The Weight of the Plates
89 Primary Sources
Date | Summary | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Aug 1829 - | The Eight Witnesses's manuscript testimony. | Eight Witnesses LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Aug 11, 1829 | Hadley describes dimensions of plates. | Jonathan Hadley Critic Non-LDS | 2nd Hand Reprint | |
Feb 20, 1830 | Blatchley states that the plates are said to weigh 30 lbs. | C. C. Blatchley Critic Non-LDS | Unsourced | |
Feb 20, 1830 | Blatchley relates Harris's description of the 8x6x1 dimensions of the plates. | C. C. Blatchley Critic Non-LDS | 2nd Hand Journalism | |
Mar 26, 1830 | 8 Witnesses published statement in 1830 claiming that Joseph showed them the plates. | Eight Witnesses LDS | Direct Reprint | |
Dec 1830 | The Philadelphia Album reports that the plates were 7x6x6 and the sheets were the thickness of tin. | The Philadelphia Album Critic Non-LDS | Unsourced Journalism | |
Jan 15, 1831 | In a letter, Phelps says "the family of Smiths is poor." | E. D. Howe Critic | 2nd Hand Reprint | |
Mar 19, 1831 | Dogberry reports the weight of plates to be more than 20 lbs. | Obadiah Dogberry [Abner Cole] Critic Non-LDS | 3rd Hand Journalism | |
Mar 19, 1831 | Dogberry reports the dimensions of plates to be 8 inches square. | Obadiah Dogberry [Abner Cole] Critic Non-LDS | 3rd Hand Journalism | |
Mar 19, 1831 | Obadiah Dogberry reports that David Whitmer physically held and examined the plates. | Obadiah Dogberry [Abner Cole] Critic Non-LDS | 3rd Hand Journalism | |
Sep 3, 1831 | William Owen reports that ten witnesses handled the plates. | William Owen Critic Non-LDS | Reprint Unsourced Journalism | |
Jan 1832 | The neighbors of Joseph assert that the Smith family was known for being poor. | Nathaniel W. Howell Non-LDS | 2nd Hand Reprint | |
Apr 1832 | The CT gives dimensions for the stone box. | Catholic Telegraph Critic Non-LDS | 3rd Hand | |
Jun 1832 - | Joseph describes plates as "plates of gold." | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Scribed Verbatim Direct | |
Jun 1832 - | Joseph says he was tempted by the monetary value of the plates. | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Scribed Verbatim Direct | |
Nov 7, 1832 | Smith gives dimensions of the plates. | Josiah Stowell LDS | Scribed Summary Reprint | |
1833 | Chase says Joseph told him the plates were 40-60 pounds. | Willard Chase Critic Non-LDS | 2nd Hand Reprint | |
May 1, 1834 | Hale says he could heft the weight of the plates in a box. | Isaac Hale Critic Non-LDS | Direct | |
1835 - | Whitmer affirms truth of the testimony of the 3 and 8 witnesses. | John Whitmer Disaffected | Holograph Direct | |
Jun 1835 | Cowdery reports Whitmer's testimony of handling the plates. | Oliver Cowdery LDS | Scribed Summary 2nd Hand | |
Nov 9, 1835 - | Joseph calls plates "plates of gold." | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Mar 31, 1836 | Whitmer testifies of having handled the plates. | John Whitmer LDS | Direct | |
Dec 31, 1836 | Cowdery reports that Whitmer and P Whitmer Jr. maintained their testimonies of the BOM. | Oliver Cowdery LDS | 2nd Hand | |
Apr 15, 1838 | Burnett's letter claims witnesses confessed to not seeing the plates. | Stephen Burnett Disaffected | Scribed Verbatim 3rd Hand | |
Jun 1838 | Joseph's 1838 history account of plates and stone box. | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Aug 11, 1838 | Parrish claims Harris says he only saw plates in vision. | Warren Parrish Disaffected Excommunicated Critic | 2nd Hand Reprint | |
Aug 26, 1838 | Sally Bradford Parker recounts Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith bearing testimony of handling the plates. | Sally Bradford Parker LDS | 2nd Hand Reprint | |
1839 | Corrill recounts Joseph's description of the plates. | John Corrill Excommunicated | Unsourced Late | |
Apr 5, 1839 | Turley recounts Whitmer saying he handled plates with "supernatural power." | Theodore Turley LDS | Scribed Verbatim 2nd Hand | |
Jun 1839 | Joseph describes plates as "gold plates." | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Jun 1839 - | Joseph explains why plates were returned to angel: mobs tried to steal them. | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Scribed Verbatim Direct | |
Dec 1839 | Smith reaffirms his testimony after enduring persecution. | Hyrum Smith LDS | Direct | |
1840 | Pratt gives the dimensions of the plates as 7x8x6 inches. | Orson Pratt LDS | Direct | |
Jun 1840 | Pratt gives reports of the plates including the script engraved on them and their dimensions. | Parley P. Pratt LDS | Direct | |
Jul 3, 1841 | Smith reports dimensions of the plates to Murdock. | William Smith LDS | Scribed Summary Reprint 3rd Hand | |
Aug 31, 1841 | Fielding says sister Mary Fielding says her husband Hyrum handled the plates. | Joseph Fielding LDS | 3rd Hand | |
1842 | Hyde reprints Pratt's description of the plates. | Orson Hyde LDS | Direct | |
1842 | Henry Caswell reports Lucy Mack describing the dimensions of the plates. | Henry Caswall Critic Non-LDS | 2nd Hand | |
Mar 1, 1842 | Joseph gives dimensions of the plates and that they had the "appearance" of gold. | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Direct | |
1842 | Lucy describes dimensions of the plates. | Lucy Mack Smith LDS | Scribed Verbatim 2nd Hand | |
Dec 19, 1843 | Campbell mentions that Stowell handled the plates in letter to Joseph. | Martha Campbell LDS | Holograph 2nd Hand | |
Aug 1, 1844 | Taylor writes Smith remained a BOM witness until his death. | John Taylor LDS | 2nd Hand | |
1844 | Appleby reports dimensions of the plates. | William I. Appleby LDS | 2nd Hand | |
1845 | Lucy Mack Smith recounts Joseph running with the plates. | Lucy Mack Smith LDS | Scribed Verbatim 2nd Hand | |
1845 | Lucy retells experience of the 3 Witnesses. | Lucy Mack Smith LDS | Scribed Verbatim 2nd Hand | |
1845 | Lucy recounts experience of the 8 Witnesses. | Lucy Mack Smith LDS | Scribed Verbatim 2nd Hand Secondary | |
May 30, 1847 | Page reaffirms his testimony; defends BOM. | Hiriam Page Disaffected | Direct Reprint | |
Oct 21, 1848 | Cowdery reaffirms his testimony at council meeting; saw and handled the plates. | Oliver Cowdery Disaffected | Scribed Verbatim Reprint | |
1854 | Ford claims 8 witnesses were self-deluded; never saw any plates. | Thomas Ford Critic Non-LDS | Direct Unsourced Late | |
Feb 3, 1858 | Young reports that Smith affirms he is one of the BOM witnesses; calls it a revelation and translation. | Phineas Young LDS | 2nd Hand Reprint | |
Aug 1859 | Harris says the plates weighed 40-50 pounds. | Martin Harris Excommunicated | Scribed Verbatim Journalism | |
Aug 1859 | Harris says the plates were 7x8 inches. | Martin Harris Excommunicated | Scribed Verbatim Journalism | |
Aug 1859 | Harris says Beaman heard the plates klink. | Martin Harris Excommunicated | 2nd Hand Journalism | |
Aug 1859 | Harris tells Tiffany that plates must have been lead or gold. | Martin Harris Excommunicated | Scribed Verbatim Journalism | |
Aug 20, 1859 | Harris affirms his testimony that he handled the plates. | Martin Harris Excommunicated | Scribed Verbatim Reprint | |
Aug 20, 1859 | Harris affirms his testimony that he handled the plates. | Martin Harris Excommunicated | Scribed Verbatim Reprint | |
1866 | Noble's reminiscence of mob trying to steal the plates. | Mary Adeline Noble LDS | Holograph 2nd Hand Late | |
1870 | Lapham reports that Smith Sr. gave dimensions of plates at 6x9-10 inches. | Fayette Lapham Non-LDS | 2nd Hand Reprint | |
Aug 28, 1870 | Harris gives the weight of plates as between 40-60 pounds. | Martin Harris Disaffected | Scribed Summary 2nd Hand Late | |
Feb 18, 1875 | Brand reports that Whitmer reaffirmed published testimony. | John Whitmer Excommunicated | Scribed Summary 2nd Hand Reprint | |
Apr 12, 1875 | Whitmer reaffirms his testimony to Davis. | John Whitmer Excommunicated | Scribed Paraphrase 2nd Hand Journalism | |
1875 | Smith records Whitmer reaffirming his testimony and those of the other witnesses. | William Smith Excommunicated | Holograph Direct | |
Mar 5, 1876 | Whitmer says he never heard any other witnesses recant their testimonies. | John Whitmer Excommunicated | 2nd Hand Reprint | |
Dec 11, 1876 | Whitmer reaffirms his printed testimony. | John Whitmer Excommunicated | Direct Reprint | |
Apr 12, 1877 | BM gives dimensions of plates as that of an "ordinary Bible." | Chenango Union Non-LDS | Reprint 3rd Hand Late Journalism | |
Apr 12, 1877 | Non-LDS account of handling plates in a pillowcase. | Chenango Union Non-LDS | Reprint 3rd Hand Late Journalism | |
Feb 15, 1878 | Whitmer affirms testimony of BOM plates in public. | I. C. Funn Non-LDS | Scribed Summary 2nd Hand Reprint Late | |
Aug 2, 1878 | Myron H. Bond recollects that John Whitmer "saw and handled" the plates. | Myron H. Bond Non-LDS | 2nd Hand Reprint | |
Aug 14, 1878 | Poulson reports John Whitmer's final testimony of the BoM. | Peter Wilhelm Poulson LDS | Scribed Verbatim 2nd Hand Reprint | |
Aug 14, 1878 | Poulson reports John Whitmer's final testimony of the BoM. | Peter Wilhelm Poulson LDS | Scribed Verbatim 2nd Hand Reprint | |
Aug 31, 1878 | William Sayre notes how Joseph had a reputation for being poor. | William S. Sayre Non-LDS | 2nd Hand Reprint | |
Oct 1, 1879 | Interview with Emma; says she felt the plates. | Emma Hale Smith Disaffected | Scribed Verbatim Late | |
Jul 11, 1881 | Whitmer gives dimensions of plates as 6x9 inches. | David Whitmer Excommunicated | Scribed Verbatim Reprint Journalism | |
1883 | Smith says he lifted the plates; they weighed about 60 pounds. | William Smith Disaffected | Direct Late | |
1883 | Taylor recalls Samuel H Smith bearing testimony as a BOM witness. | Daniel Tyler LDS | Direct Late | |
Jun 8, 1884 | Smith says the plates were heavier than wood and stone. | William Smith Disaffected | Scribed Verbatim Late | |
Jun 8, 1884 | Smith compared dimensions of plates to a large Bible. | William Smith Disaffected | Scribed Verbatim Late | |
Jun 8, 1884 | Smith recounts when JS first brought the plates home. | William Smith Disaffected | Scribed Verbatim Late | |
Feb 4, 1888 | Whitmer describes the plates as being 8x7 inches. | Chicago Tribune Non-LDS | Reprint Journalism | |
Oct 1888 | Jenson says Whiter says his father Jacob testified of BOM on deathbed. | Andrew Jenson LDS | Scribed Summary 3rd Hand Late | |
Dec 26, 1888 | George Mantle summarized that Martin Harris testified that Joseph translated by the power of God. | Martin Harris LDS | Direct Late | |
Jan 13, 1894 | Smith remembers hefting the plates and judged them to be about 60 pounds. | William Smith Disaffected | Scribed Paraphrase 2nd Hand | |
Jan 13, 1894 | Smith remembers hefting the plates and judged them to be about 60 pounds. | William Smith Disaffected | Scribed Paraphrase 2nd Hand | |
Oct 2, 1899 | Salt Lake Herald-Republican claims Jane Manning James handled the gold plates. | Salt Lake Herald-Republican Non-LDS | Direct | |
1907 | George Edward Anderson reports that John Whitmer was firm in his testimony before his death. | George Edward Anderson | Reprint 3rd Hand | |
Jul 18, 1908 | Cummings argues that the plates were no more than 50 pounds. | B. F. Cummings LDS | Direct Late Secondary | |
1909 | Roberts responds to criticism that the plates were too heavy. | B. H. Roberts LDS | Direct Secondary | |
Jun 30, 1945 | Salisbury describes the plates as "very heavy." | Herbert S. Salisbury | 2nd Hand Late | |
Jan 11, 1954 | Hancock recalls how Joseph's sisters hid the plates. | Mary Salisbury Hancock Non-LDS | 2nd Hand Late | |
Oct 1954 | Salisbury describes the plates as "very heavy." | Herbert S. Salisbury | 2nd Hand Late | |
Sep 1966 | Putnam makes an argument that the plates were tumbaga and weighed 40-60 pounds. | Read H. Putnam LDS | Direct Late Secondary | |
1992 | Smith argues the plates were tumbaga and weighed around 50 pounds. | Robert F. Smith LDS | Direct Late Secondary | |
2001 | JBMS argues that the plates were tumbaga and weighed 60 pounds. | Journal of Book of Mormon Studies LDS | Secondary | |
Feb 2006 | Butler addresses the weight of the plates. | Shanna Butler LDS | Direct Secondary | |
Jul 2007 | Church magazine addresses weight of the plates. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints LDS | Secondary | |
Mar 12, 2011 | Murphy reports soldiers run with 60-100 pound packs. | Patricia Murphy | Scribed Verbatim Direct Journalism | |
2018 | The health requirements for the Philmont trek, affiliated with the BSA. | Boy Scouts of America: Philmont Scout Ranch Non-LDS | Direct | |
2021 | Church History Topics essay discusses gold plates. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints LDS | Direct Secondary | |
Jan 12, 2021 | Peterson describes actor running with replica of the plates. | Daniel C. Peterson LDS | Scribed Paraphrase 2nd Hand |