On each side of every plate were engraved beautiful letters, in a language which Joseph could not read.
The book was about six inches thick.

A part of it was sealed, and Joseph was told not to open it, as the time had not yet come for that part to be made known to the world.
The Urim and Thummim consisted of two transparent stones, clear as crystal, set in two rims of a bow.

It was used in ancient times by the seers, and through it they received revelations of things past and future.

You may read about this instrument in the Bible, in Exodus, 28: 30; and Ezra 2: 63.
As soon as it was known that Joseph had the plates, many evil-minded persons tried to get them from him, and he had to hide them in different places to keep them safe.

Mobs began to surround his house, men tried to catch him on the roads or in the fields, and he was even shot at a number of times.