Joseph Smith's Gold Plates

A Cultural History

By: Richard Lyman Bushman

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

According to Joseph Smith, in September of 1823, an angel appeared to him and directed him to a hill near his home. Buried there, Smith found a box containing a stack of thin metal sheets, gold in color and covered with what appeared to be ancient engravings. Exactly four years later, the angel instructed Smith to translate the plates into English. When the text was published, a new religion was born.

The plates have had a long and active life, and the question of their reality has hovered over them from the beginning. Months before the Book of Mormon was published, newspapers began reporting on the discovery of a Golden Bible. Within a few years, over a hundred articles had appeared. Critics denounced Smith as a charlatan for claiming to have a wondrous object that he refused to show while believers countered by pointing to witnesses who said they saw the plates. Two hundred years later, the mystery of the gold plates remains.

In this book, renowned historian of Mormonism Richard Lyman Bushman offers a cultural history of the gold plates. Bushman examines how the plates have been imagined by both believers and critics—and by treasure-seekers, novelists, artists, scholars, and others—from Smith's first encounter with them to the present. Why have they been remembered, and how have they been used? And why do they remain objects of fascination to this day? By examining these questions, Bushman sheds new light on Mormon history and the role of enchantment in the modern world.

©2023 Richard Lyman Bushman (P)2024 Dreamscape Media

The deep dive I was hoping for

Well done. Covers the historical narrative as well as the long lasting cultural impact. Does a great job of asking the right questions and providing the answers as provided by academics and historians inside and out of the church.

Lots of insights

I learned numerous new facts, gained many insights, and enjoyed listening to the book. Scholarly yet accessible to a non-scholar.

An unexpectedly comprehensive study of the mystery and marvel of the vehicle that led to the creation of Mormonism.

The name of the book seemed simplistic, especially next to the accomplished author's name. No historian has been more thorough in his study of Joseph Smith and the origins of Mormonism. His remarkable career as a Harvard historian is itself an anomaly. Bushman has again combined exhaustive historical analysis and objectivity with faith, understanding, and a personal passion for the truth to produce the most thorough history of the the mystical Golden Plates to date, He repeatedly asks the doubters, critics, and believers to answer the question, "Why golden plates?"

Bushman nailed it again

Bushman leaves no stone unturned with his remarkable telling of the history of Joseph Smith and the Golden Plates

Objects & Faith

An interesting study. But as with any study of the Bible or any other ancient religious text or object, proof is illusive. Ultimately, belief and faith of text or objects is in the heart of the student as they seek inspiration from God. For me, the marvelous nature of the teachings contained in the Book of Mormon, especially in its powerful witness and testament of the Savior Jesus Christ, transcends every element described in this book by Bushman.

Fascinating book about an important topic

Great narration, great writing, great analysis. Will likely buy the print copy too so I can use it as a reference.