“I have no further news except that six plates having the appearance of brass have lately been dug out of a mound by a gentleman in Pike Co., Illinois. They are small and filled with engravings in Egyptian language and contain the genealogy of one of the ancient Jaredites back to Ham the son of Noah. His bones were found in the same vase (made of Cement).” — Parley P. Pratt¹

In April 1843, six brass plates inscribed with symbols were allegedly unearthed from a burial mound near Kinderhook, Illinois. These plates were brought to Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, who was reported to have said that they contained the history of a descendant of Ham through the loins of Pharaoh, King of Egypt. Although there was initial excitement, Joseph Smith did not attempt a revelatory translation of the plates, and his interest in them waned.

Later, it was revealed by Wilbur Fugate that the plates were a hoax, forged by him, Robert Wiley, and a blacksmith. Chemical analysis conducted in the 20th century confirmed the plates were not ancient artifacts. Despite some early accounts suggesting Joseph Smith had translated a portion of the plates, no such translation exists, and the episode is now regarded as an elaborate prank.^2,3

1. Parley P. Pratt, Letter to to John Van Cott, May 7, 1843

2. “Kinderhook Plates,” churchofjesuschrist.org

3. Stanley B. Kimball, “Kinderhook Plates Brought to Joseph Smith Appear to Be a Nineteenth-Century Hoax,” Ensign August 1981