The Sword of Laban and Gold Plates currently rests upon the gold plates, in the Hill Cumorah according to Pres. Brigham Young:
"I lived right in the country where the plates were found from which the Book of Mormon was translated, and I know a great many things pertaining to that country. I believe I will take the liberty to tell you of another circumstance that will be as marvelous as anything can be. This is an incident in the life of Oliver Cowdery, that he did not take the liberty of telling such things in meeting as I take.
"I tell these things to you, and I have a motive for doing so. I want to carry them to the ears of my brethren and sisters, and to the children also, that they may grow to an understanding of some things that seem to be entirely hidden from the human family. Oliver Cowdery went with the Prophet Joseph when he deposited these plates. Joseph did not translated all of the plates; there was a portion of them sealed, which you can learn from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. When Joseph got the plates, the angel instructed him to carry them back to the Hill Cumorah, which he did.
"Oliver says that when Joseph and Oliver went there, the hill opened, and they walked into a cave, in which there was a large and spacious room. He says he did not think, at the time, whether they had the light of the sun or artificial light, but that it was just as light as day. They laid the plates on a table; it was a large table that stood in the room. Under this table there was a pile of plates as much as two feet high, and there were altogether in this room more plates than probably many wagon loads; they were piled up in corners and along the walls.
"The first time they went there the SWORD OF LABAN hung upon the wall; but when they went again it had been taken down and laid upon the table across the gold plates; it was unsheathed, and on it was written these words: 'This sword will never be sheathed again until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our God and his Christ." I tell you this is coming not only from Oliver Cowdery, but others who were familiar with it, and who understood it... I take the liberty of referring to those things so they will not be forgotten and lost." (19 Journal of Discourses 38)
What are your thoughts?.
I know the story of the sword, but I was under the impression that the plates were taken up and not left on the earth. In either case I believe this hiding place can only be uncovered with spiritual hands else why name the location.
QUOTE (LDS_forever @ 21-Jun 04, 10:17 PM) |
If like Brigham Young said the gold plates and sword of Laban are in the Hill Cumorah, what would be the purpose of it?. |
I love to imagine Moroni, in those 20 years when he was alone, excavating that underground room, furnishing it, building that table on which to do his work of editing and assembling the plates. He probably lived there, hiding out from his enemies and guarding the histories of his people.
I never really gave it any thought until I read this but I believe like Nighthawk said, To give the anti-Mormons fuel. For those who are spiritually sighted and guided by God to find the Cave will find it when it is ready for it's treasure to be found, and to confound the faithless Gentiles.