The story of Joseph Smith and the discovery of the golden plates, a foundational event in the Latter Day Saint movement, also known as Mormonism, dates back to September 22, 1823. This date marks the beginning of a series of extraordinary events that would lead to the creation of the Book of Mormon, a sacred text for followers of this faith.
The Golden Plates and Their Significance
According to the belief of Latter Day Saints, the golden plates, also referred to as the gold plates or, in 19th-century literature, the "golden bible," are the source from which Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon. These golden plates are described as weighing from 30 to 60 pounds (14 to 27 kg), being gold in color, composed of thin metallic pages engraved with hieroglyphics on both sides, and bound with three D-shaped rings.
The Discovery of the Golden Plates
Joseph Smith claimed to have discovered the golden plates on September 22, 1823, on a hill near his home in Manchester, New York. According to his account, the angel Moroni directed him to the location where they were buried. However, the angel prevented him from taking the plates during this initial encounter but provided instructions for him to return to the same place a year later. Smith followed these instructions and returned to the site each year, but it wasn't until September 1827 that he successfully retrieved the plates during his fourth annual attempt.
When he returned home with a heavy object wrapped in a frock, he placed it in a box. Joseph Smith allowed others to lift the box, but he stated that the angel had forbidden him from showing the plates to anyone until they had been translated from their original "reformed Egyptian" language.
The Mystery of Translation
One of the most intriguing aspects of this story is the process of translating the golden plates. Joseph Smith claimed to have used "divine instruments," including the Urim and Thummim stones, to decipher the hieroglyphs and translate the content into English. The result of this process is the Book of Mormon, which narrates the history of ancient peoples in America and their interactions with God.
The Legacy of the Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon has become the cornerstone of the Latter Day Saint faith and is considered another testament of Jesus Christ. It supplements the Bible in their sacred canon and guides the doctrine and practice of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church.
The story of Joseph Smith and the golden plates remains a central element of the religious identity of Latter Day Saints, sparking fascination, debate, and controversy over the years. For believers, it is a story of divine revelation, while for others, it serves as an example of 19th-century religious mysticism. Regardless of one's perspective, Joseph Smith's discovery of the golden plates continues to influence the faith and culture of Mormon adherents today.
COGDEN, Public domain, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_plates#/media/File:Joseph_Smith_receiving_golden_plates.jpg
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