“Plates of Brass”

D. Kelly Ogden, Andrew C. Skinner

The Book of Mormon continually refers to the “plates of brass,” whereas in English they would be called the “brass plates.” In 1 Nephi 8:19 we learn about the “rod of iron,” what we would normally call the “iron rod.” This particular manner of expression, called the construct state, utilizes two nouns. There are many interesting examples: “mists of darkness” (1 Nephi 12:17); “works of darkness” (2 Nephi 25:2); “words of plainness” (Jacob 4:14); “words of soberness” (Jacob 6:5); “plates of ore” (Mosiah 21:27); “ornaments of gold” (Alma 31:28); “houses of cement” (Helaman 3:7); and “plans of wickedness” (Ether 13:15).

Verse by Verse: The Book of Mormon: Vol. 1

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