What is really in the sealed part of the Book of Mormon Plates?
And I have said, “How many in the congregation would like to read the sealed portion of the plates?” And there are many who have not read the Book of Mormon, the unsealed portion.
In verse 21 of 2 Nephi 27, the Lord prophetically forbids Joseph to touch “the things which are sealed” – just as Moroni would later forbid him to do. [2 Ne. 27:21] (See George Q. Cannon, Life Of Joseph Smith the Prophet, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1986, p. 45.) Before ending his earthly ministry, Moroni himself wrote to the future translator of his record: “I have told you the things which I have sealed up; therefore touch them not in order that ye may translate; for that thing is forbidden you, except by and by it shall be wisdom in God.” (Ether 5:1)
In the Doctrine and Covenants we have a brief transcript of a writing of John from a leather scroll that Joseph Smith saw in a vision. Since the language of that text is close to the Gospel of John but more expansive and in a more personal tone, we may have in section 7, as well as in section 93, some of John’s earlier or more complete Gospel that we are told will be brought forth in our dispensation (D&C 93:18), depending on our faith. — Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual
We have not received, by any means, all of the word of the Lord. I think we have received most of the word of the Lord that is required until the Second Coming. The Lord has given all that people in the world have the spiritual capacity to receive at this time. There is going to be another great dispensation, that is, another great period of enlightenment, when he comes; and at that time he will reveal all things, such as the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon. But he will not reveal the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon now, and let us publish it to the world, because what it contains is so far beyond the spiritual capacity of men that it would drive people away from the truth rather than lead them to the truth. Actually, it is an act of mercy for the Lord to limit, to a particular people, the amount of revelation they receive. — Elder Bruce R. McConkie, “This General Shall Have My Word Through You,” BYU Symposium, June 27, 1979
Elder McConkie's quote may explain this additional quote if it is accurate. "On May 23, 1843, I listened to a discourse preached in the Nauvoo temple, which was then only partially finished. Brother Joseph was talking on the pre-existence of our spirits, and our relations to God in the spirit world, and our standing in the family circle of our Father. Now I am telling the truth, and I remember that while thus talking he suddenly turned around to the Apostles sitting on the stand and said in effect: 'Brethren, if I were to rell you all I know of the kingdom of God, I do know that you would rise up and kill me.' Brother Brigham arose and said, 'Don't tell me anything that I can't bear, for I don't want to apostatize.' Brother Joseph, addressing the Apostles, then said: 'The weight of this kingdom has been as a millstone around my neck, but I am going to roll it off on your shoulders, and then the kingdom of God will go on.' There were eleven of the Apostles present at this time. Among them I saw Parley Pratt, Orson Pratt, Willard Richards, Geo. A. Smith, Brigham Young and John Taylor. I don't remember the others." (Robert Horne, "Reminiscences of the Church in Nauvoo," Latter-Day Saints' Millennial Star, Vol. 55, No. 36, Sept. 4, 1893, p. 585) Line upon line. When I put up information on the revelation of D&C:76, the three degrees of Glory revelation in a few weeks, you will see some evidence that the Prophet Joseph told missionaries to teach investigators the first principles and ordinances of the gospel first, and not teach the new revelation of the three degrees of glory right away to them as it will cause them to stumble. I wiil post some information on someone who did not follow his counsel, and that this exact negative thing happened because of it.
You recollect that when the Book of Mormon was translated from the plates, about two-thirds were sealed up, and Joseph was commanded not to break the seal; that part of the record was hid up. The plates which were sealed contained an account of those great things shown unto the brother of Jared; and we are told that all those things are preserved to come forth in the due time of the Lord. — Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, p. 347
Here is a quote from the information linked below. "There are at least two reasons to believe that Ether might have visited Mosiah to hand over the plates or disclose where they were. First, the prophet Ether was the last surviving righteous Jaredite and as such possessed all thesacred records of his civilization. Like Moroni, he probably held the keys to bring forth the scriptures that belonged to his dispensation.https://publications.mi.byu.edu/publica ... 8cArts.pdf
