Challenge questions 2 & 3

Who wrote the Book of Mormon?

Ancient prophets, such as Nephi, Jacob, Mormon, and Mormon's son Moroni were its primary authors. Mormon compiled and abridged the record kept by prophets about their history, prophecies and teachings. He also included some of his own experiences. Mormon engraved this record on bound sheets of metal, gold in color which are often referred to as the golden plates.

After Mormon's death, Moroni finished the record and buried it in a hill to preserve it for our day. In 1823 Moroni appeared as an angel to Joseph Smith and showed him where the record was buried. Four years later, Joseph was permitted to obtain the records. He translated the record through the gift and power of God into English from the ancient language it was written in. He then published and distributed the Book of Mormon.

What happened to the original record-the golden plates?

Joseph Smith obtained the plates in September 1827 and had them until the spring of 1829. When he wrote his history in 1838, he explained what happened to the plates: "When according to the arrangements, the messenger Moroni 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." -Joseph Smith History 1:60