Sorry, a little too juvenile of a story for me to buy. And what's this "reformed Egyptian" language?
***Where is this documented? The only other persons who claimed to have seen the "plates" (that I know of) saw Smith looking at "something" under a cloth -- and claimed they saw the "plates" with the "eyes of faith."***
I have read this also where the witnesses admitted that all they saw was what appeared to be a book covered with a cloth and they finally admitted that they never saw gold plates at all.
Also, Smith offended the angel and the angel took away the plates leaving Smith a stone which he put in his hat and the words appeared on them.
Be careful lest the moderators come in and start knocking heads as they have unfortunatly done in the past.
You can read the statements of the witnesses in the Introduction to the Book of Mormon. Neither group of witnesses mentions a cloth covering:
. . . And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. . . . (The Testimony of the Three Witnesses)
. . . Joseph Smith, the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. . . . (The Testimony of the Eight Witnesses)
Thus, the witnesses saw the plates and some handled them.
Sorry, a little too juvenile of a story for me to buy. . . .
Suit yourself.
It is documented right on the 3rd page of The Book of Mormon. Right after the Title Page and the Introduction. You can't miss it.