Origin story of the Brass Plates
- Just before Josiah’s reform
- Isrealites of Joseph’s lineage near Jerusalem, Nephi’s family
- Gets the Brass Plates in 1 Nephi 4
- Records the contents in 1 Nephi 5
Based on the contents described in 1 Nephi 5:11-16 and other Book of Mormon references, the brass plates would have been organized according to the traditional Jewish three-part Tanakh structure, but with unique characteristics reflecting their Northern Kingdom heritage and pre-exilic timeframe.
The Night I Saved History - Zoram’s Choice
A Mother’s Breaking Point - Sariah’s Complaint
Table of Contents - The Brass Plates
Table of Contents - The Brass Plates
תּוֹרָה (TORAH) - “The Law”
- בְּרֵאשִׁית (Genesis) - In the Beginning c. 1500-1200 BCE
- שְׁמוֹת (Exodus) - Names c. 1500-1200 BCE
- וַיִּקְרָא (Leviticus) - And He Called c. 1500-1200 BCE
- בְּמִדְּבַר (Numbers) - In the Wilderness c. 1500-1200 BCE
- דְּבָרִים (Deuteronomy) - Last Words c. 1500-1200 BCE
נְבִיאִים (NEVI’IM) - “The Prophets”
Former Prophets (נְבִיאִים רִאשׁוֹנִים)
- יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Joshua) c. 1200-1000 BCE
- שׁוֹפְטִים (Judges) c. 1200-1000 BCE
- שְׁמוּאֵל א׳ (1 Samuel) c. 1100-1000 BCE
- שְׁמוּאֵל ב׳ (2 Samuel) c. 1000-970 BCE
- מְלָכִים א׳ (1 Kings) c. 970-850 BCE
- מְלָכִים ב׳ (2 Kings) c. 850-600 BCE
Latter Prophets (נְבִיאִים אַחֲרוֹנִים)
- יְשַׁעְיָהוּ (Isaiah) c. 740-690 BCE
- יִרְמְיָהוּ (Jeremiah) c. 627-600 BCE
- הוֹשֵׁעַ (Hosea) c. 750-725 BCE
- עָמוֹס (Amos) c. 760-750 BCE
- מִיכָה (Micah) c. 740-700 BCE
- נַחוּם (Nahum) c. 650-630 BCE
- חֲבַקּוּק (Habakkuk) c. 605-600 BCE
- צְפַנְיָה (Zephaniah) c. 630-625 BCE
Lost Prophetic Writings
- זֵנוֹס (Zenos) c. 800-600 BCE
- זֵנוֹק (Zenock) c. 800-600 BCE
- נְעוּם (Neum) c. 800-600 BCE
- עֶזְיָס (Ezias) c. 800-600 BCE
כְּתוּבִים (KETUVIM) - “The Writings”
Wisdom Literature
- תְּהִלִּים (Psalms) c. 1000-600 BCE
- מִשְׁלֵי (Proverbs) c. 950-700 BCE
Historical Records
Link to original
- תּוֹלְדוֹת יוֹסֵף (Genealogies of Joseph) c. 1700-600 BCE
- דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים הַצְּפוֹנִי (Northern Kingdom Chronicles) c. 930-600 BCE
- נְבוּאוֹת יוֹסֵף (Prophecies of Joseph of Egypt) c. 1700 BCE
Torah (תורה) - “Law” or “Teaching”
Complete Torah Collection
The brass plates contained the full Torah as described in 1 Nephi 5:11: “the five books of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world, and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents.”
Genesis (Bereshit - “In the Beginning”) OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMoses BookOfMormon
- Creation account and early human history
- Stories of the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
- Joseph of Egypt’s account (particularly significant given Lehi’s lineage)
- Likely contained expanded material similar to the Book of Moses revealed to Joseph Smith
- May have included additional details about Joseph of Egypt’s prophecies concerning his latter-day descendants
Exodus (Shemot - “Names”) OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls
- Liberation from Egypt under Moses
- Giving of the Law at Mount Sinai
- The Ten Commandments and covenant laws
- Instructions for the tabernacle
Leviticus (Vayikra - “And He Called”) OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls CriticalConsideration
- Priestly laws and sacrificial system
- Holiness code and ritual purity
- May have contained more complete temple ordinance instructions later edited from biblical versions
- CriticalConsideration: Leviticus underwent significant priestly editing to centralize worship in Jerusalem and eliminate competing priesthoods. The brass plates may have preserved earlier traditions allowing for multiple worship centers and broader priestly authority, which would align with Northern Kingdom practices.
Numbers (Bamidbar - “In the Wilderness”) OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon
- Census and organization of Israel
- Wilderness wanderings
- Balaam’s prophecies, including messianic references
Deuteronomy (Devarim - “Words”) OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon CriticalConsideration
- Moses’ final speeches and the renewal of the covenant
- The Shema and central laws of Israel
- Prophecies about Israel’s future in the promised land
- CriticalConsideration: According to the Documentary Hypothesis, Deuteronomy may have undergone massive editorial revisions during Josiah’s reform (c. 621 BCE), approximately 20+ years after Lehi left Jerusalem. If the brass plates contained a pre-Josianic version of Deuteronomy, it could have differed significantly from our current biblical text, potentially explaining some Book of Mormon variations and theological emphases not found in the standard Hebrew Bible.
Authority and Significance
The Torah section held supreme authority as the foundation of all law and covenant relationship with God. Nephi specifically notes in 1 Nephi 4:15-16 that “the law was engraven upon the plates of brass,” emphasizing its central importance to maintaining covenant faithfulness in the New World.
Nevi’im (נביאים) - “Prophets”
The prophetic section of the brass plates was extensive and contained both historical narratives and prophetic oracles, as described in 1 Nephi 5:12-13.
Former Prophets (Historical Books)
“A record of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah” (1 Nephi 5:12)
Joshua (Yehoshua) OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon CriticalConsideration
- Conquest and settlement of the promised land
- Division of inheritance among the tribes
- Joshua’s farewell and covenant renewal
- CriticalConsideration: As part of the Deuteronomistic History, Joshua was edited during Josiah’s reform to emphasize complete conquest and religious purity. Earlier versions may have acknowledged more complex settlement patterns and religious practices that were later deemed unacceptable.
Judges (Shoftim) OldTestament BookOfMormon
- Period of the judges and Israel’s cyclical apostsy
- Stories of Deborah, Gideon, Samson, and other deliverers
- Samuel’s early ministry
1 & 2 Samuel (Shmuel) OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon CriticalConsideration
- Transition from judges to monarchy
- Saul’s reign and David’s rise
- David’s reign and establishment of Jerusalem
- CriticalConsideration: Part of the Deuteronomistic History, Samuel was likely edited during Josiah’s reform to emphasize Jerusalem and Davidic legitimacy while downplaying competing religious centers. Pre-Josianic versions may have contained different perspectives on monarchy and religious authority.
1 & 2 Kings (Melachim) OldTestament BookOfMormon CriticalConsideration
- Solomon’s reign and temple construction
- Division of the kingdom (particularly relevant to Northern Kingdom heritage)
- Northern Kingdom and Southern Kingdom history through Zedekiah’s early reign (c. 600 BCE)
- Stories of Elijah and Elisha (Northern Kingdom prophets)
- CriticalConsideration: The Deuteronomistic History (including Kings) underwent significant editing during Josiah’s reform to promote centralized worship in Jerusalem and demonize Northern Kingdom religious practices. The brass plates version may have preserved more neutral or positive accounts of Northern Kingdom worship sites and practices that were later condemned in the biblical text.
Latter Prophets (Prophetic Oracles)
“The prophecies of the holy prophets, from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah; and also many prophecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah” (1 Nephi 5:13)
Isaiah (Yeshayahu) OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon GreatIsaiahScroll
- Extensively quoted throughout the Book of Mormon
- Messianic prophecies and prophecies about the scattering and gathering of Israel
- Prophecies about the Assyrian crisis and deliverance of Jerusalem
- Servant songs and prophecies of redemption
Jeremiah (Yirmeyahu) OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls
- Early prophecies (before 600 BCE)
- Warnings about Babylonian captivity
- Prophecies about the new covenant
- May have included material not in our current biblical text
Northern Kingdom Prophets
- Hosea OldTestament BookOfMormon: Prophecies about Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s enduring love
- Amos OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon: Social justice and divine judgment
- Micah OldTestament BookOfMormon DoctrineAndCovenants: Justice, mercy, and messianic prophecies
Additional Pre-Exilic Prophets
- Nahum OldTestament: Prophecies against Nineveh
- Habakkuk OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls: Questions about divine justice
- Zephaniah OldTestament: Day of the Lord prophecies
- Malachi OldTestament BookOfMormon DoctrineAndCovenants: Prophecies quoted by Christ in 3 Nephi 24-25
Unique Prophetic Material
The brass plates contained prophetic writings not found in our current Bible:
Zenos BookOfMormon BrassPlatesOnly
- Author of the great allegory of the olive tree (Jacob 5)
- Prophecies about Christ’s crucifixion and the signs thereof
- Prophecies specifically about the scattering and gathering of Israel
Zenock BookOfMormon BrassPlatesOnly
- Prophecies about Christ and his mission
- Teachings about prayer and worship
Neum BookOfMormon BrassPlatesOnly
- Brief prophetic utterances about the Messiah
Ezias BookOfMormon BrassPlatesOnly
- Prophet mentioned in connection with messianic prophecies
Joseph of Egypt BookOfMormon BookOfJasher TestamentOfTwelvePatriarchs BrassPlatesOnly
- Extended prophecies about his latter-day seed
- Prophecies about Moses and a future seer (likely Joseph Smith)
- Detailed prophecies about the Book of Mormon coming forth
Ketuvim (כתובים) - “Writings”
This section would have been the most incomplete compared to our current Hebrew Bible, as many books traditionally placed in Ketuvim were written during or after the Babylonian exile.
Wisdom Literature
Psalms (Tehillim) OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon Apocrypha
- Early psalms, particularly those attributed to David
- Royal psalms and messianic psalms
- Psalms reflecting temple worship and covenant themes
- Research shows at least 60 examples of Psalm phrases used in the Book of Mormon
- Specific Psalms referenced include 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 14, 18, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 30, 31, 34, 35, 44, 46, 51, 52, 62, 74, 86, 89, 95, 106, 107, 110, 115, 118, and 145
Proverbs (Mishlei) OldTestament BookOfMormon
- Wisdom sayings traditionally attributed to Solomon
- Practical guidance for righteous living
- Book of Mormon contains several allusions to Proverbs, suggesting its presence
Possible Job Material OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls
- Ancient wisdom literature about suffering and divine justice
- Some possible allusions in Book of Mormon but not clearly established
Apocalyptic and Visionary Literature
Book of Enoch Pseudepigrapha DeadSeaScrolls BookOfJubilees EthiopicEnoch
- Ancient apocalyptic literature attributed to Enoch
- Visions of heaven and divine judgment
- Prophecies about the Messiah and the last days
- Material about the Watchers and fallen angels
- Astronomical and calendar information
- The Book of Enoch was widely known in ancient Israel and quoted by New Testament writers
- Given the brass plates’ preservation of non-canonical prophetic material, it likely contained Enochic traditions
- May have included expanded accounts of Enoch’s translation and visions
Historical and Genealogical Records
Genealogical Records “A genealogy of his fathers; wherefore he knew that he was a descendant of Joseph of Egypt; yea, even that Joseph who was the son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt” (1 Nephi 5:14)
- Lineage of Joseph of Egypt: Detailed genealogies tracing descent from Joseph of Egypt through Manasseh
- Tribal records: Genealogies of other tribes, particularly those connected to the Northern Kingdom
- Priestly lineages: Records of Levitical and priestly families
- Royal genealogies: Lineages of Northern Kingdom rulers
Chronicles and Annals
- Court records and official chronicles
- Records of Northern Kingdom history not preserved in biblical sources
- Temple records and religious observances
- Records of prophetic activities and teachings
Missing Elements
Several books found in the current Ketuvim were not yet written or were not included:
Post-Exilic Books Not Present:
- Chronicles OldTestament (written after the exile)
- Ezra-Nehemiah OldTestament (post-exilic period)
- Esther OldTestament (Persian period)
- Daniel OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls (exilic/post-exilic)
- Late wisdom literature like Ecclesiastes OldTestament
Unique Characteristics of the Brass Plates Collection
Northern Kingdom Heritage
The brass plates reflected their origins in the Northern Kingdom (Israel) rather than the Southern Kingdom (Judah):
- Josephite Focus: Genealogies and prophecies centered on the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh
- Northern Prophetic Tradition: Emphasis on prophets like Elijah, Elisha, and other Northern Kingdom figures
- Covenant Emphasis: Focus on the Abrahamic covenant and promises to Joseph’s seed
Pre-Exilic Timeframe
The collection represented scripture as it existed before the Babylonian exile:
- Earlier Textual Traditions: May have preserved earlier versions of texts that were later edited
- More Complete Prophetic Material: Contained prophecies and prophetic material later lost
- Different Canonical Boundaries: Different selection criteria based on Northern Kingdom priorities
Messianic Focus
The brass plates contained extensive messianic prophecy:
- Clear Christ-Centered Theology: Prophecies clearly identifying the coming Messiah
- Redemption Themes: Emphasis on atonement and redemption through the Messiah
- Latter-day Restoration: Prophecies about the scattering and gathering of Israel
Textual Completeness
As Nephi noted, the brass plates contained more than our current Old Testament:
- Additional Prophetic Material: Prophets and prophecies not in the current Bible
- More Complete Historical Records: Fuller accounts of Northern Kingdom history
- Expanded Genealogical Information: More detailed tribal and family records
Significance for Understanding Scripture
The brass plates provide crucial insights into:
- Ancient Israelite Religion: How the gospel was understood and taught in pre-exilic Israel
- Textual Development: How biblical texts developed and were preserved
- Northern Kingdom Perspective: Religious traditions distinct from Jerusalem-centered Judaism
- Messianic Expectation: How ancient Israelites understood and anticipated the coming Messiah
- Covenant Theology: The centrality of covenant relationship with God in ancient Israel
This organization demonstrates that the brass plates were not merely a collection of random religious texts, but a carefully curated library representing the full spectrum of Israelite religious literature, organized according to traditional Jewish principles but reflecting the unique heritage and theological priorities of the Northern Kingdom descendants who preserved them.
Likelihood Assessment Table
Likelihood Assessment Table
Based on scriptural evidence, chronological dating, and Northern Kingdom heritage, here is an assessment of which books and writings were likely on the brass plates:
Book/Writing Category Likelihood Evidence Sources Torah Books Genesis Torah Certain Explicitly mentioned in 1 Nephi 5:11 as “five books of Moses” OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMoses BookOfMormon Exodus Torah Certain Part of “five books of Moses,” Ten Commandments referenced OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls CriticalConsideration Leviticus Torah Certain Part of “five books of Moses,” law referenced in 1 Nephi 4:15-16 OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls CriticalConsideration Numbers Torah Certain Part of “five books of Moses,” brazen serpent story in Alma 33:19-22 OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon Deuteronomy Torah Certain Part of “five books of Moses,” various law references OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon CriticalConsideration Historical Books Joshua Former Prophets Very Likely Part of “record of Jews,” Joshua 24:15 quoted in Alma 30:8 OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon CriticalConsideration Judges Former Prophets Very Likely Part of “record of Jews,” Judges 15:14 quoted in 1 Nephi 7:18 OldTestament BookOfMormon CriticalConsideration 1 & 2 Samuel Former Prophets Very Likely Part of “record of Jews,” various allusions throughout Book of Mormon OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon CriticalConsideration 1 & 2 Kings Former Prophets Very Likely ”Record of Jews…down to Zedekiah,” Elijah/Elisha references OldTestament BookOfMormon CriticalConsideration Major Prophets Isaiah Latter Prophets Certain 478 verses quoted, 21 chapters extensively used OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon GreatIsaiahScroll Jeremiah Latter Prophets Very Likely Explicitly mentioned in 1 Nephi 5:13 as being on brass plates OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls Minor Prophets Hosea Northern Prophet Very Likely Northern Kingdom prophet, Hosea 13:14 alluded to in Mosiah 16:7-8 OldTestament BookOfMormon Amos Northern Prophet Likely Northern Kingdom prophet, brief allusion in Moroni 7:32 OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon Micah Southern Prophet Very Likely Quoted by Christ in 3 Nephi 20:16-20 OldTestament BookOfMormon DoctrineAndCovenants Nahum Pre-Exilic Prophet Possible Pre-exilic dating fits brass plates timeframe OldTestament Habakkuk Pre-Exilic Prophet Possible Pre-exilic dating, found at Qumran OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls Zephaniah Pre-Exilic Prophet Possible Contemporary of Jeremiah, pre-exilic OldTestament Malachi Post-Exilic Prophet Unlikely Post-exilic dating, but quoted by Christ in 3 Nephi 24-25 OldTestament BookOfMormon DoctrineAndCovenants Wisdom Literature Psalms Ketuvim Very Likely 60+ examples of phrases used in Book of Mormon, 33 specific Psalms OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon Apocrypha Proverbs Ketuvim Likely Several allusions in Book of Mormon OldTestament BookOfMormon Job Ketuvim Uncertain Possible allusions but dating unclear OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls Unique Prophetic Material Zenos Brass Plates Prophet Certain Extensively quoted, olive tree allegory in Jacob 5 BookOfMormon BrassPlatesOnly Zenock Brass Plates Prophet Certain Multiple references to his prophecies about Christ BookOfMormon BrassPlatesOnly Neum Brass Plates Prophet Certain Quoted regarding Messiah BookOfMormon BrassPlatesOnly Ezias Brass Plates Prophet Certain Referenced in connection with messianic prophecies BookOfMormon BrassPlatesOnly Expanded Prophetic Material Joseph of Egypt Prophecies Extended Patriarchal Certain Detailed prophecies about latter-day seed and Book of Mormon BookOfMormon BookOfJasher TestamentOfTwelvePatriarchs BrassPlatesOnly Apocryphal/Pseudepigraphic Book of Enoch Apocalyptic Literature Possible Widely known in ancient Israel, fits Northern Kingdom traditions Pseudepigrapha DeadSeaScrolls BookOfJubilees EthiopicEnoch Post-Exilic Books Chronicles Historical Very Unlikely Written after brass plates timeframe OldTestament Ezra-Nehemiah Historical Very Unlikely Post-exilic period OldTestament Esther Historical Very Unlikely Persian period OldTestament Daniel Apocalyptic Unlikely Exilic/post-exilic composition OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls Ecclesiastes Wisdom Very Unlikely Late composition (post-333 BCE) OldTestament
Likelihood Categories:
- Certain: Explicitly mentioned in Book of Mormon or extensively quoted
- Very Likely: Strong evidence from dating, geography, or Book of Mormon allusions
- Likely: Some evidence but not definitive
- Possible: Could fit but limited evidence
- Uncertain: Conflicting or insufficient evidence
- Unlikely: Evidence suggests absence
- Very Unlikely: Chronologically impossible or contradicts brass plates description
Link to original
Likelihood Assessment Table
Likelihood Assessment Table
Based on scriptural evidence, chronological dating, and Northern Kingdom heritage, here is an assessment of which books and writings were likely on the brass plates:
| Book/Writing | Category | Likelihood | Evidence | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torah Books | ||||
| Genesis | Torah | Certain | Explicitly mentioned in 1 Nephi 5:11 as “five books of Moses” | OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMoses BookOfMormon |
| Exodus | Torah | Certain | Part of “five books of Moses,” Ten Commandments referenced | OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls CriticalConsideration |
| Leviticus | Torah | Certain | Part of “five books of Moses,” law referenced in 1 Nephi 4:15-16 | OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls CriticalConsideration |
| Numbers | Torah | Certain | Part of “five books of Moses,” brazen serpent story in Alma 33:19-22 | OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon |
| Deuteronomy | Torah | Certain | Part of “five books of Moses,” various law references | OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon CriticalConsideration |
| Historical Books | ||||
| Joshua | Former Prophets | Very Likely | Part of “record of Jews,” Joshua 24:15 quoted in Alma 30:8 | OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon CriticalConsideration |
| Judges | Former Prophets | Very Likely | Part of “record of Jews,” Judges 15:14 quoted in 1 Nephi 7:18 | OldTestament BookOfMormon CriticalConsideration |
| 1 & 2 Samuel | Former Prophets | Very Likely | Part of “record of Jews,” various allusions throughout Book of Mormon | OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon CriticalConsideration |
| 1 & 2 Kings | Former Prophets | Very Likely | ”Record of Jews…down to Zedekiah,” Elijah/Elisha references | OldTestament BookOfMormon CriticalConsideration |
| Major Prophets | ||||
| Isaiah | Latter Prophets | Certain | 478 verses quoted, 21 chapters extensively used | OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon GreatIsaiahScroll |
| Jeremiah | Latter Prophets | Very Likely | Explicitly mentioned in 1 Nephi 5:13 as being on brass plates | OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls |
| Minor Prophets | ||||
| Hosea | Northern Prophet | Very Likely | Northern Kingdom prophet, Hosea 13:14 alluded to in Mosiah 16:7-8 | OldTestament BookOfMormon |
| Amos | Northern Prophet | Likely | Northern Kingdom prophet, brief allusion in Moroni 7:32 | OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon |
| Micah | Southern Prophet | Very Likely | Quoted by Christ in 3 Nephi 20:16-20 | OldTestament BookOfMormon DoctrineAndCovenants |
| Nahum | Pre-Exilic Prophet | Possible | Pre-exilic dating fits brass plates timeframe | OldTestament |
| Habakkuk | Pre-Exilic Prophet | Possible | Pre-exilic dating, found at Qumran | OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls |
| Zephaniah | Pre-Exilic Prophet | Possible | Contemporary of Jeremiah, pre-exilic | OldTestament |
| Malachi | Post-Exilic Prophet | Unlikely | Post-exilic dating, but quoted by Christ in 3 Nephi 24-25 | OldTestament BookOfMormon DoctrineAndCovenants |
| Wisdom Literature | ||||
| Psalms | Ketuvim | Very Likely | 60+ examples of phrases used in Book of Mormon, 33 specific Psalms | OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls BookOfMormon Apocrypha |
| Proverbs | Ketuvim | Likely | Several allusions in Book of Mormon | OldTestament BookOfMormon |
| Job | Ketuvim | Uncertain | Possible allusions but dating unclear | OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls |
| Unique Prophetic Material | ||||
| Zenos | Brass Plates Prophet | Certain | Extensively quoted, olive tree allegory in Jacob 5 | BookOfMormon BrassPlatesOnly |
| Zenock | Brass Plates Prophet | Certain | Multiple references to his prophecies about Christ | BookOfMormon BrassPlatesOnly |
| Neum | Brass Plates Prophet | Certain | Quoted regarding Messiah | BookOfMormon BrassPlatesOnly |
| Ezias | Brass Plates Prophet | Certain | Referenced in connection with messianic prophecies | BookOfMormon BrassPlatesOnly |
| Expanded Prophetic Material | ||||
| Joseph of Egypt Prophecies | Extended Patriarchal | Certain | Detailed prophecies about latter-day seed and Book of Mormon | BookOfMormon BookOfJasher TestamentOfTwelvePatriarchs BrassPlatesOnly |
| Apocryphal/Pseudepigraphic | ||||
| Book of Enoch | Apocalyptic Literature | Possible | Widely known in ancient Israel, fits Northern Kingdom traditions | Pseudepigrapha DeadSeaScrolls BookOfJubilees EthiopicEnoch |
| Post-Exilic Books | ||||
| Chronicles | Historical | Very Unlikely | Written after brass plates timeframe | OldTestament |
| Ezra-Nehemiah | Historical | Very Unlikely | Post-exilic period | OldTestament |
| Esther | Historical | Very Unlikely | Persian period | OldTestament |
| Daniel | Apocalyptic | Unlikely | Exilic/post-exilic composition | OldTestament DeadSeaScrolls |
| Ecclesiastes | Wisdom | Very Unlikely | Late composition (post-333 BCE) | OldTestament |
Likelihood Categories:
- Certain: Explicitly mentioned in Book of Mormon or extensively quoted
- Very Likely: Strong evidence from dating, geography, or Book of Mormon allusions
- Likely: Some evidence but not definitive
- Possible: Could fit but limited evidence
- Uncertain: Conflicting or insufficient evidence
- Unlikely: Evidence suggests absence
- Very Unlikely: Chronologically impossible or contradicts brass plates description