Eyewitness description of the gold plates is remarkably consistent. The gold plates from which Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon were “six inches wide, eight inches long, and six inches thick.”⁷ According to Ether 4:5–6, Moroni was commanded to seal up a portion of the plates. According to eyewitness accounts of the plates, about ⅔ of the plates were sealed.⁸

The sealed portion of the plates contain a full account of the vision seen by the brother of Jared as well as the correct interpretation of it (Ether 4:4–5). The vision includes “all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof’ (2 Nephi 27:10–11; Ether 3:25). 

One author explained:

Few people have seen the sealed record—for instance, the Nephites in the land Bountiful at the Savior’s coming (see Ether 4:1–2) and Moroni (see Ether 12:24). The Lord said the sealed portion would be revealed to the world “in mine own due time” (Ether 3:27). He also said it would “not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord” (Ether 4:6; see also 2 Nephi 27:8).⁹

Latter-day Saints believe that the Lord “will yet reveal many great and marvelous things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Articles 1:9) This may come at the Second Coming of the Lord (Doctrine & Covenants 101:32–34). We can all rejoice at this news.