The Golden Plates Medallion Background and Information

The Golden Plates Medallion is the creation of designer and artist Davidjohn Stosich who resides in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He has produced many fine works of art including the cover of one edition of the Book of Mormon that was done with a gold-leaf look with inscribed Reformed Egyptian characters. He currently owns and operates an art gift business that includes unique wood carvings and nature scenes. (Go to www.Stosich.com to see his works.)

The Medallion was first produced and sold in 1974. The masterful sculpting was rendered by none other than Avard Tennyson Fairbanks (1897-1987). As the most renowned of any LDS sculptor, he was also one of America’s greatest. (You will have to look closely to find both artists’ signatures, one on each side of the medallion.) An internet search under the name of Avard T. Fairbanks will yield a wealth of information about his life and works of art. Among Brother Fairbank’s accomplishments are the gold statues of the Angel Moroni placed atop four LDS Temples. He also sculpted the incredible friezes (wall statues) on the Hawaii Temple. Several of Fairbank’s pioneer works can be viewed on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. He has produced some very famous statues of Abraham Lincoln and other works that most of us would recognize.

The Golden Plates Medallion is more than a commemorative coin. It’s heavier weight and feel reveals that it is “deep struck” medallion art that makes a wonderful collector’s piece. Even more however, the medallion may be carried and used as an effective missionary conversation starter. (See: The Golden Plates Medallion as a Missionary Conversation Piece)

There are over 8000 owners of these Bronze, Silver Plated, Gold Plated, and .999 pure silver medallions. (Pure Silver and Gold medallions are available by special order). These keepsakes have only been available by special order for a number of years, but now they are being reissued for you to enjoy and to give as a unique and special gift.

Designer Brother Davidjohn Stosich writes:

“Besides being a wonderful collector’s piece as an expression of an important aspect of your LDS faith, the purpose of the Golden Plates Medallion is to open opportunities to share the restoration message that otherwise would not be possible.”

You can show either side to a friend of another faith to begin a gospel related conversation. Of course

The Moroni side shows the imprinted caption “Moroni Hid Records to Come Forth in the Latter-Days” and .”A Prophet in Ancient America” and features the image the artist’s concept of the profile of Moroni there with the Gold Plates. There is a smaller image also of Moroni following the Lord’s direction to hide the plates in such a way as to preserve them to come forth in the latter days by the gift and power of God.

The side featuring the profile of Joseph Smith reads “From Plates of Gold, The Book Of Mormon,” and “The Prophet Joseph Smith, as well as the caption, ”The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.” Then it features a small image Moroni (now as an angel sent from God) delivering the Gold Plates containing the ancient record to Joseph Smith.

Of course the spirit should help you in using the medallion to ease in to any gospel related conversation that you feel would be appropriate.

Below is one suggested approach:

Simply by presenting the Medallion in open hand and asking, “Have you seen this Medallion?” They will probably respond, “No I haven’t” You can then say, “This is Moroni an ancient prophet and historian; have you heard of him?” When they say they haven’t heard of him say, “May I share a brief history of Moroni?” Then you can give a brief account of Moroni’s mission. You should include in your explanation that the record details accounts of several appearances of Jesus Christ just after his resurrection at Jerusalem. You might ask, “Did you know that Jesus Christ appeared to ancient people in ancient America? Well, Moroni the Prophet was the keeper of the sacred records and was commanded to seal them and hide them so they could be brought forth in the latter days (which is what we consider our current era to be).”

Now turning the Medallion over, you might say, “This same Moroni, long since dead, was given divine instruction to show himself (now as a heavenly messenger) to Joseph Smith and to deliver the hidden sacred record to him. Have you heard of Joseph Smith? The Angel Moroni told Joseph that he was chosen to do a great work which would include translating and publishing this record which is known now as the Book of Mormon.

If you do not have a copy of the Book of Mormon, may I give you one?”

Bear a testimony that you are invited to by the spirit of your conversation.