Book of the Law of the Lord/Plates of Brass Comparison

To those charged to keep these records: keep them safe, keep them hidden until Fullness of Times; for in them are the manna to feed Israel, and in them are the coat of many colors preserved unto the seed of our father, Joseph, as given Him by his Father, Jacob; and in Israel is found the straight path to YHVH Elohim.” -Plates of Brass, Title Page

Many readers have asked about the relationship between the Book of the Law of the Lord translated by James J. Strang and the Plates of Brass I am currently translating. While both works are connected to ancient records and the prophetic calling to bring forth scripture, there are important similarities and differences in how these records were received, translated, and presented.

Seeing the Similarities

The Book of the Law of the Lord translated by James J. Strang, and my translation of the Plates of Brass share a common foundation in the belief that God continues to reveal ancient records in the latter days. Both works arise from the restoration tradition that began with Joseph Smith Jr, which teaches that sacred texts preserved in antiquity can be brought forth again through divine guidance. In both cases, the prophet James and I state clearly that the work was accomplished not through ordinary scholarship alone, but through revelation and spiritual means provided by God.

Both records also emphasize the Torah, teachings, and covenant traditions associated with Moses and the early Israelite people. The Book of the Law of the Lord presents commandments and teachings attributed to Moses preserved on ancient plates, and the translation of the Plates of Brass likewise restores writings connected to Moses, along with other ancient prophets and prophetesses. In this sense, both works attempt to recover portions of the ancient scriptural heritage that was not preserved in the traditional biblical canon, expanding the body of restoration scripture alongside texts such as the Book of Mormon. These are the most basic similarities, without diving into the translation. For more on what they both have in common, there is a helpful reference at the bottom of this article where readers can find and compare the two translations.

Understanding the Differences

First is the nature of the records. According to historical witnesses, James Strang possessed a set of eighteen metal plates. These plates were described as loose sheets, each measuring roughly seven to eight inches wide and about nine inches long. In contrast, the plates I have seen are a similar size but far more numerous. Rather than being loose, they are bound together with oval rings, forming a much larger and more extensive record.

The method of translation also differs. James Strang translated his plates using the Urim and Thummim, following a pattern familiar to readers of the Book of Mormon and some reports of the translation process of Joseph Smith. I am translating the Plates of Brass through visionary experiences. In these states, I do not physically possess the plates or pages themselves, but instead receive the text through revelation and vision as I was shown the record, also similar to other accounts of Joseph translating the Book of Mormon.

Another important distinction is the scope of the translation. Strang translated only the selections that were necessary for guiding the church and kingdom he was establishing in his time. By contrast, I have translated the complete Books of Moses from the brass plates, with additional books still forthcoming. This suggests that the two works serve different purposes: one focused on immediate governance and instruction, and the other on restoring a broader body of ancient scripture.

The question of witnesses also differs between the two accounts. James Strang had several individuals who testified that they had seen and handled the physical plates. In my case, the message received from the Lord was different: God Himself would stand as the witness. Rather than relying on physical witnesses alone, readers are invited to seek their own spiritual confirmation. This pattern is familiar to those who have studied the Book of Mormon, where individuals are encouraged to pray and ask God directly for a personal witness of its truth.

Searching for the Book of the Law of the Lord

After completing the translation of the Five Books of Moses from the brass plates, I attempted to locate the Book of the Law of the Lord within that translation. Using the search function in Word, I discovered just over half of the material from Strang’s book in the text. This raised an important question: where were the remaining sections?

Seeking guidance, I prayed and was shown the answer in vision. I was taken back to the cave where the plates were located and shown that some portions of the Book of the Law of the Lord I had missed in my initial Word Search, resulting in 29 chapters from the Book of the Law of the Lord in the five Books of Moses. More surprisingly, other sections were not found within the five books of Moses at all. Instead, eighteen Chapters from the Book of the Law of the Lord were found in other books in the plates as quotations of Moses, four of which appeared in both Moses’ books and other parts of the plates. The remaining five chapters are modern writings or revelations. They would not be found on the plates, though one of his revelations, Inheritances, was similar to Judgements of YHVH 1:4-20.

This discovery offered a possible explanation for why James Strang was given loose plates rather than a bound record. The material he was called to translate was not located in a single continuous section of the plates. Instead, the passages were scattered across different parts of the record. By giving him specific loose plates containing those passages, he received exactly what was necessary to complete the work he had been called to do. Because of this, a perfect one-to-one comparison between the two records should not necessarily be expected. Rather than contradicting one another, these differences may point to a larger pattern of restoration, one in which different prophets are given different portions of ancient records according to the purposes of God in their own time.

Why This Matters to Latter Day Saints

While this may be interesting to some, why might it matter to the greater Latter Day Saint movement? Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Brighamite), the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite), and Community of Christ (the Restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) and all other Latter Day Saint churches, sects, and denomination share a common heritage in the Restoration movement that began through Joseph Smith Jr. Central to our movement is the belief that God has preserved sacred records and continues to reveal truth in the latter days. Because of this shared foundation, members of these different traditions may find value in exploring both translations of the Plates of Brass. The Plates of Brass are already an important part of Restoration scripture through their role in the Book of Mormon, where they are described as containing the writings of Moses and many ancient prophets. A modern effort to translate those records naturally invites curiosity among those who believe such records once existed.

And these plates of brass which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning. And behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers that they should be kept, and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon.”

–Alma 17:32-33 [37:3-4]

Latter-day Saints

For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Brighamite), reading this translation may be interesting because it expands on the scriptural world described in the Book of Mormon. The Nephite record repeatedly refers to the Plates of Brass as a foundational source of Torah, prophecy, and genealogy. A modern translation restoring writings from that same record may therefore provide additional context for the traditions, teachings, and prophetic voices that shaped early Israelite faith as understood within Restoration scripture.

Latter Day Saints

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) may find particular interest in the work because their own tradition includes the translation of ancient plates through James J. Strang. The Strangite community has long been open to the idea that additional ancient records may yet come forth through divine means. Because of this, a translation of the Plates of Brass may resonate with themes already present in their history, namely that God can reveal lost scripture to guide His people in different eras.

Reorganized Latter Day Saints

For members of Community of Christ, the value of reading such a work may lie in its potential to stimulate thoughtful exploration of Restoration history and scripture. Community of Christ has often emphasized continuing revelation, thoughtful study, and openness to spiritual insight. Engaging with a translation of the Plates of Brass can encourage reflection on the scriptural imagination of the early Restoration, the role of ancient records in that tradition, and the enduring question of how God might continue to inspire seekers of faith today.

In this way, people from these different branches of the Restoration movement may approach the translation from different perspectives, yet share a common curiosity. Each tradition traces its roots to the same foundational story: that God revealed ancient scripture again in modern times. Because of that shared heritage, the idea that additional records, especially the Plates of Brass, might be explored and studied continues to hold interest for many who value the ongoing search for truth within the Restoration tradition.

Comparison List

For faster reference, books in the Torah of Moses are highlighted in yellow, the Record of the Jews (as Nephi called it) in green, and the Prophecies of the Holy Prophets in blue.

Read the Plates of Brass here.

This article has been updated from the original 2023 version.