silver of england, the book of mormon continued to forward the work of the church in britain.
Diane wirth has suggested that the disk fragment shown at left contains a celestial band, with glyphs for the moon and the center of the sky. But for those interested in understanding the text, there are some answers that should be considered. Brass plates mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. The book of mormon comedy, musical two young latterday saints are sent on a mission to convince the people of a small village in uganda to become part of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Thus, vogel must come up with a counterexplanation for the book of mormon. 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.
Because we do not have the original plates to examine, its impossible to identify the language used to make the ancient record. 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. 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. This would mean that in 1830 when the book of mormon came forth unto the gentiles, god had already begun to gather israel to the lands of their inheritance. I told the brethren 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 records, hidden long ago, an ancient story told. 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 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. Plates of gold book of mormon archaeological forum. Colors in the book of mormon book of mormon notes how. We titled our production after bonnies original hymn, the book of mormon has come forth, and i arranged all the hymns for choir and soloists. Either the sealed part of the gold plates and this book spoken of by john cover much the same history or they could well be. The book of mormon the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Reminiscences of joseph smith edward stevenson 1893. On february 1, 2018, national geographic broke a story about some incredible new discoveries in mesoamerican archaeology using new technology. How did martin harris help bring forth the book of mormon. Dec 07, 2017 thats because the plates of nephi were not in the original book of mormon. 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. After all, we know that the sealed portion of the book of mormon will not come forth in a day of wickedness millennium.
God himself who shall come down among the children of. Eight men, called the eight witnesses, saw and touched the plates. This led to a number of attempts to steal the plates from the smiths. At this point, our son john perry took charge of the project and we hired merrill jenson as our orchestrator. These included the book of mormon in its original 1831 edition, and three other early studies of the mormons, with extensive, lurid chapters covering their polygamy. In byu magazine spring 2008 this book was called a fascinating, very readable volume fraught with many wellknown, littleknown, and generally unknown details about the coming forth of the book of mormon. 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. According to oliver cowdery and joseph smith their baptism took place on 15 may 1829 in the susquehanna river at harmony, susquehanna county, pennsylvania.
It was first published in 1830 in palmyra, new york, and was thereafter widely reprinted and translated. 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. Joseph smith received with the breastplate and the plates of the book of mormon, the urim and thummim, which were hid up by moroni to come forth in the last days as a means by which the ancient record might be translated, which urim and thummim were given to the brother of jared. The coming forth of the book of mormon began long before joseph smith received the gold plates from the hands of the angel moroni. And for this intent shall they gothat they may be persuaded that jesus is the christ, the son of the living god. God knows the book of mormon, another witness of jesus christ, is true. Even primary children know the iconic angel moroni statue goes on top of their pictures of the temple, but when was the last time you actually stopped to look at it. Olmec archaeological finds have discovered a city near san lorenzo beginning at the same time with the same social organization and the makings of monuments that coincide with the account in the book of mormon.
Book of mormontranslationweight of the gold plates fairmormon. 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. The script was said to be egyptian characters like those on the gold plates of the book of mormon. The coming forth of the book of mormon quorum of the twelve apostles elder ulisses soares speaks during the saturday afternoon session of the 190th annual general conference on april 4, 2020. Of course steel didnt exist at the time, wouldnt work well for a bow anyway, and would be hard to break. This is a 3d printed scale replica of the gold plates translated by joseph smith into the book of mormon. This first part isnt with helaman, which is the book weve been studying, but it has to do with scripture study. Joseph smith said 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 history of the church, vol. In doing so, they will have to give attention to certain facts. The book of mormon was translated and published in 1830. When moroni was finishing the book of mormon record, he was commanded to seal up some of the plates, and joseph smith was later commanded not to translate them. Joseph smith did not obtain possession of the plates until september 1827, and he then moved to harmony, pennsylvania. Youll examine, in detail, the objects that joseph smith found in the stone box, and come to know those who were allowed to handle the sacred engravings.
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. Smith is the only source for a great deal of the story because much of it occurred while he was the only human witness. The book of mormon comes forth receiving gifts of the spirit prophecies. They come to a place that they call bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey. What about the book of mormon witnesses and the gold plates. Investigator 46, 1996 january repeated efforts to get mormons to answer a typed essay titled notes on the book of mormon failed. If you want to know what god knows, live the commandments of jesus christ, and read the book of mormon, another witness of jesus christ, and pray to an all wise and righteous god, and find out the truth for yourself. The plates were written in a language called reformed egyptian. 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. This model was created using joseph smiths description as well as the description of others who handled or saw the gold plates as a guide.
This sealed portion contains the complete record of the vision of the brother of jared see ether 4. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to. Some critics assume that the golden plates are pure gold, or that they are a solid block of gold. View the original article at the book of mormon resources blog. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. The nephites keep the law of moses, look forward to the coming of christ, and prosper in the landmany prophets labor to keep the people in the way of truth. This linked the bell shaped plates to the book of mormon and the book of abraham both dictated by joseph smith. Origin of the book of mormon, golden plates, and criticism of. On 22 september 1823, after receiving repeated instruction from the angel moroni, joseph smith went to a large hill convenient to his fathers home.
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. Designed for multiple use as study guides, handouts, and masters for creating projectable images, the charts convey a wealth of information that will enrich personal study and teaching. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come. It is clear that faithful missionaries and their converts came to see the book of mormon as a vital key in the latterday work. But, how many know of accounts of the gold plates story which mention smith first discovered the plates with a seer stone. 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.
For those who hold the belief that joseph smith, an american, wrote this book of fiction, this is incredible to me. Dear michael, thanks for providing a perfect example of what ive noted before. Another testament of jesus christ, is true, not false. Archaeologists discover golden plates believed to be. He was josephs first scribe for two months, he carried some of the characters from the plates to scholars back east, and was one of the three witnesses. The book of mormon comes forth presents a sharpened picture of an important segment of lds history. It is claimed that a number of items or concepts in the book of mormon are not consistent with what is known about ancient. Martin harris and emma were also scribes for a short time. The label golden bible predates the book of mormon, as legends of such an artifact circulated. He wrote down the words as joseph read them out loud. The golden plates couldnt be made of pure gold the golden plates couldnt be made of pure gold, new era, july.
Can mormon scholars devise a new theory to accommodate the evidence from the book of mormon manuscript. Incredible video explains the story of the plates of mormon. Book of mormontranslationweight of the gold plates. Finally, the plates contained a more extensive account of old testament peoples and events than the bible see 1 nephi 5. Joseph smith, american prophet and founder of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Evidence from the book of mormon manuscript mormonthink. Golden plates to book of mormon more about the plates the pages were thin sheets of metal. Two top plates are made of brass and imprinted with reformed egyptian characters. After several unsuccessful attempts, smith said he dug up the gold plates on september 22, 1827. It was claimed that the contents newly found kinderhook plates told something about the race of the person with whom they were found. Best known for creating the animated comedy south park, parker and stone cocreated the music with lopez. Language the language on the plates is called reformed egyptian. Witnesses of the book of mormon were consistent in their witness that the plates weighed 4060 pounds. Every latterday saint mormon is aware of joseph smiths claim that he discovered golden plates from which the book of mormon was translated.
Thus, although surviving examples of specifically hebrew writing on gold and bronze platesas opposed to phoenician or other semitic languagesare relatively rare, the. Did the mormon church once promise to show the golden plates to the world. In addition to joseph smith, the lord provided for eleven others to see the. Why are we told about the different metal record plates comprising the book of mormon.
Confusion about the golden plates moronis america the. Mormon and moroni, the book says, had abridged earlier historical records from other sets of metal plates. What happened to the golden plates after joseph smith. Dna vs book of mormon incredible new evidence youtube. Could it be that the unsealing of the book of mormon is the same event as this great millennial vision. The remaining plates are of a paper composite material colored gold but with no inscriptions. He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from. In 1070 there was a civil war in the time of com mentioned in the book of mormon. He also provided the necessary funding to get the book published.
Is moroni actually holding something in his left hand. Learn more about the life, writings, and legacy of joseph smith. 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. Concerning this record the prophet joseph smith said. Do mormons know what happened to the urim and thummim which joseph smith used to translate the book of mormon. I just want to share with you some of the things that i have recently learned in my book of mormon class. The crowning event recorded in the book of mormon is the personal ministry of the lord jesus christ among the nephites soon after his resurrection. The book of mormon has come forth from precious plates of gold. As we study the coming forth of this holy book of scripture in these latter days, we come to realize that the entire undertaking was miraculous from the prophet joseph receiving the gold plates from a holy angel, to its translation by the gift and power of god, its preservation, and publication by the hand of the lord. That work would involve translating a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continentwhat we know.
Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. Smith published the book of mormon in 1830 and shortly thereafter organized a small church of his first followers. Sealed by the hand of moroni, and hid up unto the lord, to come forth in due time by. 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. For some reason, he also ordered a volume of victor hugo, in french, a language he could not read. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids.
The emergence of the book of mormon from its hiding place began on september 21, 1823. Prophets of old prophesied about this sacred book s advent in our day. The book of mormon is the name of a book, or subdivision, of the larger book of mormon. Gold plates origins of the book of mormon scale model etsy. The book of mormon is a complex text with a complicated history. Among these remnants are teachings of four prophets not mentioned in the bible. What is the sealed portion of the book of mormon, and. Gold plates by jerry thompson what was mormons purpose in. And then it came to pass that nephi broke his steel bow.
Mormon, a prophet and military leader who lived at the end of the nephite era c. Plates of gold the book of mormon comes forth brown, matthew b. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. But, what never seems to go away for book of mormon critics are those pesky witnesses. That night, the angel moroni appeared to a young joseph smith, told him that god had a work for him to do joseph smithhistory 1. Joseph smith first baptized oliver cowdery and then cowdery baptized joseph smith. How did the book of mormon golden plates get to new. How did the book of mormon golden plates get to new york. Gold plates by jerry thompson what was mormons purpose in writing the book of mormon. We know that at least three are on display at the national anthropological museum in mexico city, so they may have come from these later finds. Brown connects many littleknown historical fragments with more familiar accounts of the essential story of the books of mormon to present the most complete narrative to date on the. Book of mormon, work accepted as holy scripture, in addition to the bible, in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and other mormon churches.
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