MOBOM.org - plates in box

What plates were in the stone box?

The Title Page of the Book of Mormon describes the contents of the plates that Moroni gave Joseph Smith out of the stone box.

In May 1829 Joseph recorded this about the Title Page:

"I wish also to mention here, that the Title Page of the Book of Mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has been translated…

Therefore, in order to correct an error which generally exists concerning it, I give below that part of the Title Page of the English Version of the Book of Mormon, which is a genuine and literal translation of the Title Page of the Original Book of Mormon, as recorded on the plates." [History, 1838-1856, volume A-1]

Notice that Joseph called this the "Title Page of the Original Book of Mormon," suggesting that this describes the original plates or the first set of plates he obtained.

The text of the Title Page lists what these "Original" plates contain:

Abridgment of the plates of the Nephites, written by Mormon
Abridgment of the plates of Ether (Jaredites), written by Moroni
Sealed by Moroni (Book of Moroni, Title Page)

There is no mention here of any unabridged plates such as the Plates of Nephi, which were in a separate set and were obtained later in Fayette.

The Text of the Title Page:

An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi

Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—

Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—

Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—

Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed—

To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof—

Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—

The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.

An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven—

Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—

And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations—

And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.

TRANSLATED BY JOSEPH SMITH, Jun.

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