Mosiah 8:9; “And for a testimony that the things that they had said are true they have brought twenty-four plates which are filled with engravings, and they are of pure gold.”
Matthew 10:28; “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Today we’re asking the question how Joseph Smith was able to lift over 200 lbs and run through the forest with the plates while being chased by three unknown assailants. LDS apostle James Talmage gave the dimensions of the plates in Articles of Faith pg 237;
“…uniform size, each about seven inches wide by eight inches long, and in thickness a little less than that of ordinary sheet tin. They were fastened together by three rings running through the plates near one edge; together they formed a book nearly six inches in thickness…”
By this standard the plates would weigh approximately 230 lbs. so why would the weight change with other witnesses testifying they weighed about 60 lbs? – The Golden Plates, p 276, John Welch
How did Emma pick them up and move them around while dusting? “Last Testimony of Sister Emma”, The Saints Herald
How did the witnesses know they were made of gold if they only saw them with their “spiritual eyes”? Here’s part of an e-mail exchange I had with a young man (LDS) explaining why their testimonies can’t be trusted;
A Comprehensive History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 6:137-138 tells us the original 3 witnesses never held or saw the plates or transcripts in person. The witnesses were comprised of Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, in addition to Joseph Smith.
Instead, a heavenly messenger revealed the plates to them through a revelation and/or vision while praying out in the woods near Mr. Whitmer’s home.
In fact the four gentlemen had been praying for awhile and still hadn’t received any word from God while asking Him to show them the plates. After some time had passed Martin Harris decided he was the reason God had not revealed anything to them so he got up to pray in a different area.
After another period of time had elapsed the group of three reports to have received a vision of the plates. Afterwards Joseph got up and went over to Harris to see if God had appeared to him as well.
Harris replied he hadn’t and begged Joseph to pray God would reveal these things to him as well so Joseph acquiesced and they both received a vision of the engravings.
How did Smith run three miles through the forest where he retrieved the plates with three unknown men chasing him? Don’t forget that Smith always walked with a limp because of the surgery he had as a child.
When you don’t have any reliable witnesses who can verify they actually held and saw the plates themselves this whole story must be regarded as nothing more than fantasy. Even more damning are the testimonies of people who knew Smith and his family who testified and signed sworn statements the plates and Smith’s claims were nothing more than fabrications of his own mind.
If you’re LDS there’s nothing to fear in knowing the truth – John 8:32 – Jesus won’t tell you anything you don’t need to know and He certainly wouldn’t tell you something that can’t be verified.
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