Lesson 11-1: How to Make an Ancient, Sealed, Doubled Document

In formal Israelite legal documents, there were two parts, as documented by Jeremiah: one part that was sealed, and one part that was open (see Jeremiah 32:10–14). Seals were placed on the closed portion, and witnesses signed the end of the document, attesting to its authenticity. Finally, the sealed doubled documents were placed in containers and preserved. The Book of Mormon, as 2 Nephi 27:7–15 indicates, followed this ancient process of sealing and authenticating a text. The plates of Nephi had two parts: one open and one closed. Seals kept the closed part secure, and as promised anciently, witnesses were provided who signed the Book of Mormon after it was translated.

Originally published as Chart 9-117 in Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. Ancient Sealed, Doubled Documents. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999.