The prophet joseph smith described the gold plates as follows. After the translation was completed, however, joseph reported. 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 of mormon merely says they were made of ore 1 nephi 19. The problem of the weight of the golden plates mormon history provides an idea, although somewhat conflicting, of the weight of the plates joseph smith collected from the hill to take back to his home. 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. Running with the plates in another of josephs tales, of which again he is the only witness he claims that he was assaulted by several men while bringing the gold plates home.
Thomas stuart fergusons archaeological search for the book of mormon. Nov 20, 2007 their were never any plates martin harris one of the witness to the book of mormon stated that he never saw the plates. Henrichsen, compiler journal of book of mormon studies 101 2001. Stan larsons quest for the gold plates aims to describe the fascinating journey of thomas stuart ferguson, who was instrumental in developing contemporary lds apologetics but came to disbelieve in mormon truthclaims near the end of his life. Book of mormontranslationweight of the gold plates. However, this calculation is based on a faulty assumption that the plates are the same weight as a solid block of 24 karat gold. Wouldnt actual gold plates be too heavy to carry around. Mormon apologist john welch notes that pure gold would be too soft to make useful plates.
Its testimony of the master is clear, undiluted, and full of power. I have seen what i have seen and i have heard what i have heard. The book of mormon plates are the fly in the critics potato salad. Language the language on the plates is called reformed egyptian. Archaeologists discover golden plates believed to be. If the plates were pure gold their weight would been about 150 to 200 lbs. The the eyewitnesses eyewitnesses describe describe the the plates plates as as being being a a gold gold or or having having the the appearance appearance of of gold, gold, but but its its important important to to keep keep in in mind mind that that the the plates plates most most likely. Book of mormontranslationweight of the gold plates fairmormon.
The plates weighed approximately sixty pounds witnesses of the book of mormon were consistent in their witness that the plates weighed 4060 pounds. They go through complex calculations to show how gold plates with the dimensions described by the witnesses must have weighed some 200 pounds. Because the plates were written in a language comparable to. I was reading about the golden plates and it is hysterical, my sides are hurting. Those who lifted the plates estimated their weight to be about 4060 lbs. Putnam has argued persuasively that the book of mormon plates that were in joseph smiths hands were of tumbaga. Joseph smith running with the gold plates mormonthink. If you do not want to buy this expensive version with the fancy gold foil cover, please do a search on amazon for a regular paper back copy of the book of. Josephs wife emma talks about the golden plate book lying around the house and having to move it when cleaning. Problems with the gold plates of the book of mormon. Sorenson, agreed that putnams explanation helps solve the weight problem. 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.
We do not have the book of mormon metal plates available to us. Others were later privileged to see the plates and some even hefted them and leafed through the plates themselves. Joseph smiths golden plate story debunked reasons for jesus. The plates were first described as gold, and beginning about 1827, the plates were widely called the gold bible. Some critics assume that the golden plates are pure. What was the approximate weight of the gold plates from which. How to make the golden plates with kids eve out of the. The reported weight, dimensions, and composition of the gold plates are believable. The plates weighed approximately sixty pounds witnesses of the book of mormon were consistent in their witness that the plates weighed 4060 pound. The abridgments, quotations, and original writings of those book of mormon historians are displayed on. Martin harris interview, iowa state register, august 1870, as quoted in milton v. The book of mormon describes the plates as being made of ore.
My husband wants to get some sheets of ore to help the kids understand this ancient way of writing. 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. Ive also heard people say that he must have been empowered by god. Dec 19, 2010 the gold plates were also not a solid block of gold, in fact the pages were estimated to be about 0. Since gold weighs 1,204 pounds per cubic foot, we can agree with lds apostle john widtsoe who said, if the gold were pure, the plates would weigh two hundred pounds, which would be a heavy weight for a man to carry, even though he were of the athletic type of joseph smith. I have seen the gold plates from which the book of mormon is written. The plates weighed approximately 4060 pounds, and about half of the plates.
What was the approximate weight of the gold plates from which the. The second reason involves the soft composition of gold. I encourage you to read this book to see what i am talking about. The remaining plates are of a paper composite material colored gold but with no inscriptions. Detailed witness descriptions give us a good idea of what the gold plates which joseph smith used to translate the book of mormon looked like. Thomas stuart fergusons archaeological search for the book of mormon larson, stan on. To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here notes see roy w. After the translation was completed, however, joseph reported that he returned the plates to the angel.
The prophet joseph smith described the gold plates. Mormon history provides an idea, although somewhat conflicting, of the weight of the plates joseph smith collected from the hill to take back to his home. If the plates were made of eight karat gold, which is gold frequently used in presentday jewelry, and allowing a 10 percent space between the leaves, the total weight of the plates would not be above one hundred and seventeen poundsa weight easily. Golden plates or gold plates is not the proper title for a book of mormon related article that covers the origins or authenticity of the book of mormon as the current article seems to do. Ive heard some lds apologists argue that the plates had to of not been pure gold, however, this argument overlooks mosiah 8. In his book, an ancient american setting for the book of mormon, he wrote, r. Did the book of mormon witnesses see the gold plates only. Some contemporaries of smiths suggested that the plates weighed 60 pounds while others alleged they were 30 pounds 2. Some critics assume that the golden plates are pure gold, or that they are a solid block of gold. Mesoamericans did use a coppergold alloy the spaniards called. An alloy of gold and copper called tumbaga, known in mesoamerica, would suit both the appearance and weight of the plates. It was the upper plates of the plates of mormon which were translated both into the book of lehi 116 pages and also the book of mormon. One thing i found a little amusing was this statement about the gold plates. Supposedly, it was originally recorded in reformed egyptian on several gold plates which were discovered in the back woods of new york state by joseph smith, a young farm boy at the time.
Two top plates are made of brass and imprinted with reformed egyptian characters. And several of their unusual featuressuch as being bound by dshaped rings, having a sealed portion, and being written in reformed egyptianhave a surprising amount of corroboration from the ancient world. Doxey, assistant in the office of the quorum of the twelve. The weight of the golden plates miscellaneous mormon. The plates of the book of mormon, we allege, were of this alloy and were probably of between 8 and 12carat gold.
I have read the book of mormon several times and each time it is like a revelation that enlightens my life in some way. Mormon metallurgist reed putnam estimates that if the plates were made of pure gold, they would have probably weighed around 100 pounds. Dimensions according to joseph, the book was 6 x 8 x 6 and each plate was thinner than common tin. What was the weight of the golden plates from which joseph. By the following calculations, the book of mormon text fits on a 2.
What was the approximate weight of the gold plates from. Check out book of mormon centrals new video, detailing the historical evidence for the existence of the book of mormon golden plates. How much would the gold plates weigh that momonisms. Did the book of mormon witnesses see the gold plates only in. They thus appear to have weighed between 53 and 86 pounds. Problems with the gold plates of the book of mormon christian. These records were engraven on plates which had the appearance of gold, each plate was six inches wide and eight. Nov 03, 2017 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. Replica gold plates book of mormon with images book of. Book of mormontranslationdescription of the plates. Plates of that size made of pure gold, however, would have weighed even. A popular fairmormon trope is that the plates are an example of a onetime anachronism that has since been vindicated. The story of their discovery is supported by a large number of similar archeological finds. 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.
Joseph smith claimed that he translated the book of mormon from a set of golden plates, that were given to him by an angel. Putnam suggested that this alloy may be the material used to make the book of mormon plates. Utah foot ball players carry copper form of what the plates would have look like. According to this finding, the book of mormon could be written using as few as twentyone plates or even fortyeight if written in larger characters. The dimensions are given, 7 x 8 x 4 which i calculate to be 224 cu. Citing joseph smiths own description of the physical appearance of the plates as well as several contemporary accounts of persons who were permitted to lift them, the author provides an approximate weight of the gold plates. Archaeologists discover golden plates believed to be linked. It is not just that it teaches us truth, there is something more. Witnesses of the book of mormon were consistent in their witness that the plates weighed 4060 pounds. The heavier weight is based on what would probably be the total weight of a solid block of gold measuring the size of smiths plates. Pure gold plates would be too soft to hold engraving well. The term golden bible is also used with a negative connotation. From these dimensions of the gold plates, some calculate that the plates must have weighed more than 200 lbs.
Golden plates or gold plates is not the proper title for a book of mormon related article that covers the origins or authenticity of the book of mormon as the current article seems to. However, the gold plates continue to be anachronistic for at least 4 different reasons. You cant just eat around it, you have to get rid of it in a way that still makes the salad palatable to the dinner guests. Critics of the church often use the weight of the plates as evidence that the book of mormon story is not true. The metal would have to be soft enough to use a stylus so they can understand the difficult process.
The eight witnesses described them as having the appearance of gold. Dec 10, 2008 from these dimensions of the gold plates, some calculate that the plates must have weighed more than 200 lbs. This weight would tend to be unlikely given the fact that. Mormon and moroni, the book says, had abridged earlier historical records from other sets of metal plates. This is typically used to further the narrative that the list of anachronisms in the book of mormon is growing shorter. Jan 29, 2016 as early as the 1960s, metallurgical technician read h. Jan 30, 2018 the reported weight, dimensions, and composition of the gold plates are believable. Book of mormontranslationdescription of the plates fairmormon. The book of mormon is the keystone in our witness of jesus christ. Jun 17, 2014 since gold weighs 1,204 pounds per cubic foot, we can agree with lds apostle john widtsoe who said, if the gold were pure, the plates would weigh two hundred pounds, which would be a heavy weight for a man to carry, even though he were of the athletic type of joseph smith.
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 hieroglyphics on both sides and bound with three dshaped rings. Somehow he was able to outrun them carrying the 3060 pounds, and despite lifelong complications from leg surgery. 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. Packer, in his article cumorahs cave, printed in the journal of book of mormon studies v. The plates are made of a coppergold alloy and are held together by three dshaped rings, forming a sort of book. 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. Thus, if these are indeed the plates of mormon, as they certainly appear to be, then there are still over half of them left to be opened at the coming of the savior to those who believe in his word.
Mar 12, 2007 the heavier weight is based on what would probably be the total weight of a solid block of gold measuring the size of smiths plates. He had seen and handled them all, by the power of god. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. Could the entire book of mormon text fit on gold plates. The golden plates couldnt be made of pure gold the golden plates couldnt be made of pure gold, new era, july. Contemporaries of smith gave varying dimensions for the plates, as well as a wide range of estimated weights. The plates weighed approximately sixty pounds witnesses of the book of mormon. When the book of mormon was published in 1830, the eight witnesses described the plates as having the appearance of gold. 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. How much would the gold plates weigh that momonisms joseph. Because of this they are unavailable for examination today. What was the approximate weight of the gold plates from which the book of mormon was translated. If the plates were made of eight karat gold, which is gold frequently used in presentday jewelry, and allowing a 10 percent space between the leaves, the total weight of the plates would not be above one hundred and seventeen poundsa weight easily carried by a man as strong as was joseph smith john a. Different people estimated the weight at 30 to 60 lbs.
The book of mormon is a translation of ancient gold plates, which is not easily understood by our young kids. Their were never any plates martin harris one of the witness to the book of mormon stated that he never saw the plates. As early as the 1960s, metallurgical technician read h. 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. Introduced at the beginning of every copy of the book of mormon are the testimonies of the three and eight witnesses these three witnesses all over calgary, david whitmer and martin harris wrote that they were shown the plates by an angel who also attested to them that joseph smith translated the book by the gift and power of god. Sjodahl journal of book of mormon studies 101 2001.
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