The golden plates were not to be had by the world, nor even by those intent on determining the truthfulness of the claims of Joseph Smith and the Mormons. Spiritual verities are to be known by the power of the Holy Ghost and in no other way. The honest in heart are to read the “words of the book,” ponder them, and pray to the Father regarding their truthfulness; further, they are to listen to the words of the Lord’s servants, weigh those words, and prayerfully consider their source. “Hereafter you shall be ordained,” Christ explained to Joseph Smith, “and go forth and deliver my words unto the children of men.
Behold, if they will not believe my words, they would not believe you, my servant Joseph, if it were possible that you should show them all these things which I have committed unto you [the golden plates and the Urim and Thummim]. Oh, this unbelieving and stiffnecked generation—mine anger is kindled against them.
Behold, verily I say unto you, I have reserved those things which I have entrusted unto you, my servant Joseph, for a wise purpose in me, and it shall be made known unto future generations but this generation shall have my word through you.” (D&C 5:6-10.)
The counsel, therefore, to Latter-day Saints and to all men is: “murmur not because of the things which thou hast not seen, for they are withheld from thee and from the world, which is wisdom in me in a time to come” (D&C 25:4).