Abstract The Ariel L. Crowley papers (1934-1946) contain two articles, "Aurichalcum" and "Metal record plates in ancient times," both pertaining to the legitimacy of the "golden plates" which Joseph Smith claimed to have translated. Crowley (1905-2005) lived in Idaho, where he was a judge. He was also an amateur LDS Church historian and wrote for the Improvement Era, an LDS Church publication.