One Response to “Aren’t gold plates too heavy? If the Book of Mormon was tran…”
Carlos Cruz
2008-05-25 21:08:12
It is a common misconception that the metallic plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated were made of gold. In fact, even many Mormons hold to this misconception! Joseph said the plates "had the appearance of gold" but never claimed they were actually made of pure gold. In reality, given the reported size and weight of the plates, their density does not match the density of gold. The plates were in fact probably made of a metallic alloy, perhaps part gold, perhaps not, as explained in the following Church publication: What Did the Golden Plates Look Like?
As such, it is not accurate to refer to the plates as "gold plates." "Golden plates" is more appropriate, as "golden" refers to their color, not necessarily their metallic composition.
Incidentally, recent archeological evidence confirms that the ancients engraved writings on metallic plates. I myself have personally seen a set of ancient metallic plates engraved with Hebrew inscriptions from the Middle East.
As such, it is not accurate to refer to the plates as "gold plates." "Golden plates" is more appropriate, as "golden" refers to their color, not necessarily their metallic composition.
Incidentally, recent archeological evidence confirms that the ancients engraved writings on metallic plates. I myself have personally seen a set of ancient metallic plates engraved with Hebrew inscriptions from the Middle East.