The Golden Plates of the Book of Mormon: What Evidence Exists

An exploration of the claims and evidence surrounding the ancient record believed to be the source of the Book of Mormon.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 3, 2026

Branched from Who Was Joseph Smith: A Concise Biography

Quick take

The Golden Plates are the ancient record from which Joseph Smith claimed to translate the Book of Mormon.
Primary evidence for the plates comes from Joseph Smith's account and the testimonies of eleven witnesses.
These witnesses claimed to have seen, and in some cases handled, the plates.
The plates themselves are not available for physical examination, as Joseph Smith stated they were returned to an angel.

The Golden Plates are the ancient record from which Joseph Smith claimed to translate the Book of Mormon. According to Smith and Latter-day Saint belief, these plates contain a religious and historical account of ancient civilizations in the Americas, written by prophets, and serve as another testament of Jesus Christ.

Joseph Smith's Account and the Plates' Description

Joseph Smith stated that in 1823, an angel named Moroni directed him to a set of gold-colored metallic plates buried in a hill near his home in Palmyra, New York. He described the plates as thin, bound together by three rings, and covered with engravings in a language he called “reformed Egyptian.” Smith reported that the plates were approximately six inches by eight inches, about six inches thick, and had the appearance of gold. He claimed he was given custody of the plates in 1827 and translated a portion of them by divine gift and power, primarily using seer stones, before returning them to the angel Moroni in 1829 upon completion of the translation.

Testimonies of the Witnesses

The primary form of evidence for the physical existence of the Golden Plates, according to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, rests on the testimonies of eleven men, known as the Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses. These testimonies are published in every copy of the Book of Mormon.

**The Three Witnesses:** Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris testified that an angel of God showed them the plates and that they heard a voice from heaven declaring the plates to be true. Their experience was primarily spiritual and visionary.
**The Eight Witnesses:** Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Jr., John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith, Sr., Hyrum Smith, and Samuel H. Smith testified that Joseph Smith showed them the plates, and they physically handled and examined them. Unlike the Three Witnesses, their testimony emphasizes a tangible, physical interaction with the plates.

All of these witnesses maintained their testimonies throughout their lives, even though some later became estranged from Joseph Smith or the Church. Despite their later disagreements, none ever recanted their original statements regarding the plates.

Why the Golden Plates Matter

The Golden Plates are foundational to the identity and beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are believed to be the ancient source material for the Book of Mormon, which members consider to be sacred scripture alongside the Bible. The existence of the plates, as attested by Joseph Smith and the witnesses, is central to the Church’s claim of a restoration of ancient truths and a new dispensation of the gospel through Joseph Smith as a prophet. For believers, the testimonies serve as confirmation of the divine origin of the Book of Mormon and the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith.

Were the plates ever seen by anyone other than Joseph Smith and the witnesses?

According to Joseph Smith's account, the plates were shown only to the designated witnesses by divine permission. They were not available for general public viewing or scholarly examination.

Why aren't the plates available for study today?

Joseph Smith stated that after he completed the translation, the angel Moroni retrieved the plates. This means the plates are not a physical artifact available for archaeological or linguistic study in modern times.

What kind of writing was on the plates?

Joseph Smith described the script as "reformed Egyptian." This is not a known ancient language recognized by Egyptologists or linguists outside of Latter-day Saint tradition.

Are the witness testimonies considered reliable?

Within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the testimonies are considered credible and divinely appointed confirmations of the plates' existence. Critics, however, often point to the lack of independent physical evidence and the spiritual nature of some of the witness experiences as reasons for skepticism.

Sources

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "Book of Mormon Online." churchofjesuschrist.org.
Bushman, Richard Lyman. Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.
Testimony of Three Witnesses and Testimony of Eight Witnesses, published in the Book of Mormon.