Latter Day Saint Inscribed Plates: A Comprehensive Overview
The history and theology of the Latter Day Saint movement are deeply intertwined with the concept of inscribed plates—ancient records engraved on metal. These artifacts serve as the foundational sources for several key texts, most notably the Book of Mormon, and have been the subject of both faith and historical scrutiny.
Key Facts
- The Golden Plates were discovered by Joseph Smith in 1823 and published as the Book of Mormon in 1830.
- The Brass Plates contained Jewish records similar to the Old Testament.
- The Jaredite plates provided the record of the Jaredites, later abridged as the Book of Ether.
- Some plates, such as the Kinderhook plates, were later identified as forgeries.
The Foundational Plates of the Book of Mormon
The most significant artifact in the movement is the set of Golden Plates. Discovered by Joseph Smith in 1823, these plates were translated and published in 1830 as the Book of Mormon. However, the narrative within the Book of Mormon describes several other sets of plates that contributed to the final record.
The Brass Plates
The Brass Plates were a collection of Jewish records retrieved by Nephi under the direction of his father, Lehi. These records were similar to the Old Testament and covered history up to the time of the prophet Jeremiah.
The Plates of Nephi
Nephi maintained two distinct sets of records:
- The Large Plates: These served as the primary source for the text that was later abridged by the prophet Mormon and engraved onto the Golden Plates.
- The Small Plates: These contained the first and second books of Nephi, as well as the books of Jacob, Enos, Jarom, and Omni, all of which were subsequently engraved on the Golden Plates.
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The Plates of Limhi and the Jaredites
The people of Limhi discovered the Jaredite plates, which contained the history of the Jaredites. These were translated by King Mosiah I and eventually abridged by Moroni as the Book of Ether, which was then engraved upon the Golden Plates.
Other Claimed and Disputed Plates
Beyond the primary records of the Book of Mormon, other plates have appeared throughout the history of the movement, some of which have been debunked as fraudulent.
The Kinderhook Plates
Discovered in 1843, the Kinderhook plates were presented as ancient records. However, they were later proven to be a forgery created by three men: Bridge Whitten, Robert Wiley, and Wilburn Fugate.
The Voree and Laban Plates
James Strang, a claimant to the leadership of the movement, introduced the Voree plates (also known as the "Record of Rajah Manchou of Vorito" or the "Voree Record") in 1845. These are widely alleged to be forgeries. Additionally, Strang cited the plates of Laban—described as the Brass Plates—as the source for the Book of the Law of the Lord, published in 1851.
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Summary of Inscribed Plates
| Plate Name | Primary Association | Content/Purpose | Status/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Plates | Joseph Smith | Source of the Book of Mormon | Published 1830 |
| Brass Plates | Nephi/Lehi | Jewish records (Old Testament style) | Cited in Book of Mormon |
| Jaredite Plates | People of Limhi | Record of the Jaredites | Abridged as Book of Ether |
| Kinderhook Plates | Whitten, Wiley, Fugate | Claimed ancient record | Proven Forgery |
| Voree Plates | James Strang | Record of Rajah Manchou | Alleged Forgery |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Golden Plates?
The Golden Plates were a set of artifacts discovered by Joseph Smith in 1823, which he translated to produce the Book of Mormon in 1830.
What was the difference between Nephi's large and small plates?
The large plates contained a comprehensive history that Mormon later abridged, while the small plates contained specific spiritual records from Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Jarom, and Omni.
Who created the Kinderhook plates?
The Kinderhook plates were a forgery created by Bridge Whitten, Robert Wiley, and Wilburn Fugate.
What were the Brass Plates?
The Brass Plates were Jewish records retrieved by Nephi that contained information similar to the Old Testament up to the time of Jeremiah.
What is the relationship between the Jaredite plates and the Book of Ether?
The Jaredite plates contained the record of the Jaredites; this record was translated by King Mosiah I and later abridged by Moroni to become the Book of Ether.