In May 1843, a set of bell-shaped brass plates were brought to Joseph Smith to see if he would translate them. These plates were later revealed to be forgeries meant to expose Joseph as a fraud. Historical evidence, however, suggests that Joseph wasn't fooled. He briefly examined them and compared them other ancient writings in his possession, and may have offered an ordinary translation of a "portion" of them. But there is no evidence Joseph ever sought or received revelation about these plates, and he never produced a full translation. Joseph's "gift and power" to translate did not work on these bogus plates, and he lost interest in them quickly.

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