Brass Plates Consistencies

One way to investigate the Book of Mormon’s authenticity is to look at the way it handles its underlying source texts, as well as the major sets of plates from which they derive. This evidence summary will specifically assess statements made about the brass plates.

Descriptions of the Contents of the Brass Plates

Nephite authors made numerous specific claims about the origin, contents, and history of the brass plates.¹ In addition, they sometimes invoked certain words, phrases, or ideas when discussing this topic. Although it is likely missing some relevant data, the list below shows that the number of these claims and associated details is not insignificant.²

1. The record was “engraven upon plates of brass” (1 Nephi 3:3).

2. The brass plates were possessed by a man named “Laban” (1 Nephi 3:3).

3. The brass plates contained a “genealogy” of Lehi’s forefathers (1 Nephi 3:3).

4. The brass plates contained “a record of the Jews” (1 Nephi 5:12).

5. The history described in the brass plates spanned “from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah” (1 Nephi 5:12).

6. The brass plates contained the “five books of Moses” (1 Nephi 5:11) which included the “law of Moses” (1 Nephi 4:15–16).

7. The brass plates contained an account of the “creation of the world” (1 Nephi 5:11).

8. The brass plates contained an account of “Adam and Eve, who were our first parents” (1 Nephi 5:11).

9. The brass plates contained the “prophecies of the holy prophets” (1 Nephi 5:13).

10. The brass plates contained “prophecies … concerning Joseph, who was carried into Egypt” (2 Nephi 4:1), as well as information about Joseph as Lehi’s ancestor.

11. The brass plates contained “many prophecies … of Jeremiah” (1 Nephi 5:13).

12. The brass plates contained the writings of “Isaiah” (1 Nephi 15:20).

13. The brass plates contained the writings of “Zenock” (1 Nephi 19:10).

14. The brass plates contained the writings of “Neum” (1 Nephi 19:10).

15. The brass plates contained the writings of “Zenos” (1 Nephi 19:10).

16. The brass plates contained the writings of “Ezias” (Helaman 8:20).

17. Nephi claimed the brass plates would “preserve unto our children the language of our fathers” (1 Nephi 3:19).

18. The brass plates were necessary so that Nephi’s posterity wouldn’t “dwindle and perish in unbelief” (1 Nephi 4:13).

19. The brass plates were described as being of “great worth” (1 Nephi 5:21).

20. The brass plates were described as being for “profit and learning” (1 Nephi 19:23).

21. The brass plates were associated with the Lord’s covenantal promise involving blessings and curses related to land and prosperity (1 Nephi 4:14).

22. The brass plates were associated with “mysteries” (Mosiah 1:3–5).

23. The brass plates were associated with the idea of “remembrance” (Mosiah 1:3).

24. The brass plates were associated with the concept of “testimony” and with multiple or additional “witnesses” (1 Nephi 22:30).

25. The brass plates were associated with forms of the words “keep” and “preserve” (Mosiah 1:4–5).

26. It was emphasized that the contents of the brass plates “are true” (Mosiah 1:6).

27. The need to “search” the brass plates was emphasized (1 Nephi 5:10).

28. When Nephi fled from his brothers, he “brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass” (2 Nephi 5:12).

29. The “ball, or compass” (or “Liahona”) became a sacred relic associated with the brass plates (2 Nephi 5:12).

30. The “sword of Laban” became a sacred relic associated with the brass plates (2 Nephi 5:14).

31. The Nephite “interpreters” became a sacred relic associated with the brass plates (Mosiah 28:20).

32. Lehi prophesied that the brass plates wouldn’t be “dimmed any more by time” (1 Nephi 5:19).

33. Lehi prophesied that the brass plates would “go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people” (1 Nephi 5:18).

Clustering of Elements

Almost all of these 33 elements can be found in multiple places in the Book of Mormon,³ as demonstrated in the following chart.⁴ For the specific statements in each of these chapters, as well as the verses involved, see the Appendix.

Rather than just one or two points of correspondence, we occasionally encounter substantial convergences of elements, sometimes five or more in a single chapter or short span of verses (see rows highlighted in gray). Significantly, there is no single chapter or textual unit from which all of the relevant data pertaining to the brass plates could be derived. Instead, we find a hodgepodge of textual relationships, where later texts often relate to scattered statements about the brass plates from various earlier sources.⁵ These blended consistencies hint at the existence of a genuine body of underlying source texts, as well as the development of a nuanced scribal tradition in relation to those source texts.⁶

Subtle Textual Relationships

While some textual connections are notable due to a complex network of shared elements, others are impressive because they involve an exclusive, obscure, or subtle relationship. For instance, after a lengthy discussion of the contents of the brass plates, Nephi stated, “I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning” (1 Nephi 19:23). Several chapters later in 2 Nephi 4:15, Nephi echoed this sentiment:

Both of these passages were written by the same author, both characterize the writings from the brass plates as “scripture,” and both invoke a two-part element (“profit” and “learning”).⁷ It is therefore hard to see them as anything other than a consistent detail related directly to the author’s conception of the brass plates and their scriptural content.

Another unique textual connection can be seen in Alma’s counsel to his son Helaman in Alma 37, which correlates to Lehi’s prophecy given all the way back in 1 Nephi 5. Significantly, these are the only two passages in the entire Book of Mormon that mention this multi-element prophecy:

A third—although certainly not the last—example of a less-than-obvious textual relationship can be seen in the accounts of the conversions of Lamoni and his father, found in Alma 18 and Alma 22. What is interesting about these passages is that they don’t directly mention the brass plates at all. Instead, they only mention the “scriptures.” Yet when one compares the surrounding content in each account with the details in 1 Nephi 5 (where the brass plates are first described), it becomes clear that the “scriptures” being referenced are undoubtedly from the brass plates themselves:

Biblical Content on the Brass Plates

Since Hebrew authors are known to frequently quote, paraphrase, or allude to past scripture in their writings,⁸ and since the Book of Mormon itself claims that there is substantial overlap between the Old Testament and the brass plates,⁹ readers might reasonably expect there to be numerous references to known Old Testament texts throughout the Nephite record. And this is precisely what one finds. While a fully rigorous and comprehensive analysis of all potential textual relationships hasn’t yet been conducted, many studies have already demonstrated that the degree of intertextuality between the Book of Mormon and relevant Old Testament writings is extensive.¹⁰

Nowhere is this more evident than in the book of Isaiah, at least 25 chapters of which are either quoted or paraphrased throughout the Book of Mormon.¹¹ While it may be tempting to assume that Joseph Smith used a copy of the Bible to aid his dictation of these chapters, this proposal is contradicted by statements given by the witnesses to the translation.¹² It is also rendered somewhat doubtful by the nature of the translation itself,¹³ as well as evidence suggesting that Joseph may not have even owned a Bible at the time.¹⁴

It would, of course, be a remarkable feat of memory for Joseph Smith to have dictated all of these passages from memory. Yet the use of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon goes well beyond rote recitations of biblical content. In many instances, Isaiah’s words are woven into the teachings and prophecies of Nephite authors in a way that would have required no small amount of literary skill, not to mention a deep understanding of the themes and contents of Isaiah’s writings.¹⁵ The same is true of the many quotations, paraphrases, and allusions made to other Old Testament texts.

Extrabiblical Content on the Brass Plates

The Book of Mormon also claims, early on, that the brass plates contained sacred writings that aren’t in the Bible (1 Nephi 13:23). In some cases, we only get brief hints of these texts. Only a few statements are attributed to Zenock,¹⁶ a single prophecy is attributed to Neum (1 Nephi 19:10), and we don’t know anything specific about the writings of Ezias, other than that they were contained on the brass plates (Helaman 8:20).¹⁷ At times, readers even encounter unattributed prophecies or quotations, some of which may have come from the brass plates.¹⁸

In other chapters, a significant amount of extrabiblical content is either directly quoted or alluded to, including Zenos’s allegory of the olive tree (Jacob 5), Zenos’s prophecies about the calamities surrounding Christ’s death (1 Nephi 19:10–12), several prophecies given by Joseph who was sold into Egypt (2 Nephi 3:4–22; Alma 46:23–27), and numerous statements found in the Book of Moses.¹⁹ Such material couldn’t have been recalled from memory or copied from some other source by any would-be forger. The Book of Mormon’s true author—if its own authorial claims are discounted—would have needed to create these underlying documents, some of which are quite intricate.²⁰

Reverse Translation Order

It should be remembered that because of the loss of the 116 pages, the Book of Mormon was dictated out of order, most likely beginning with Mosiah and ending with Words of Mormon.²¹ This back-to-front dictation process would almost certainly have made the translation more difficult, at least under the assumption that Joseph Smith merely concocted the Book of Mormon from his own imagination.

This is partially because the references and allusions to the brass plates in Mormon’s abridgment of Nephi’s large plates are liberally scattered throughout the text. We get a few significant concentrations of elements in Mosiah 1, Alma 37, Helaman 8, and 3 Nephi 10, but most of the references and allusions are strewn here and there in smaller clusters of four elements or less (see chart at beginning). It probably would have been much easier to start with the origin story of the plates in 1 Nephi 3–5 in which most (although not all) of the relevant textual data is concentrated in a few chapters, and then build upon that foundation, rather than synthesizing data from an array of prior sources.²²

Either way, the task would have been formidable. According to witnesses, Joseph Smith didn’t use any notes or reference materials when dictating the Book of Mormon.²³ Thus, when he reached the small plates, he would have needed to mentally recall numerous details about the brass plates scattered throughout Mormon’s abridgment. It is true that some of these details—such as the record being “engraven” upon brass—are not especially significant and could be remembered without much effort. But many other elements would have been much more taxing to reproduce, especially in the aggregate.

An impressive instance of this type of reversed textual relationship can be seen in the account of Christ’s death found in 3 Nephi. After reporting on the great destruction and calamities among the Nephites, Mormon stated, “Yea, the prophet Zenos did testify of these things, and also Zenock spake concerning these things …. And these things which testify of us, are they not written upon the plates of brass” (3 Nephi 10:15–17). Many chapters later, when Joseph Smith dictated the small plates of Nephi, we find a series of prophecies (involving more than a dozen specific elements) that match up closely with the reported fulfillments from 3 Nephi, some of which are indeed attributed to the prophets Zenos and Zenock:  

Interestingly, even some writings in the small plates demonstrate an awareness of brass plates content that hadn’t yet been dictated. This can be seen in Nephi’s and Lehi’s allusions to Zenos’s allegory of the Olive tree, as well as in Jacob’s comments in Jacob 4.²⁴ These situations—where authors in the text appear to be intimately familiar with prophecies or revelations from the brass plates that hadn’t yet been dictated—adds a significant measure of realism to the Book of Mormon’s editorial claims.²⁵

Conclusion

When viewed collectively, the Book of Mormon’s reverse-order presentation of the brass plates is highly sophisticated, as dozens of consistent details pertaining to their contents and history are mentioned in various combinations throughout the Nephite record. In addition to the content that would have needed to be created from scratch (like Zenos’s allegory of the Olive tree), hundreds of passages from biblical and extrabiblical texts are either quoted (often verbatim or nearly verbatim) or skillfully integrated (as paraphrases or allusions) into the original writings of Nephite authors.

It is hard to overstate the degree of biblical knowledge, literary talent, editorial conscientiousness, and mental recall that would be required for a single author to fabricate all these details. Even under favorable circumstances—with access to notes, outlines, and plenty of time to draft and revise content—a skilled writer would be hard-pressed to create and infuse this content into an already immensely complex document.²⁶

Yet Joseph Smith didn’t have any of these benefits when he dictated the Book of Mormon in the presence of various scribes in 1829.²⁷ The best available historical evidence indicates that he had little formal education, virtually no known literary experience, and only a limited knowledge of the Bible.²⁸ Furthermore, the dictation process was highly constraining, as Joseph reportedly didn’t rely on any notes or reference materials to help him recall or organize material,²⁹ nor did he make any substantive revisions.³⁰

Nevertheless, in the course of about 60 working days,³¹ he seamlessly integrated this large array of brass plates material into what was essentially a single—and final—dictated draft. All things considered, the Book of Mormon’s presentation of the brass plates involves a degree of editorial complexity and realism that is hard to ascribe to Joseph Smith’s natural ability. This, in turn, supports his consistent claim that he translated its contents by the gift and power of God.   

Noel B. Reynolds, “A Backstory for the Brass Plates,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 53 (2022): 199–254

Book of Mormon Central, “What Parts of the Old Testament Were on the Plates of Brass?” KnoWhy 410 (February 22, 2018).

John L. Sorenson, “The Brass Plates and Biblical Scholarship,” in Nephite Culture and Society: Collected Papers (Salt Lake City, UT: New Sage Books, 1997), 25–39.

Sidney B. Sperry, “Some Problems of Interest Relating to the Brass Plates,” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 4, no. 1 (1995): 185–191.

Grant R. Hardy and Robert E. Parsons, “Book of Mormon Plates and Records” in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 4 vols., ed. Daniel H. Ludlow (New York, NY: Macmillan, 1992), 1:195–201.

See Appendix.

See Appendix.

Appendix: Origin and Contents of the Brass Plates

1. Engraven
2. Possessed by Laban
3. Lehi’s Genealogy
4. Record of the Jews
5. From Beginning, Even Down …
6. Books/Law of Moses
7. Creation
8. Adam and Eve / First Parents
9. Holy Prophets
10. Joseph Who Was Sold into Egypt
11. Words of Jeremiah
12. Words of Isaiah
13. Words of Zenock
14. Words of Neum
15. Words of Zenos
16. Words of Ezias
17. Preserve Language
18. Dwindle in Unbelief
19. Great Worth
20. Profit and Learning
21. Land Covenant
22. Mysteries
23. Remembrance
24. Additional Testimonies
25. Keep and Preserve
26. Brass Plates Are True
27. Search Diligently
28. Nephi Took Plates
29. Liahona
30. Sword of Laban
31. Interpreters
32. Retain Brightness
33. All Nations

 

1.   Possessed by Laban

• For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews and also a genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon plates of brass. Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brothers should go unto the house of Laban, and seek the records, and bring them down hither into the wilderness. (1 Nephi 3:3–4)
• And he desired of Laban the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, which contained the genealogy of my father. (1 Nephi 3:12)
• And after we had gathered these things together, we went up again unto the house of Laban. And it came to pass that we went in unto Laban, and desired him that he would give unto us the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, for which we would give unto him our gold, and our silver, and all our precious things. (1 Nephi 3:23–24)
• And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the plates of brass a genealogy of his fathers; …. And thus my father, Lehi, did discover the genealogy of his fathers. And Laban also was a descendant of Joseph, wherefore he and his fathers had kept the records. (1 Nephi 5:14–16)

2.   Engraven Upon

• For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews and also a genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon plates of brass (1 Nephi 3:3)
• And he desired of Laban the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, which contained the genealogy of my father. (1 Nephi 3:12)
• And it came to pass that we went in unto Laban, and desired him that he would give unto us the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass (1 Nephi 3:24)
• And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass. (1 Nephi 4:16)
• And after they had given thanks unto the God of Israel, my father, Lehi, took the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, and he did search them from the beginning. (1 Nephi 5:10)
• and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass (1 Nephi 13:23)
• Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, did teach my brethren these things; and it came to pass that I did read many things to them, which were engraven upon the plates of brass (1 Nephi 19:22)
• And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had read these things which were engraven upon the plates of brass (1 Nephi 22:1)
• And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. (2 Nephi 4:15)
• And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass (2 Nephi 5:12)
• And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass (Mosiah 1:3)
• And moreover, he also gave him charge concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass (Mosiah 1:16)
• And again, they were wroth with him because he departed into the wilderness as the Lord had commanded him, and took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass (Mosiah 10:16)
• Therefore he took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass (Mosiah 28:11)
• And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning (Alma 37:

3.   Lehi’s Genealogy

• For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews and also a genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon plates of brass (1 Nephi 3:3)
• And he desired of Laban the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, which contained the genealogy of my father (1 Nephi 3:12)
• And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the plates of brass a genealogy of his fathers (1 Nephi 5:14)
• And we had obtained the records [plates of brass] which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable …. And now I, Nephi, do not give the genealogy of my fathers in this part of my record (1 Nephi 5:21–6:1)

4.   Record of the Jews

• Nephi taketh his brethren and returneth to the land of Jerusalem after the record of the Jews. (Title Page)
• For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews and also a genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon plates of brass (1 Nephi 3:3)
• And after this manner of language did my father, Lehi, comfort my mother, Sariah, concerning us, while we journeyed in the wilderness up to the land of Jerusalem, to obtain the record of the Jews. (1 Nephi 5:6)
• And after they had given thanks unto the God of Israel, my father, Lehi, took the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, and he did search them from the beginning. And he beheld that they did contain … a record of the Jews (1 Nephi 5:10–12)
• The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass (1 Nephi 13:23)
• And they discovered a people, who were called the people of Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing among the people of Zarahemla; and also Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly, because the Lord had sent the people of Mosiah with the plates of brass which contained the record of the Jews (Omni 1:14)

5.   From Beginning, Even Down …

• And behold, it is wisdom in God that we should obtain these records [plates of brass], that we may preserve unto our children the language of our fathers; And also that we may preserve unto them the words which have been spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets, which have been delivered unto them by the Spirit and power of God, since the world began, even down unto this present time (1 Nephi 3:19–20)
• And after they had given thanks unto the God of Israel, my father, Lehi, took the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, and he did search them from the beginning. … And also a record of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah … And also the prophecies of the holy prophets, from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah (1 Nephi 5:10–13)
• But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord—having a knowledge of the creation of the earth, and all men, knowing the great and marvelous works of the Lord from the creation of the world; having power given them to do all things by faith; having all the commandments from the beginning [upon the plates of brass] (2 Nephi 1:10)
• And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things [from the plates of brass] that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel—That he has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation to generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored to the true church and fold of God (2 Nephi 9:1–2)
• And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah [from the plates of brass], for my soul delighteth in his words. … Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses [upon the plates of brass] been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him (2 Nephi 11:2–4)
• For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates [of brass]; for he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings, and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God, even down to this present time (Mosiah 1:4)
• I say unto you, that there are not any among you, except it be your little children that have not … been taught concerning the records [plates of brass] which contain the prophecies which have been spoken by the holy prophets, even down to the time our father, Lehi, left Jerusalem (Mosiah 2:34)
• For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them [upon the plates of brass] concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people? Yea, and even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began—have they not spoken more or less concerning these things? (Mosiah 13:33)
• And now, as I said unto you, that after king Mosiah had done these things, he took the plates of brass, and all the things which he had kept, and conferred them upon Alma, who was the son of Alma; yea, all the records, and also the interpreters, and conferred them upon him, and commanded him that he should keep and preserve them, and also keep a record of the people, handing them down from one generation to another, even as they had been handed down from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem (Mosiah 28:20)
• Now when Ammon had said these words, he began at the creation of the world, and also the creation of Adam, and told him all the things concerning the fall of man, and rehearsed and laid before him the records and the holy scriptures [plates of brass] of the people, which had been spoken by the prophets, even down to the time that their father, Lehi, left Jerusalem (Alma 18:36)
• And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the king would believe his words, he began from the creation of Adam, reading the scriptures [plates of brass] unto the king—how God created man after his own image, and that God gave him commandments, and that because of transgression, man had fallen (Alma 22:12)
• And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord, yea, thousands were brought to believe in the traditions of the Nephites; and they were taught the records [plates of brass] and prophecies which were handed down even to the present time (Alma 23:4–5)
• And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning—Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another (Alma 37:3–4)
• And now behold, Moses did not only testify of these things [upon the plates of brass], but also all the holy prophets, from his days even to the days of Abraham. … And now I would that ye should know, that even since the days of Abraham there have been many prophets that have testified these things; yea, behold, the prophet Zenos did testify boldly; for the which he was slain. [Helaman 8:16–19]

6.   Books/Law of Moses

• Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law. And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass. (1 Nephi 4:15–16)
• And he beheld that they [plates of brass] did contain the five books of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world, and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents (1 Nephi 5:11)
• I did read many things to them, which were engraven upon the plates of brass, that they might know concerning the doings of the Lord in other lands, among people of old. And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses (1 Nephi 19:22–23)
• And the Lord will surely prepare a way for his people, unto the fulfilling of the words of Moses, which he spake …. Wherefore, my brethren, I would that ye should consider that the things which have been written upon the plates of brass are true (1 Nephi 22:20–30)
• And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things, according to the law of Moses. …. And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass (2 Nephi 5:10–12)
• Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God [upon the brass plates] from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him. (2 Nephi 11:4)
• And for this intent we keep the law of Moses [upon the plates of brass], it pointing our souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son. Wherefore, we search the prophets [plates of brass], and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy (Jacob 4:5–6)
• Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets [upon the plates of brass], for they truly testified of me (3 Nephi 15:10)

7.   Creation

• And he beheld that they [plates of brass] did contain the five books of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world, and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents (1 Nephi 5:11)
• But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord—having a knowledge of the creation of the earth … having all the commandments from the beginning [upon the brass plates] (2 Nephi 1:10)
• I have spoken unto you concerning all things which are written [upon the plates of brass], from the creation of the world (2 Nephi 6:3)
• Now when Ammon had said these words, he began at the creation of the world … and rehearsed and laid before him the records and the holy scriptures [brass plates] of the people (Alma 18:36)
• And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the king would believe his words, he began from the creation of Adam, reading the scriptures [brass plates] unto the king (Alma 22:12)
• Behold I say unto you, he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures [brass plates]; if so, he does not understand them (Mormon 9:8) …. Behold, he created Adam, and by Adam came the fall of man. And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ, even the Father and the Son; and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man (v. 12)
• And as I suppose that the first part of this record, which speaks concerning the creation of the world, and also of Adam, and an account from that time even to the great tower, and whatsoever things transpired among the children of men until that time, is had among the Jews [analogous to what is on the plates of brass] (Ether 1:3)
• Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember [from the brass plates] how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. (Moroni 10:3)

8.   Adam and Eve / First Parents

• And he beheld that they [plates of brass] did contain the five books of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world, and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents (1 Nephi 5:11)
• And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, after he had created our first parents (2 Nephi 2:15) … And I, Lehi, according to the things which I have read [plates of brass] (v. 17) … And after Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit they were driven out of the garden of Eden (v. 19)
• What does the scripture [from the brass plates] mean, which saith that God placed cherubim and a flaming sword on the east of the garden of Eden, lest our first parents should enter and partake of the fruit of the tree of life, and live forever? … Now we see that Adam did fall by the partaking of the forbidden fruit, according to the word of God [brass plates] (Alma 12:21–22)
• Now when Ammon had said these words, he began at the creation of the world, and also the creation of Adam, and told him all the things concerning the fall of man, and rehearsed and laid before him the records and the holy scriptures [brass plates] of the people (Alma 18:36)
• And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the king would believe his words, he began from the creation of Adam, reading the scriptures [brass plates] unto the king (Alma 22:12)
• Behold I say unto you, he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures [brass plates]; if so, he does not understand them (Mormon 9:8) …. Behold, he created Adam, and by Adam came the fall of man. And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ, even the Father and the Son; and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man (v. 12)
• And as I suppose that the first part of this record, which speaks concerning the creation of the world, and also of Adam, and an account from that time even to the great tower, and whatsoever things transpired among the children of men until that time, is had among the Jews [analogous to what is on the plates of brass] (Ether 1:3)
• Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember [from the brass plates] how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. (Moroni 10:3)

9.   Holy Prophets

• And behold, it is wisdom in God that we should obtain these records [plates of brass], that we may preserve unto our children the language of our fathers; And also that we may preserve unto them the words which have been spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets, which have been delivered unto them by the Spirit and power of God, since the world began, even down unto this present time (1 Nephi 3:19–20)
• And after they had given thanks unto the God of Israel, my father, Lehi, took the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, and he did search them from the beginning. … And also a record of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah … And also the prophecies of the holy prophets, from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah (1 Nephi 5:10–13)
• And he also spake concerning the prophets [writings on the plates of brass], how great a number had testified of these things, concerning this Messiah, of whom he had spoken, or this Redeemer of the world [1 Nephi 10:5]
• and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass (1 Nephi 13:23)
• And he surely did show unto the prophets of old all things concerning them; and also he did show unto many concerning us; wherefore, it must needs be that we know concerning them for they are written upon the plates of brass (1 Nephi 19:21)
• And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had read these things which were engraven upon the plates of brass, my brethren came unto me and said unto me: What meaneth these things which ye have read? … And I, Nephi, said unto them: Behold they were manifest unto the prophet by the voice of the Spirit; for by the Spirit are all things made known unto the prophets, which shall come upon the children of men according to the flesh (1 Nephi 22:1–2)
• And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things [from the plates of brass] that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel—That he has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation to generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored to the true church and fold of God (2 Nephi 9:1–2)
• For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us. Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, and also we worship the Father in his name. And for this intent we keep the law of Moses [plates of brass], it pointing our souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son. Wherefore, we search the prophets [plates of brass], and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy (Jacob 4:5–6)
• And now, behold, my brethren, as I said unto you that I would prophesy, behold, this is my prophecy—that the things which this prophet Zenos spake [from the plates of brass], concerning the house of Israel, in the which he likened them unto a tame olive tree, must surely come to pass. … Behold, will ye reject these words? Will ye reject the words of the prophets (Jacob 6:1–8)
• And I said unto him: Believest thou the scriptures [plates of brass]? And he said, Yea. And I said unto him: Then ye do not understand them; for they truly testify of Christ. Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ (Jacob 7:10–11)
• And he caused that they should be taught in all the language of his fathers, that thereby they might become men of understanding; and that they might know concerning the prophecies which had been spoken by the mouths of their fathers, which were delivered them by the hand of the Lord. And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass (Mosiah 1:2–3)
• I say unto you, that there are not any among you, except it be your little children that have not … been taught concerning the records [plates of brass] which contain the prophecies which have been spoken by the holy prophets, even down to the time our father, Lehi, left Jerusalem (Mosiah 2:34)
• For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them [upon the plates of brass] concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people? Yea, and even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began—have they not spoken more or less concerning these things? (Mosiah 13:33)
• Now when Ammon had said these words, he began at the creation of the world, and also the creation of Adam, and told him all the things concerning the fall of man, and rehearsed and laid before him the records and the holy scriptures [plates of brass] of the people, which had been spoken by the prophets, even down to the time that their father, Lehi, left Jerusalem (Alma 18:36)
• And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord, yea, thousands were brought to believe in the traditions of the Nephites; and they were taught the records [plates of brass] and prophecies which were handed down even to the present time (Alma 23:4–5)
• Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures [including plates of brass] are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God (Alma 30:44)
• And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning—Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another (Alma 37:3–4)
• And now behold, Moses did not only testify of these things [upon the plates of brass], but also all the holy prophets, from his days even to the days of Abraham. … And now I would that ye should know, that even since the days of Abraham there have been many prophets that have testified these things; yea, behold, the prophet Zenos did testify boldly; for the which he was slain. [Helaman 8:16–19]
• And behold, ye do know of yourselves, for ye have witnessed it, that as many of them … are led to believe the holy scriptures [including the plates of brass], yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them (Helaman 15:7)
• Yea, even if they should dwindle in unbelief the Lord shall prolong their days, until the time shall come which hath been spoken of by our fathers, and also by the prophet Zenos, and many other prophets, concerning the restoration of our brethren, the Lamanites, again to the knowledge of the truth (Helaman 15:11)
• And now, whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures [including the plates of brass], let him search them, and see and behold if all these deaths and destructions by fire, and by smoke, and by tempests, and by whirlwinds, and by the opening of the earth to receive them, and all these things are not unto the fulfilling of the prophecies of many of the holy prophets. … Yea, the prophet Zenos did testify of these things (3 Nephi 10:14–16)
• Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets [including those upon the plates of brass], for they truly testified of me (3 Nephi 15:10)
• And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah [upon the plates of brass] … Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things (3 Nephi 23:1–5)

  10.   Joseph Who Was Sold into Egypt

• And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the plates of brass a genealogy of his fathers; wherefore he knew that he was a descendant of Joseph; yea, even that Joseph who was the son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt … And thus my father, Lehi, did discover the genealogy of his fathers. And Laban also was a descendant of Joseph, wherefore he and his fathers had kept the records. (1 Nephi 5:14–16)
• And now I, Nephi, do not give the genealogy of my fathers in this part of my record; neither at any time shall I give it after upon these plates which I am writing; for it is given in the record which has been kept by my father [as derived from the brass plates]; wherefore, I do not write it in this work. For it sufficeth me to say that we are descendants of Joseph (1 Nephi 6:1–2)
• For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins; and I am a descendant of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt. And great were the covenants of the Lord which he made unto Joseph. … And now, I, Nephi, speak concerning the prophecies of which my father hath spoken, concerning Joseph, who was carried into Egypt. For behold, he truly prophesied concerning all his seed. And the prophecies which he wrote, there are not many greater. And he prophesied concerning us, and our future generations; and they are written upon the plates of brass. (2 Nephi 3:4–4:2)
• And Aminadi was a descendant of Nephi, who was the son of Lehi, who came out of the land of Jerusalem, who was a descendant of Manasseh, who was the son of Joseph who was sold into Egypt by the hands of his brethren [which genealogy was preserved upon the plates of brass] (Alma 10:3)
• Moroni said unto them: Behold, we are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; yea, we are a remnant of the seed of Joseph, whose coat was rent by his brethren into many pieces; yea, and now behold, let us remember to keep the commandments of God, or our garments shall be rent by our brethren, and we be cast into prison, or be sold, or be slain (Alma 46:23)
• Surely he hath blessed the house of Jacob, and hath been merciful unto the seed of Joseph. And insomuch as the children of Lehi have kept his commandments he hath blessed them and prospered them according to his word. Yea, and surely shall he again bring a remnant of the seed of Joseph to the knowledge of the Lord their God. (3 Nephi 5:21–23)
• Yea, the prophet Zenos did testify of these things, and also Zenock spake concerning these things, because they testified particularly concerning us, who are the remnant of their seed. Behold, our father Jacob also testified concerning a remnant of the seed of Joseph. And behold, are not we a remnant of the seed of Joseph? And these things which testify of us, are they not written upon the plates of brass which our father Lehi brought out of Jerusalem? (3 Nephi 10:16–17)
• For behold, the covenant which I have made with my people is not all fulfilled; but the law which was given unto Moses [on the plates of brass] hath an end in me. …. Ye are my disciples; and ye are a light unto this people, who are a remnant of the house of Joseph (3 Nephi 15:8–12)
• For as Joseph brought his father down into the land of Egypt, even so he died there; wherefore, the Lord brought a remnant of the seed of Joseph out of the land of Jerusalem, that he might be merciful unto the seed of Joseph that they should perish not, even as he was merciful unto the father of Joseph that he should perish not (Ether 13:7)

  11.   Words of Jeremiah

• my father, Lehi, took the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, and he did search them from the beginning. And he beheld that they did contain … the prophecies of the holy prophets, from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah; and also many prophecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah (1 Nephi 5:11)
• And now I would that ye should know, that even since the days of Abraham there have been many prophets that have testified these things; yea, behold, the prophet Zenos did testify boldly; for the which he was slain. And behold, also Zenock, and also Ezias, and also Isaiah, and Jeremiah, (Jeremiah being that same prophet who testified of the destruction of Jerusalem) and now we know that Jerusalem was destroyed according to the words of Jeremiah [Helaman 8:19–20)

12.   Words of Isaiah

• And I did rehearse unto them the words [upon the plates of brass] of Isaiah, who spake concerning the restoration of the Jews, or of the house of Israel (1 Nephi 15:20)
• Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, did teach my brethren these things; and it came to pass that I did read many things to them, which were engraven upon the plates of brass, that they might know concerning the doings of the Lord in other lands, among people of old. And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah (1 Nephi 19:22–23)
• And now, behold, I would speak unto you concerning things which are, and which are to come; wherefore, I will read you [from the plates of brass] the words of Isaiah. … And now, the words which I shall read are they which Isaiah spake concerning all the house of Israel; wherefore, they may be likened unto you, for ye are of the house of Israel. And there are many things which have been spoken by Isaiah which may be likened unto you, because ye are of the house of Israel (2 Nephi 6:4–5)
• And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah [from the plates of brass], for my soul delighteth in his words (2 Nephi 11:2)
• And now I write some of the words of Isaiah [from the plates of brass], that whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all men (2 Nephi 11:8)
• Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written [from the plates of brass], which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand (2 Nephi 25:1)
• for because the words of Isaiah [upon the plates of brass] are not plain unto you …. Yea, and my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah, for I came out from Jerusalem, and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the Jews, …. nevertheless, in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass (2 Nephi 25:4–7)
• Yea, even doth not Isaiah say [upon the plates of brass]: Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? (Mosiah 14:1)
• And after all this, after working many mighty miracles among the children of men, he shall be led, yea, even as Isaiah said, as a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth (Mosiah 15:6)
• And now I would that ye should know, that even since the days of Abraham there have been many prophets that have testified these things [upon the plates of brass]; yea, behold, the prophet Zenos did testify boldly; for the which he was slain. And behold, also Zenock, and also Ezias, and also Isaiah, and Jeremiah (Helaman 8:19–20)
• And then the words [on the plates of brass] of the prophet Isaiah shall be fulfilled, which say (3 Nephi 16:17)
• Ye remember that I spake unto you, and said that when the words of Isaiah should be fulfilled—behold they are written, ye have them before you [on the plates of brass], therefore search them (3 Nephi 20:11)
• And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah [upon the plates of brass] (3 Nephi 23:1)
• Search the prophecies of Isaiah (Mormon 8:23)

  13.   Words of Zenock

• the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, yieldeth himself, according to the words of the angel, as a man, into the hands of wicked men, to be lifted up, according to the words of Zenock …. Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, did teach my brethren these things; and it came to pass that I did read many things to them, which were engraven upon the plates of brass (1 Nephi 19:10–22)
• Now behold, my brethren, I would ask if ye have read the scriptures [plates of brass]? If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God? For it is not written that Zenos alone spake of these things, but Zenock also spake of these things (Alma 33:14–15)
• My brother has called upon the words of Zenos, that redemption cometh through the Son of God, and also upon the words of Zenock; and also he has appealed unto Moses, to prove that these things are true (Alma 34:7)
• And now I would that ye should know, that even since the days of Abraham there have been many prophets that have testified these things [upon the plates of brass]; yea, behold, the prophet Zenos did testify boldly; for the which he was slain. And behold, also Zenock, and also Ezias, and also Isaiah, and Jeremiah (Helaman 8:19–20)
• And now, whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures [including plates of brass], let him search them …. Behold, I say unto you, Yea, many have testified of these things at the coming of Christ, and were slain because they testified of these things. Yea, the prophet Zenos did testify of these things, and also Zenock spake concerning these things, because they testified particularly concerning us, who are the remnant of their see (3 Nephi 10:14–16)

  14.   Words of Neum

• the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, yieldeth himself, according to the words of the angel, as a man, into the hands of wicked men, to be lifted up, according to the words of Zenock, and to be crucified, according to the words of Neum …. Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, did teach my brethren these things; and it came to pass that I did read many things to them, which were engraven upon the plates of brass (1 Nephi 19:10–22)

  15.    Words of Zenos

• the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, yieldeth himself, according to the words of the angel, as a man, into the hands of wicked men, to be lifted up, according to the words of Zenock, and to be crucified, according to the words of Neum, and to be buried in a sepulchre, according to the words of Zenos (1 Nephi 19:10)
• And all these things must surely come, saith the prophet Zenos (1 Nephi 19:12)
• Yea, then will he remember the isles of the sea; yea, and all the people who are of the house of Israel, will I gather in, saith the Lord, according to the words of the prophet Zenos, from the four quarters of the earth (1 Nephi 19:16)
• Behold, my brethren, do ye not remember to have read the words of the prophet Zenos, which he spake unto the house of Israel, saying (Jacob 5:1)
• And now, behold, my brethren, as I said unto you that I would prophesy, behold, this is my prophecy—that the things which this prophet Zenos spake, concerning the house of Israel, in the which he likened them unto a tame olive tree, must surely come to pass (Jacob 6:1)
• Do ye remember to have read [from the plates of brass] what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said concerning prayer or worship? (Alma 33:3)
• Behold, if ye do, ye must believe what Zenos said; for, behold he said: Thou hast turned away thy judgments because of thy Son. Now behold, my brethren, I would ask if ye have read the scriptures [plates of brass]? If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God? For it is not written that Zenos alone spake of these things, but Zenock also spake of these things (Alma 33:13–15)
• My brother has called upon the words of Zenos, that redemption cometh through the Son of God, and also upon the words of Zenock; and also he has appealed unto Moses, to prove that these things are true (Alma 34:7)
• And now I would that ye should know, that even since the days of Abraham there have been many prophets that have testified these things [upon the plates of brass]; yea, behold, the prophet Zenos did testify boldly; for the which he was slain. And behold, also Zenock, and also Ezias, and also Isaiah, and Jeremiah (Helaman 8:19–20)
• Yea, even if they should dwindle in unbelief the Lord shall prolong their days, until the time shall come which hath been spoken of by our fathers, and also by the prophet Zenos, and many other prophets, concerning the restoration of our brethren, the Lamanites, again to the knowledge of the truth (Helaman 15:11)
• And now, whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures [including plates of brass], let him search them …. Behold, I say unto you, Yea, many have testified of these things at the coming of Christ, and were slain because they testified of these things. Yea, the prophet Zenos did testify of these things, and also Zenock spake concerning these things, because they testified particularly concerning us, who are the remnant of their see (3 Nephi 10:14–16)

  16.   Words of Ezias

• And now I would that ye should know, that even since the days of Abraham there have been many prophets that have testified these things [upon the plates of brass]; yea, behold, the prophet Zenos did testify boldly; for the which he was slain. And behold, also Zenock, and also Ezias, and also Isaiah, and Jeremiah (Helaman 8:19–20)

  17.   Preserve Language

• Yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians (1 Nephi 1:2)
• And behold, it is wisdom in God that we should obtain these records [plates of brass], that we may preserve unto our children the language of our fathers (1 Nephi 3:19)
• Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language (Enos 1:1)
• And he caused that they should be taught in all the language of his fathers (Mosiah 1:2)
• For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates [of brass]; for he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings, and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God, even down to this present time (Mosiah 1:4)
• I, Zeniff, having been taught in all the language of the Nephites (Mosiah 9:1)

  18.   Dwindle in Unbelief

• It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief. … Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law. And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass. (1 Nephi 4:13–16)
• But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord—having a knowledge of the creation of the earth, and all men, knowing the great and marvelous works of the Lord from the creation of the world; having power given them to do all things by faith; having all the commandments from the beginning [on the plates of brass] (2 Nephi 1:10)
• And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass …. I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief (Mosiah 1:3–5)
• Yea, even if they should dwindle in unbelief the Lord shall prolong their days, until the time shall come which hath been spoken of by our fathers, and also by the prophet Zenos, and many other prophets [upon the plates of brass], concerning the restoration of our brethren, the Lamanites, again to the knowledge of the truth (Helaman 15:11)

  19.    Great Worth

• And we had obtained the records [plates of brass] which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable; yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children (1 Nephi 5:21)
• it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save there are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the Gentiles (1 Nephi 13:23)
• For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under their feet [soon after this Nephi quotes extensively from the plates of brass] (1 Nephi 19:7)
• in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah [upon the plates of brass] shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass. Wherefore, they are of worth unto the children of men (2 Nephi 25:7–8)
• And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah [upon the plates of brass] (3 Nephi 23:1)

20.   Profit and Learning

• And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them [from the plates of brass] that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning (1 Nephi 19:23)
• And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children (2 Nephi 4:15)

21.   Land Covenant

• Inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the land of promise. Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law. And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass. (1 Nephi 4:14–16)
• And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that they did prosper in the land; and I beheld a book, and it was carried forth among them. … The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass (1 Nephi 13:20–23)
• Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land …. But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord—having a knowledge of the creation of the earth, and all men, knowing the great and marvelous works of the Lord from the creation of the world; having power given them to do all things by faith; having all the commandments [brass plates] from the beginning (2 Nephi 1:9–10)
• And the Lord was with us; and we did prosper exceedingly; for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance. And we began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind. And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written. And it came to pass that we began to prosper exceedingly, and to multiply in the land (2 Nephi 5:11–13)
• But the word of the Lord was verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land. … Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence; teaching the law of Moses [brass plates] (Jarom 1:9–11)
• And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, saying …. I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers (Mosiah 1:3–7)
• Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates [of brass], Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers …. O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the commandments of God. And he said: If ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land (Alma 37:9–13)
• for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual. For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ [plates of brass], which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass (Alma 37:43–44)
• Believest thou the words which I spake unto thee concerning those records [including the plates of brass] which have been kept? …. Then Alma said unto him: Blessed art thou; and the Lord shall prosper thee in this land (Alma 45:2–8)
• Yea, and there was continual peace among them, and exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of God [including the plates of brass] (Alma 49:30)
• Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth, and did declare the word of God [including the plates of brass] with much power unto the convincing of many people of their wickedness, which did cause them to repent of their sins and to be baptized unto the Lord their God. … And the people of Nephi began to prosper again in the land (Alma 62:45–48)
• And so great was the prosperity of the church, and so many the blessings which were poured out upon the people, that even the high priests and the teachers were themselves astonished beyond measure. … Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God [including the plates of brass] (Helaman 3:25–29)

22.   Mysteries

• For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come [Nephi’s statements here follow Lehi’s prophecies which were almost informed, in part, by contents from the plates of brass] (1 Nephi 10:19)
• Wherefore, we search the prophets [plates of brass], and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy …. Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God [including those on the plates of brass] (Jacob 4:6–8)
• Behold, my beloved brethren, I will unfold this mystery unto you; if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, and stumble because of my over anxiety for you. [Jacob then immediately proceeds to quote from the prophet Zenos’s allegory found on the plates of brass] (Jacob 4:18)
• My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates [of brass], which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God …. I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things [plates of brass], which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries (Mosiah 1:3–5)
• Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they [plates of brass] should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon (Alma 37:4)

23.  Remembrance

• Behold, my brethren, do ye not remember to have read the words of the prophet Zenos [upon the plates of brass], which he spake unto the house of Israel (Jacob 5:1)
• And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, saying: My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance …. For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates [of brass] (Mosiah 1:3)
• O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records [plates of brass] are true (Mosiah 1:6)
• And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them [brass plates and Nephite records] diligently, that ye may profit thereby (Mosiah 1:7)
• And now I say unto you that it was expedient that there should be a law given to the children of Israel [recorded on the plates of brass], yea, even a very strict law; for they were a stiffnecked people, quick to do iniquity, and slow to remember the Lord their God. Therefore there was a law given them, yea, a law of performances and of ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God and their duty towards him (Mosiah 13:29)
• Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said [upon the plates of brass] concerning prayer or worship? (Alma 33:3)
• O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the commandments of God. … And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things [plates of brass], which are sacred (Alma 37:13–14)
• Yea, let us preserve our liberty as a remnant of Joseph; yea, let us remember the words of Jacob [upon the plates of brass], before his death, for behold, he saw that a part of the remnant of the coat of Joseph was preserved and had not decayed (Alma 46:24)
• Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things [much of which is contained on the plates of brass], and ponder it in your hearts (Moroni 10:3)

24.   Additional Testimonies

• And he also spake concerning the prophets [writings on the plates of brass], how great a number had testified of these things, concerning this Messiah, of whom he had spoken, or this Redeemer of the world [1 Nephi 10:5]
• Wherefore, my brethren, I would that ye should consider that the things which have been written upon the plates of brass are true; and they testify that a man must be obedient to the commandments of God. Wherefore, ye need not suppose that I and my father are the only ones that have testified, and also taught them [1 Nephi 22:30]
• Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words. Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses [upon the plates of brass] been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world [upon the plates of brass], unto man, are the typifying of him (2 Nephi 11:3–4)
• And I said unto him: Believest thou the scriptures [plates of brass]? And he said, Yea. And I said unto him: Then ye do not understand them; for they truly testify of Christ. Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ (Jacob 7:11)
• My brother has called upon the words of Zenos, that redemption cometh through the Son of God, and also upon the words of Zenock; and also he has appealed unto Moses, to prove that these things are true. And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true (Alma 34:7–8)
• And now, my brethren, I would that, after ye have received so many witnesses, seeing that the holy scriptures [including the plates of brass] testify of these things, ye come forth and bring fruit unto repentance (Alma 34:30)
• And now behold, Moses did not only testify of these things, but also all the holy prophets [as recorded on the plates of brass], from his days even to the days of Abraham …. And now I would that ye should know, that even since the days of Abraham there have been many prophets that have testified these things; yea, behold, the prophet Zenos did testify boldly; for the which he was slain. And behold, also Zenock, and also Ezias, and also Isaiah, and Jeremiah, (Jeremiah being that same prophet who testified of the destruction of Jerusalem) and now we know that Jerusalem was destroyed according to the words of Jeremiah (Helaman 8:16–20)
• Behold, I say unto you, Yea, many have testified of these things at the coming of Christ, and were slain because they testified of these things. Yea, the prophet Zenos did testify of these things, and also Zenock spake concerning these things, because they testified particularly concerning us, who are the remnant of their seed. Behold, our father Jacob also testified concerning a remnant of the seed of Joseph. And behold, are not we a remnant of the seed of Joseph? And these things which testify of us, are they not written upon the plates of brass which our father Lehi brought out of Jerusalem? (3 Nephi 10:15–17)
• Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets [upon the plates of brass], for they truly testified of me (3 Nephi 15:10)

25.   Keep and Preserve

• And behold, it is wisdom in God that we should obtain these records [plates of brass], that we may preserve unto our children the language of our fathers; And also that we may preserve unto them the words which have been spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets (1 Nephi 3:19–20)
• Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. And he prophesied many things concerning his seed (1 Nephi 5:19)
• And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the plates of brass a genealogy of his fathers; wherefore he knew that he was a descendant of Joseph; yea, even that Joseph who was the son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt, and who was preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he might preserve his father, Jacob, and all his household from perishing with famine. And they were also led out of captivity and out of the land of Egypt, by that same God who had preserved them (1 Nephi 5:14)
• And we had obtained the records [plates of brass] which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable; yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children (1 Nephi 5:21)
• Yea, thus prophesied Joseph [upon the plates of brass]: I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord hath said unto me, I will preserve thy seed forever (2 Nephi 3:16)
• For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates [of brass]; for he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings, and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God, even down to this present time. I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites (Mosiah 1:4–5)
• Therefore he took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, and also the plates of Nephi, and all the things which he had kept and preserved according to the commandments of God (Mosiah 28:11)
• And now, as I said unto you, that after king Mosiah had done these things, he took the plates of brass, and all the things which he had kept, and conferred them upon Alma, who was the son of Alma; yea, all the records, and also the interpreters, and conferred them upon him, and commanded him that he should keep and preserve them (Mosiah 28:20)
• And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning—Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord (Alma 37:3–4)
• And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things [plates of brass] should be preserved (Alma 37:8)
• And it may suffice if I only say they [plates of brass] are preserved for a wise purpose, which purpose is known unto God; for he doth counsel in wisdom over all his works, and his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round (Alma 37:12)
• And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things [plates of brass], which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him, that he may show forth his power unto future generations (Alma 37:14)
• For he promised unto them that he would preserve these things [plates of brass] for a wise purpose in him, that he might show forth his power unto future generations. … therefore they shall be preserved (Alma 37:18–19)
• Yea, let us preserve our liberty as a remnant of Joseph; yea, let us remember the words of Jacob [upon the plates of brass], before his death, for behold, he saw that a part of the remnant of the coat of Joseph was preserved and had not decayed. And he said—Even as this remnant of garment of my son hath been preserved, so shall a remnant of the seed of my son be preserved by the hand of God, and be taken unto himself, while the remainder of the seed of Joseph shall perish, even as the remnant of his garment (Alma 46:24)
• And Nephi, the son of Helaman, had departed out of the land of Zarahemla, giving charge unto his son Nephi, who was his eldest son, concerning the plates of brass, and all the records which had been kept, and all those things which had been kept sacred from the departure of Lehi out of Jerusalem (3 Nephi 1:2)

26.   Brass Plates Are True

• Wherefore, my brethren, I would that ye should consider that the things which have been written upon the plates of brass are true; and they testify that a man must be obedient to the commandments of God (1 Nephi 22:30)
• O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records [plates of brass] are true (Mosiah 1:6)
• My brother has called upon the words of Zenos, that redemption cometh through the Son of God, and also upon the words of Zenock; and also he has appealed unto Moses [all writings from the plates of brass], to prove that these things are true (Alma 34:7)

27.   Search

• And after they had given thanks unto the God of Israel, my father, Lehi, took the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, and he did search them from the beginning. (1 Nephi 5:10)
• And we had obtained the records [plates of brass] which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable …. And now I, Nephi, do not give the genealogy of my fathers in this part of my record (1 Nephi 5:21–6:1)
• And for this intent we keep the law of Moses [upon the plates of brass], it pointing our souls to him; … Wherefore, we search the prophets [plates of brass], and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy (Jacob 4:5–6)
• And it came to pass that peace and the love of God was restored again among the people; and they searched the scriptures [plates of brass], and hearkened no more to the words of this wicked man. (Jacob 7:23)
• And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, saying …. I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby (Mosiah 1:3–7)
• And it came to pass after he had made an end of speaking unto the people many of them did believe on his words, and began to repent, and to search the scriptures [including the plates of brass] (Alma 14:1)
• for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures [including the plates of brass] diligently, that they might know the word of God (Alma 17:2)
• But behold, I say unto you, if ye suppose that ye cannot worship God, ye do greatly err, and ye ought to search the scriptures [including the plates of brass]; if ye suppose that they have taught you this, ye do not understand them (Alma 33:2)
• And now, whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures [including the plates of brass], let him search them, and see and behold if all these deaths and destructions by fire, and by smoke, and by tempests, and by whirlwinds, and by the opening of the earth to receive them, and all these things are not unto the fulfilling of the prophecies of many of the holy prophets. … Yea, the prophet Zenos did testify of these things (3 Nephi 10:14–16)
• Ye remember that I spake unto you, and said that when the words of Isaiah [upon the plates of brass] should be fulfilled—behold they are written, ye have them before you, therefore search them (3 Nephi 20:11)
• And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah [upon the plates of brass] … Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things (3 Nephi 23:1–5)
• Search the prophecies of Isaiah [upon the plates of brass]. Behold, I cannot write them (Mormon 8:23)

28.   Nephi Took Plates

• And we did take our tents and whatsoever things were possible for us, and did journey in the wilderness for the space of many days. … And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written (2 Nephi 5:7–12)
• And again, they were wroth with him because he departed into the wilderness as the Lord had commanded him, and took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, for they said that he robbed them (Mosiah 10:16)

29.   Associated with Liahona

• And we did take our tents and whatsoever things were possible for us, and did journey in the wilderness for the space of many days. … And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written (2 Nephi 5:7–12)
• And moreover, he also gave him charge concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass; and also the plates of Nephi; and also, the sword of Laban, and the ball or director, which led our fathers through the wilderness, which was prepared by the hand of the Lord (Mosiah 1:16)
• I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it [Alma discusses several important Nephite artifacts in this chapter, including the plates of brass] (Alma 37:38)
• For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ [including those found on the plates of brass], which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land (Alma 37:44)

30.   Associated with Sword of Laban

• And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written. And I, Nephi, did take the sword of Laban, and after the manner of it did make many swords (2 Nephi 5:12–14)
• And moreover, he also gave him charge concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass; and also the plates of Nephi; and also, the sword of Laban, and the ball or director, which led our fathers through the wilderness (Mosiah 1:16)

31.   Associated with the Interpreters

• And now, as I said unto you, that after king Mosiah had done these things, he took the plates of brass, and all the things which he had kept, and conferred them upon Alma, who was the son of Alma; yea, all the records, and also the interpreters, and conferred them upon him (Mosiah 28:20)
• And now, my son, these interpreters were prepared that the word of God might be fulfilled, which he spake [Alma also discusses the brass plates at length in this chapter] (Alma 37:24)

32.   Retain Brightness

• Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time (1 Nephi 5:19)
• And now behold, if they [plates of brass] are kept they must retain their brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea, and also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ (Alma 37:5)

33.   All Nations

• That these plates of brass should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed (1 Nephi 5:18)
• Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they [plates of brass] should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people (Alma 37:4)