It is interesting that Alma warns Helaman regarding his duty as the next custodian of the plates. Moroni warned Joseph Smith just like Alma warned Helaman, the same heavenly messenger delivered them up to me with this charge: that I should be responsible for them; that if I should let them go carelessly, or through any neglect of mine, I should be cut off (JS—H 1:59). Although Joseph was very careful to preserve the plates from his enemies, he was not as careful with the first 116 translated pages. After losing them, he received the following rebuke from the Lord,
’Behold, you have been entrusted with these things, but how strict were your commandments; and remember also the promises which were made to you, if you did not transgress them.
And behold, how oft you have transgressed the commandments and the laws of God, and have gone on in the persuasions of men.’ (DC 3:5-6)
’Now, behold, I say unto you, that because you delivered up those writings which you had power given unto you to translate by the means of the Urim and Thummim, into the hands of a wicked man, you have lost them.
And you also lost your gift at the same time, and your mind became darkened.’ (DC 10:1-2)
The word of the Lord regarding the Book of Mormon was very strict. If the custodian transgressed, the Lord would take the records out of their hands. Joseph Smith was even warned that if he showed the plates to anyone without permission from God, he would be destroyed (JS—H 1:42).