What was contained in the brass plates of Laban?
The description of Nephi is self-explanatory. The brass plates of Laban contained the history of the Jews from the creation down to Lehis day. It included the Old Testament prophecies written prior to Lehis day. Even the prophecies of Lehis contemporary, Jeremiah, were contained on the plates (see 1 Ne 5:13). Almost all the major Old Testament prophets prophecies were recorded. The Nephite record would not have included prophecies from Daniel, Ezekiel, Micah, or Malachi. This is hinted at by the ministry of the Savior among the Nephites. At that time, the Lord made sure that the most important scriptures were a part of the Nephite record. This required Him to rehearse some of the Old Testament prophecies which were either of great doctrinal importance or which the Nephites did not have. A careful study of 3 Nephi demonstrates that he mostly quoted Isaiah, Micah, and Malachi. The plates of brass represented a larger body of literature than our current Old Testament. This is apparent fro
