Plates of Gold entry in JSP glossary

This entry in the JSP Glossary is useful. It mentions only the abridged plates, not the original plates of Nephi (1 Nephi - Words of Mormon), which is appropriate for a brief summary.

However, the entry could be improved, as suggested below.

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/topic/gold-plates

Gold plates

Summary

A record engraved on gold plates, which JS translated and published as the Book of Mormon.

1

 

Note 1: JS History, ca. Summer 1832, 4; Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., iii; “The Book of Mormon,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Jan. 1833, [1]–[3].

The text explained that the plates were an abridgment of other ancient records and were written by an American prophet named Mormon and his son Moroni.

2

 

Note 2: Copyright, 11 June 1829, Copyright Registration Forms, 1829–1870, Copyright Office, Library of Congress, Washington DC; copy at CHL; Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 151–152, 531–532 [Words of Mormon 1:3–7; Mormon 8:1]; Revelation, ca. Spring 1829 [D&C 10:38–44]; “The Book of Mormon,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Jan. 1833, [1]–[3].

This accurately reflects the Title Page but does not mention the plates of Nephi. Suggested improvement:

The text explained that the plates were an abridgment of other ancient records and were written by an American prophet named Mormon and his son Moroni. There were also original plates written by Nephi that Joseph translated.

The plates were buried in present-day Manchester, Ontario County, New York, in what is now known as the Hill Cumorah.

3

 

Note 3: JS History, ca. Summer 1832, 4; “The Book of Mormon,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Jan. 1833, [1]–[3].

The plates were deposited, not buried. The clause "now known as the Hill Cumorah" is not incorrect but it implies the hill was once not known as the Hill Cumorah. But the historical record demonstrates that it was Moroni who identified the hill by name the first time he visited JS. This sentence can be corrected by simply deleting "now." Then add at least the reference to Lucy Mack Smith's account, where she said quoted Moroni telling JS "the record is on a side hill on the Hill of Cumorah 3 miles from this place." 

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1844-1845/41

Revised sentence and note:

The abridged plates were deposited in a stone box in present-day Manchester, Ontario County, New York, in a hill named Cumorah.

Note 3: JS History, ca. Summer 1832, 4; Lucy Mack Smith History 1844-1845/41; “The Book of Mormon,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Jan. 1833, [1]–[3].

JS’s history explained that JS received the abridged plates in September 1827.

4

 

Note 4: JS History, ca. Summer 1832, 5.

According to signed statements published in the Book of Mormon, in June 1829 three witnesses were shown the plates by an angel, and an additional eight witnesses were shown the plates by JS.

5

Note 5: “The Testimony of Three Witnesses”; “And Also the Testimony of Eight Witnesses,” in Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., [589], [590].

Ongoing uncertainty

Anyone who works on understanding history recognizes the inherent problems of incomplete, inconsistent, and even contradictory sources. Historical analysis weighs probabilities.

Ideally, historians would follow the FAITH model of analysis, all in the pursuit of clarity, charity and understanding. 

They would work to identify and present Facts. 

Then they would clearly articulate their respective Assumptions and Inferences that support their Theories, all of which form their overall Hypotheses.

Too often, historians write their theories as facts, as I've discussed many times.

E.g., see my reviews of Real vs Rumor, starting here:

https://www.ldshistoricalnarratives.com/p/real-vs-rumor-keith-ereksons-failed.html

Often people don't like to distinguish their theories from facts, but doing so is essential if we want everyone to understand one another.

The comment below showed up on social media but I don't know where or when. 

_____

Elder Dallin H. Oaks explained that even with the Church’s continued efforts toward transparency in history and records, there will still be questions that cannot be fully resolved by study alone.

This is because historical records are often incomplete, complex, or open to different interpretations. Even with full access to available information, not everything can be definitively answered.

He describes this as a form of “opposition in all things” (D&C 88:118)—meaning that uncertainty and unanswered questions are part of mortal life and learning.

In this view, some things are not meant to be understood purely through evidence or study, but through faith and personal spiritual confirmation.