In further instruction to Joseph, the Lord reiterates that Joseph is not to translate the “things which are sealed.” They are intended to come forth, but only in the Lord’s due time.
The next instruction is that when the translation has been completed, Joseph should gather the three promised witnesses. After their witness, “then shalt thou seal up the book again, and hide it up unto me.” After the witnesses, the plates would be hidden from view again. It is believed that they were taken back to heaven, rather than committed to some secret earthly hiding place.
The Lord reiterates that the parts that were not translated will eventually come forth, but only according to the faith of the children of men, and only at an undetermined future date.