Where Are the Golden Plates Now?

The Legend of the Golden Plates in Mormonism

The Discovery by Joseph Smith

In the early 19th century, Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter-day Saint movement, claimed to have received a remarkable revelation. In 1823, while praying in his room, an angel named Moroni appeared to him. Moroni informed Smith about a set of golden plates buried in a hill near his home in Palmyra, New York. This hill was later known as Cumorah.

Smith visited the hill each year from 1823 to 1827. Finally, on September 22, 1827, he was allowed to retrieve the plates. The plates, he said, were inscribed with an ancient record in an unknown language.

The Translation and Return

Smith spent time translating the writings on the golden plates with the help of a seer stone and the Urim and Thummim, a tool that was also buried with the plates. The translation resulted in the Book of Mormon, which became a central religious text for the Latter-day Saint movement.

According to Joseph Smith History 1:60, when the time came, as per arrangements, the messenger (Moroni) called for the plates, and Smith delivered them back. It is stated that "when, according to arrangements, the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him; and he has them in his charge until this day, being the second day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight." So, according to the Latter-day Saint belief, the original golden plates are now in the custody of the angel Moroni.

Golden Plates in the Modern World

Replica Golden Plates in Museums

While the original golden plates are no longer in human hands, replicas have been created for display and educational purposes. In 2014, the Church History Museum commissioned silversmith Gordon Andrus to create a copy of the golden plates. His wife, Maryanne, who is the supervisor for exhibitions and programs at the museum, provided him with eyewitness descriptions.

The replica, which is exhibition-quality, is included in the main-level exhibit at the museum. The creation process was challenging as the eyewitness accounts were somewhat general and, in some cases, conflicting. Joseph Smith's descriptions were used as a primary reference. For example, Smith described the plates in a 1842 article in Times and Seasons as being six inches wide, eight inches long, and not quite as thick as common tin, with an appearance of gold.

This replica allows people to get a sense of what the original golden plates might have looked like, even though it's not the real artifact.

Symbolic Representations

Beyond physical replicas, the golden plates also exist in a symbolic form. They are a central symbol in the religious teachings and culture of the Latter-day Saint movement. They represent divine revelation, the restoration of true religion, and the importance of ancient scriptures.

In art, literature, and religious ceremonies within the Latter-day Saint community, the golden plates are often depicted or referenced. They serve as a reminder of the origin of the Book of Mormon and the unique spiritual experiences that led to its creation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the original golden plates that Joseph Smith found and translated are believed to be in the custody of the angel Moroni according to Latter-day Saint beliefs. However, in the modern world, we have replicas in museums like the one created by Gordon Andrus, which give us a visual approximation of what the plates might have been. Additionally, the golden plates hold a significant symbolic value in the religious and cultural context of the Latter-day Saint movement. Whether in their original form, as replicas, or as symbols, the golden plates continue to be a subject of fascination and importance.