According to Latter Day Saint belief, the golden plates are the source from which Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, a sacred text of the faith. Some accounts from people who reported handling the plates describe the plates as weighing from 30 to 60 pounds, gold in color, and composed of thin metallic pages engraved with hieroglyphics on both sides and bound with three D-shaped rings.
A 21st-century artistic representation of Joseph Smith translating the golden plates by examining a seer stone in his hat.
A 21st-century artistic representation of the Golden plates, Urim and Thummim, Sword of Laban, and Liahona
Full-scale model of the golden plates based on Joseph Smith's description
According to Latter Day Saint theology, seer stones were used by Joseph Smith, as well as ancient prophets, to receive revelations from God. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that Smith used seer stones to translate the Book of Mormon.
Many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that Joseph Smith used this seer stone (along with two others dubbed the "Urim and Thumim") in the Book of Mormon translation effort.
A 21st-century reconstruction of the golden plates and the Urim and Thummim connected to a breastplate.