The golden plates that were the original B of M were taken somewhere by the angel Moroni. This happened after Joseph Smith had finished translating them into the B of M that we use today. In response to Glenn: Thanks for correcting me Glenn. The answer I originally gave was all I could come up with after I had been researching.

You mean the “claim” of original plates. There have never been any golden plates. Joseph Smith conjured up a fairy tale. Concerning the gold plates, why did the prophet-historian Mormon “abridge” them? Words which are synonymous with abridge include: abbreviate, shorten, condense, reduce, and summarize. So-what was subtracted in the abridgment? Would this mean that the Book of Mormon is really like a Readers’ Digest edition of the gold plates? Why did the gold plates possess the material in the first place if it needed to be abridged? It is claimed that Mormon gave his “abridged” copy of the gold plates (and-did anyone see him copy them? Were they checked for accuracy and rechecked for corrections like our Biblical manuscripts?) to his son Moroni who added more words. Which words are Moroni’s and why did he abridge the abridgement? Can anyone imagine Moses condensing the Ten Commandments after God gave them on the mount? Also, Moroni, it is alleged, hid the gold tablets in the hill Cumorah. Where is this mountain? The Christian can walk to the Mount of Olives, Mt. Sinai, and other geographical locations mentioned in the Bible. It would be difficult to take a tour-bus to visit Mt. Cumorah. As we evaluate this religious system other questions should be asked. For instance, how did Moroni become glorified? This is against Bible teaching which is supposed to be similar to the Book of Mormon. http://www.parchmentministries.com/hall_of_learning/misc9.shtml

Nothing happens to something that didn't exist. Joseph Smith conjured up a gold plates fairy tale. The following shows why there were no plates. The Religion of the Golden Plates The Mormons, also called the Church of the Latter-Day Saints, easily falls under the category of “devised fables” mentioned by Peter in his second epistle (1:16, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”) There are millions of Mormons which live in the U.S. and around the world which promote a doctrine system worthy of inspection by the careful Christian. Concerning the gold plates, why did the prophet-historian Mormon "abridge" them? Words which are synonymous with abridge include: abbreviate, shorten, condense, reduce, and summarize. So-what was subtracted in the abridgment? Would this mean that the Book of Mormon is really like a Readers' Digest edition of the gold plates? Why did the gold plates possess the material in the first place if it needed to be abridged? It is claimed that Mormon gave his "abridged" copy of the gold plates (and-did anyone see him copy them? Were they checked for accuracy and rechecked for corrections like our Biblical manuscripts?) to his son Moroni who added more words. Which words are Moroni's and why did he abridge the abridgement? Can anyone imagine Moses condensing the Ten Commandments after God gave them on the mount? Also, Moroni, it is alleged, hid the gold tablets in the hill Cumorah. Where is this mountain? The Christian can walk to the Mount of Olives, Mt. Sinai, and other geographical locations mentioned in the Bible. It would be difficult to take a tour-bus to visit Mt. Cumorah. As we evaluate this religious system other questions should be asked. For instance, how did Moroni become glorified? This is against Bible teaching which is supposed to be similar to the Book of Mormon. http://www.parchmentministries.com/hall_of_learning/misc9.shtml

You cant "fight" religious claims with other "religious" claims, in the end its just matter of faith, it cant be proved, or backed up, and since humans wont learn from other's experiences, unless you have had your own revelations, you wont believe... kinda paradoxical inst it?

My understanding is that the angels took them back.

Maybe the original plates are still around. If this was publicised, obviousely, many people would search for it, or even steal it. The are artifact collectors that go through great lenghts to own certian items, like paintings and other manuscripts. What if these plates are told to be lost or hiden, to distract anyone from looking for them. God works in mysterious ways. With God, all things are possible. Anonymous

I don't know but it would be very interesting to read them wouldn't it. Primary evidence and all that?

The church teaches that Joseph Smith gave the plates to Maroni the angle.

in john smiths imagination

According to record, they were returned to the Angel Moroni. There is some talk of a cave that might have been involved, but whatever role that may or may not play in things, Joseph Smith no longer had them after they had served their purpose.

A logical proof that Mormonism is false Mormonism teaches that God used to be a man on another world and that he became a god (this is called exaltation) and came to this world with his goddess wife. He was able to become a god because he followed the laws and ordinances of the god he served on another world. That god in turn was exalted by his god, who was exalted by his god, ad infinitum. In other words, there is a progression of gods being formed as far back as you look in time. Truth does not contradict itself. If I gave two statements about a subject and the two statements contradicted each other, then you would know something was wrong. The law of non contradiction states that something cannot be both true and false in the same sense at the same time. In other words, truth does not contradict itself. This is basic logic. That which is true is internally consistent and contains no logical impossibilities. If something does contain a logical impossibility, then it cannot be true. Mormonism teaches an infinite regression of causes. This means that it teaches that each god was made a god by a previous god. This means that as far back as you look in time, this process has always been occurring. This means that from an infinity of time in the past, the Mormon plan of exaltation (become gods) has been in effect. The only problem is that this is logically impossible. Since it is logically impossible, this means that Mormonism is false. Let's look closer. There cannot be an infinite regression of causes. It is logically impossible. Why? Because you can not cross an infinity. In other words, in order for us to get to the present state of this god on this planet, there would have had to be an infinite number of exaltations in the past. But, this cannot be because in order to get to the present, you would have to transverse an infinity of exaltations and that is impossible since you cannot transverse an infinity -- if you could cross (transverse) an infinity of time, then it isn't infinite. Therefore, the Mormon system of infinite regressions of exaltations to godhood is impossible and Mormonism is proven false. Simple. However, Mormons will not give in to a logical proof since their testimonies are not based on facts, but on what they claim is a testimony of the Holy Spirit. Of course, all cult groups have testimonies that their church is true (proving that testimonies are contradictory and untrustworthy as a means to determining truth). Nevertheless, they are taught to "feel" theological truth, not think it through. How then do they respond to this logical proof that Mormonism is false? Normally they say that it is a mystery. Mysteries are fine, but they cannot suffice as an explanation if they contradict logic. In other words, if a principle is blatantly illogically, it cannot be true. Did you get that? It cannot be true. Saying it is a mystery means nothing if the proclamation of that mystery violates the laws of logic. Mormonism is proven false. What is the truth? Okay, so if the Mormon principle of eternal regression of exaltations is logically impossible, then what is the truth? The truth is that there is a single uncaused cause. Logic necessitates that there must be a single being who is without beginning and upon which time has no meaning or affect who is the single uncaused cause. The Bible says that God is unchanging (unlike the Mormon god) and that he has been God from eternity. This is exactly what logic necessitates as being true. The God of Christianity is not an exalted man from another planet with a goddess wife. The God of Christianity has always been God and has never been anything else. Check out the following verses. "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed," (Mal. 3:6). "Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God," (Psalm 90:2). What is sad is that this simple logical proof, and it is a proof that Mormonism is false, will mean basically nothing to those whose spiritual eyes have been blinded by the god of this world. "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God," (2 Cor. 4:3-4).

This may be too in depth but i'll go ahead and anwser for fun. The book of mormon mentions 4 different plates The Brass Plates The Small Plates of Nephi The Large Plates of Nephi The Plates of Ether The Brass Plates are the writing of the Old Testament up until the time that Lehi and his family left Jeruesalum(600 B.C) They also contain writings from prophets that we currently don't have in our old testament. A few of these lost Prophets teachings can be found quoted in the Book of Mormon as well as Isaiah. The Small Plates Where written by 9 authors and is made up of the first 6 books of the Book of Mormon. They were created specifically to give a spiritual account of the people. The Large Plates Where written by 17 authors and is made up of the next 6 books in the book of Mormon. They were mainly a history of the people. So the prophet Mormon abridged these plates and focused on adding the spiritual aspects to the account. In Between the Small and Large Plates is the book the "words of mormon" which explains all this stuff im telling you. The Plates of Ether where written by a prophet named ether who inscribed the history of the Jaredite people. These people came to America during the time of the tower of Babel when the Lord separated the people by different languages. There history is roughly between 2000 bc - 300 bc. this is known as the book of Ether. These plates where found by the Nephites and translated by one of their prophets. All of these plates where brought together to make the Gold Plates or Book of Mormon. So when you Say What happen to the original plates if your talking about just the Gold Plates they where given back to the angel Moroni. I believe the last people to see them where the eight witnesses. If you are talking about all the other plates Mormon tells us that he took them and hid them in the hill Cumorah. This is the hill where the Nephites had their last battle. It is almost certainly not the hill where his son Moroni buried the Gold Plates with the same name. Just a side note: when Joseph Smith claimed to have received ancient writings on gold plates no one had ever heard of such a thing. They pretty much called him an idiot. In the last 50 years, long after All those who laughed at the idea of gold plates died, Archealogist have found many writings on metal plates including gold many dating back to the region and time period the Lehi left Jerusalem. The dead sea scrolls have some writings on a copper plate. They call it the copper scroll.

I am going to state the often overlooked obvious answer here. The golden plates HAD to be given back to the angel and taken away, because for the existence of those plate to be known, and seen by all, would mean that there would be no faith, for all would know for a surety that Joseph's account of things was true. God and Jesus want us to act in faith, not in sure knowledge. To gain a sure knowledge and then to sin is a very terrible thing. So, the claim by bigoted Mormon-haters that they'd believe in the Mormon faith if they could see the plates is an abomination before the will of God. No one should want to know for a fact, in this manner. That sure knowledge is better left for the next life.

Just a side note: when Joseph Smith claimed to have received ancient writings on gold plates no one had ever heard of such a thing. They pretty much called him an idiot. Nuff' said.

I am going to respond to Wishuponastar, who said"for the existence of those plate to be known, and seen by all, would mean that there would be no faith, for all would know for a surety that Joseph's account of things was true." The existence of the plates wouldn't prove anything other than the claim that the Book of Mormon is based on a historical record. I can go to the museum and see an illuminated manuscript of the Bible that is hundreds of years old. That doesn't prove anything to me other than the fact that the Bible as we know it today is in fact hundreds of years old. I still have to have faith in what is contained in the pages. The Dead Sea Scrolls don't prove anything either. A person's faith comes from inside, from what they want to believe, not from what they know exists. The facts are that all of the witnesses eventually left the Church. THey supposedly saw the plates, and they still left the Church. I guess seeing apparently is not beleiving. There are enough anachronisms in the Book of Mormon and enough unintentional quotes from the New Testament to cast doubt on Joseph's claims. Showing everyone the plates and confirming publicly the existence of the plates only would have helped his cause. But he didn't show them to everyone, because he didn't have them.

In the introduction to the Book of Mormon Joseph Smith, Speaking of the plates and Moroni, the Messenger who had delivered them in to his care, says "When, according to arrangements, the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him; and he has them in his charge until this day, being the second day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.”

I can't top this answer so I've clipped it: (with apologies and gratitude to "Gramps" the author) "The golden plates upon which the Book of Mormon was written have had quite a history, and it is rather well documented. We first learn about them from the visit of the Angel Moroni to Joseph Smith on September 21, 1823. During this visit Moroni told Joseph that the plates and the urim and thummim were buried nearby, and showed him their location. The next day Joseph went to the place, removed a stone that covered the recepticle where they were, and saw both the plates and the urim and thummim, just as they had been described. The plates were retreived by the Prophet four years later on September 22, 1827. When the translation was finished the Prophet returned the plates to the Angel Moroni. However, information on the return of the plates is much less precise than what we know about the time that they were recieved. The axact date that they were returned is apparently not known. However, we read in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism that the plates were returned to the Angel Moroni in 1829. It would have to have been after they were shown to the Three Witnesses in June of that year. Elder Bruce R. McConkie makes the following statement in Mormon Doctrine, p.327, “The actual translation of the portion we now have as the Book of Mormon did not take place until between April 7 and June 11, 1829. Thereafter the plates were returned to the custody of Moroni. (Jos. Smith 2:27-65).”" Link to source = http://www.askgramps.org/what-happened-golden-plates-after-joseph-smith-finished/ And just for fun I've attached a few mock ups of the Golden Plates that some folks have done.

just as they hated me so they will hate ye also...sound like mormon haters to me!!!!

They were buried to be protected. I am not a Mormon but thats the answer I think is right.

After sending His own son [Jesus] to us, to be a sacrifice [ to remove death from us...after Armageddon] WHY would God relegate Jesus to the role of a minor prophet and send more information via an ordinary man. [joseph Smith]. And about the golden plates...Why so spectacular? Was God SPECTACULAR with Jesus? No.everything was kept very 'low key'. It was Jesus' message that was important. And his death was...for all time... Not something that was to be added to later. (1 Peter 3:18) Why, even Christ died once for all time concerning sins, a righteous [person] for unrighteous ones, that he might lead YOU to God, he being put to death in the flesh, but being made alive in the spirit. Jesus lead us to God via his teaching...No one else was necessary. So if the mormon religion is not supported by God, it can only be another 'tool' of Satan. Making it just another branch of false religion..."Babylon the Great." And we know what the Bible says about 'her" (Revelation 18:4-5) And I heard another voice out of heaven say: “Get out of her, my people, if YOU do not want to share with her in her sins, and if YOU do not want to receive part of her plagues. 5 For her sins have massed together clear up to heaven, and God has called her acts of injustice to mind.

they never existed. Not a single person, besides Joe, ever saw the alleged plates. The alleged plates would have been very heavy. Yet Joe said he ran through the woods carrying them. He must have been extremely strong to do that. Joe was unable to reproduce the initial text, he wrote, that was taken as a verification test. The Book of Mormon is supposed to be the “The Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on this Earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than any other book.” Yet, the Mormon religion contradicts the Book of Mormon. All the hundreds of corrections and errors within the book. How did slick Joe write the book of Mormon??? ______________________________________________________________ "I cheerfully certify that I was familiar with the manner of Joseph Smith’s translating the book of Mormon. He translated the most of it at my Father’s house. And I often sat by and saw and heard them translate and write for hours together. Joseph never had a curtain drawn between him and his scribe while he was translating. He would place the director in his hat, and then place his [face in his] hat, so as to exclude the light, and then [read] to his scribe the words as they appeared before him." "I will now give you a description of the manner in which the Book of Mormon was translated. Joseph Smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light; and in the darkness the spiritual light would shine. A piece of something resembling parchment would appear, and on that appeared the writing. One character at a time would appear, and under it was the interpretation in English. Brother Joseph would read off the English to Oliver Cowdery, who was his principal scribe, and when it was written down and repeated to Brother Joseph to see if it was correct, then it would disappear, and another character with the interpretation would appear. Thus the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God, and not by any power of man." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ So, Joe's god gave him each and every character to tell the scribe to write done and repeat back to him. There are/were thousands of errors in the BOM. LDS will right it off as translation errors. Yet, old Joe (so proud of himself) stated that the charactors would not change until the scribe repeated what he wrote down. ______________________________________________________________ So, either Joe's god was illiterate or the book is a hoax.

I see two reasonable possibilities: #1# They never existed #2# They did exist - because Smith himself had created them - but at some point Smith needed money badly and had them melted down and the gold sold to ease his financial difficulty.