Several well-known LDS scholars continue to teach that Oliver misled everyone about the origin and setting of the Book of Mormon because Oliver taught it is a fact that:
(i) Joseph Smith translated the plates and
(ii) Cumorah/Ramah is in western New York
They reject what Oliver wrote solely because Oliver's facts contradict their own theories.
Read what Oliver wrote and decide for yourself. This version of Oliver's account is in Joseph Smith's own history.
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1834-1836/95
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Oliver explains the fact that Joseph obtained the plates and translated them.
It is sufficient for my present purpose, to know, that such is the fact: that in 1823, yes, 1823, a man with whom I have had the most intimate and personal acquaintance, for almost seven years, actually discovered by the vision of God, the plates from which the book of Mormon, as much as much as it is disbelieved, was translated!
[Note: certain modern LDS scholars are among those who disbelieve that the Book of Mormon was translated from these plates. Instead, they teach that Joseph read words that appeared on a seer stone without even looking at or otherwise using the plates. This is the "stone-in-the-hat" theory, or SITH.)
Such is the case, though men rack their verry brains to invent falsehood, and then waft them upon every breeze, to the contrary notwithstanding.
[Note: think about the way certain LDS scholars, along with the critics, rack their brains to explain why Joseph did not translate the plates.]
...
Oliver's description of the stone box and its contents
Note: Certain LDS scholars claim the sword of Laban was in the stone box. They do so because of M2C/B2C; i.e., if the sword of Laban was not in the stone box, then it was in the repository of Nephite records in the Hill Cumorah/Ramah, just as Oliver said it was. But they can't accept that because it ruins their M2C/B2C theories.
To support their claim that the sword of Laban was in the stone box, they refer to obscure, vague recollections recorded decades later, none of which were specific and clear. These same LDS scholars do not even consider what Joseph and Oliver wrote, in detail, about the contents of the stone box.
The following account by Oliver shows there was no room in the stone box for the sword of Laban or any other artifact other than what Joseph and Oliver claimed.
For the satisfaction of such as believe I have been thus particular, and to avoid the question being a thousand times asked, more than any other cause, shall procede and be as particular as heretofore. The manner in which the plates were deposited:
Note: Oliver mentioned that this question is asked over and over. He gave this specific description, but because of M2C/B2C, modern Latter-day Saints have ever seen this. Notice how he distinguishes between fact and speculation here. Yet certain LDS scholars claim Oliver was speculating when he wrote that something was a fact, solely because their own theories contradict those facts.
First, a hole of sufficient depth, (how deep I know not) was dug. At the bottom of this was laid a stone of suitable size, the upper surface being smooth. At each edge was placed a large quantity of cement, and into this cement, at the four edges of this stone, were placed, erect, four others, their bottom edges resting in the cement at the outer edges of the first stone.
The four last named, when placed erect, formed a box, the corners, or where the edges of the four came in contact, were also cemented so firmly that the moisture from without was prevented from entering.
It is to be observed, also, that the inner surface of the four erect, or side stones was smoothe. This box was sufficiently large to admit a breast-plate, such as was used by the ancients to defend the chest, &c. from the arrows and weapons of their enemy.
From the bottom of the box, or from the breast-plate, arose three small pillars composed of the same description of cement used on the edges; and upon these three pillars was placed the record of the children of Joseph, and of a people who left the tower far, far before the days of Joseph, or a sketch of each, which had it not been for this, and the never failing goodness of God, we might have perished in our sins, having been left to bow down before the altars of the Gentiles and to have paid homage to the priests of Baal!
[Note: Oliver did not mention any original writings of Nephi, just the abridged records which he called "a sketch."]
I must not forget to say that this box, containing the record was covered with another stone, the bottom surface being flat and the upper, crowning. But those three pillars were not so lengthy as to cause the plates and the crowning stone to come in contact.
I have now given you, according to my promise, the manner in which this record was deposited; though when it was first visited by our brother, in 1823, a part of the crowning stone was visible above the surface while the edges were concealed by the soil and grass, from which circumstances you will see, that however deep this box might have been placed by Moroni at first, the time had been sufficient to wear the earth so that it was easily discovered when once directed, and yet not enough to make a perceivable difference to the passer-by.
So wonderful are the works of the Almighty, and so far from our finding out are his ways, that one who trembles to take his holy name into his lips, is left to wonder at his exact providences, and the fulfilment of his purposes in the event of times and seasons.
A few years sooner might have found even the top stone concealed, and discouraged our brother from attempting to make a further trial to obtain this rich treasure, for fear of discovery; and a few latter might have lef[t] the small box uncovered, and exposed its valuable contents to the rude calculations and vain speculations of those who neither understand common language nor fear God.
But such would have been contra[r]y to the words of the ancients and the promises made to them: and this is why I am left to admire the works and see the wisdom in the designs of the Lord in all things manifested to the eyes of the world: they show that all human inventions are like the vapors, while his word endures forever and his promises to the last generation.
Having thus digressed from my main subject to give a few items for the special benefit of all, it will be necessary to return, and proceed as formerly.—
And if any suppose I have indulged too freely in reflections, I will only say that it is my opinion, were one to have a view of the glory of God which is to cover Israel in the last days, and know that these, though they may be thought small things, were the beginning to effect the same, they would be at a loss where to close, should they give a moment’s vent to the imaginations of the heart
