Golden plates facts for kids

Followers of the Latter Day Saint Movement believe that Joseph Smith was visited by an angel. This angel, named Moroni, gave him special Golden Plates. Joseph Smith then translated these plates. The translation became the Book of Mormon, which is a very important book for their faith. The plates were found on September 22, 1823, on Cumorah hill in Manchester, New York.

The Golden Plates

The Golden Plates are a key part of the Latter Day Saint Movement's beliefs. They are described as thin metal sheets, like pages in a book. These plates were said to be bound together by three rings. They were covered in writing in a language called "Reformed Egyptian."

What the Plates Looked Like

People who saw the plates described them as being about six inches by eight inches. They were about six inches thick. The plates felt heavy, like gold. Some parts of the plates were sealed, meaning they could not be opened. Other parts were open and could be read.

How Joseph Smith Found Them

Joseph Smith said he was led to the plates by the angel Moroni. The angel first appeared to him in 1823. Moroni told Joseph where to find the plates. They were buried in a stone box on Cumorah hill. Joseph was not allowed to take the plates right away. He had to wait four years.

On September 22, 1827, Joseph Smith was finally allowed to get the plates. He brought them home and kept them hidden. He knew they were very important and needed to be protected.

Translating the Plates

Joseph Smith said he translated the plates using special tools. These tools were called the Urim and Thummim, or seer stones. He would look into these stones, and the words from the plates would appear in English. He would then tell the words to a scribe, who wrote them down.

The translation process took several years. Many people helped Joseph Smith by writing down the words. This work resulted in the Book of Mormon. This book tells a story about ancient people who lived in the Americas. It also shares religious teachings.

What Happened to the Plates?

After the translation was finished, Joseph Smith said the angel Moroni took the plates back. This means the original Golden Plates are no longer on Earth. However, several people said they saw and touched the plates. These people are known as the "Three Witnesses" and the "Eight Witnesses." Their testimonies are included in every copy of the Book of Mormon. They said they saw the plates and knew they were real.

Images for kids

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  An 1893 engraving depicting Joseph Smith's description of receiving artifacts from the angel Moroni. The artifacts include the golden plates and a set of spectacles made of seer stones, which Smith called the Urim and Thummim. The sword of Laban and an ancient breastplate are shown nearby.

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  An 1841 engraving of "Mormon Hill" (looking south), where Smith said he found the golden plates on the west side, near the peak.

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  A 21st-century artistic representation of Joseph Smith translating the golden plates by examining a seer stone in his hat.

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  A 21st-century artistic representation of the Golden plates, Urim and Thummim, Sword of Laban, and Liahona

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  Full-scale model of the golden plates based on Joseph Smith's description

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  Reformed Egyptian characters in John Whitmer's handwriting.