KnoWhy #366 - Why Were the Plates Present During the Translation of the Book of Mormon? (Mosiah 1:6)

People are sometimes surprised to discover that the plates of the Book of Mormon were not regularly used during the process of its translation. Most often, they simply lay covered with a linen cloth on a nearby table. This has caused some to wonder why the plates were necessary at all. This KnoWhy explores the following possible reasons: (1) The engraved characters copied from their pages helped strengthen the faith of Martin Harris and others. (2) The plates’ tangible reality was an ever-present reminder that Joseph’s words were derived from an actual record of ancient prophets. (3) Their veiled presence meaningfully symbolized Jesus Christ’s full participation in the translation.