Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including joseph smith using a seer stone and accounts of joseph smith using urim and thummim. Aug 09, 2018 by the power of god, through the holy spirit, how else. Many members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints believe that joseph smith used this seer stone in the book of mormon translation effort. Joseph fielding smith did not say that it was not reasonable to use a stone to translate the book of mormon. If he did, it was the stone of the urim and thummim. Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including accounts. The practice of using stones or glass to receive divine revelation is found in many cultures, including among the ancient israelites and maya. The question at hand, then, is whether or not smiths translation of the book of mormon plates is true. Joseph smith used both the nephite interpreters and his individual seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon. The book of mormon came into the world through a series of miraculous events. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon by bill mckeever and eric johnson the founder of the lds church, joseph smith, claimed an angel named moroni visited him in september of 1823. The history of joseph smiths use of both the nephite interpreters and his personal seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon, as well as the provenance of josephs seer stones, has been clearly delineated by latterday saint historians.
Joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon is his translation of an ancient book written on gold plates. Mormons publish photos of rare sacred stone used by founder. How the book of mormon was translated let us reason. The mormon church is taking another step in its push to be more transparent, and is releasing more historical documents that shed light on how joseph smith. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with the urim and. The term urim and thummim is usually used by latter day saints members to refer to the interpreters mentioned in the book of mormon. They say that god helped him translate the text using the stone and other tools, which became known as the book of mormon. Joseph smith used the term the urim and thummim to refer to the pair of seer stones, or interpreters, he obtained for translating the book of mormon as well as to other seer stones he used in a similar manner. This quote is quite extensive, but can be viewed here. Aug 10, 2015 the mormon church for the first time is publishing photos of a small sacred stone it believes founder joseph smith used to help translate the story that became the basis of the religion. Did the church try to hide josephs use of a seer stone to. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon through a careful study of.
Jul 18, 2016 a somewhat perplexing reference to gazelem, the name of an individual using a stone prepared by god, is found in alma 37. If smith truly was a prophet with the ability to decipher plates. Did joseph smith translate the book of mormon with a rock in. Here is the source and quote directly from the church essay.
The translation of the book of mormon as divine visions of an oldtime seer by stan spencer. The writer, josiah jones, claims as his source the first latterday saint missionaries to that te ritory elde s cowdery, pratt, whitmer, and peterson, from whom he learned that the book w translated by looking. Francis kirkham disagrees with an earlier authors assertion b. Did joseph smith translate the book of mormon with a rock. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of. Mormons publish first photos of stone joseph smith used to. Jul 20, 2018 these modern scholars claim that joseph smith used a brown seer stone he found in a well to translate the book of mormon.
A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon by bill mckeever and eric johnson the founder of the lds church, joseph smith, claimed an angel named moroni visited him in. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon. This page shows accounts of some of the people close to joseph specifically emma smith, martin harris, david whitmer, and william smith stating that he did in fact, use a seer stone in the translation of the text. Nothing is magical, and the urim and thummim, the seer stone, etc. The words of the book of mormon would appear on the stone in english, bright and shining.
The stone that was used to translate the entire book of mormon. By the power of god, through the holy spirit, how else. Mormons believe joseph smith found gold plates engraved with writing in ancient egyptian in new york and god helped him translate the text using an eggsized stone skip to main content the. The scribes who assisted with the translation unquestionably believed that joseph translated by divine power. In a nutshell, the authors a couple of latterday saint scholars disagree with the idea that joseph used a seer stone to help him translate the book of mormon. Did joseph smith use the same seer stone to translate the book of mormon as he did for his treasure digging. The use of objects in the translation were only to help focusing on the work. The young man, however, had very little formal education. Salt lake city the mormon church for the first time is publishing photos of a small sacred stone it believes founder joseph smith used to help. Why are we still disputing the stone was used to translate when we know he used it for revelations as well and the church admits it. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of mormon. After responding to jim bennetts ama today, i got to thinking about the role of the seer stones in the process of translation. Humorous views on interesting, bizarre and amusing articles, submitted by a community of millions of news junkies, with regular photoshop contests. Urim and thummim places the book of mormon translation on trial, presenting the latest research in one of the most comprehensive treatments of the translation process to date providing encouragement for latterday saints who fear they have been betrayed by the translation history taught by the church for over 190 years.
Oliver cowdery, the principal scribe for the book of mormon, said that the prophet joseph smith translated the book of mormon by the gift and power of god, by the assistance or means of the urim and thummim last days of oliver cowdery, deseret news. Although joseph began translating the book of mormon using the nephite interpreters, he later switched to using one of his seer stones to complete the translation. The mormon church for the first time is publishing photos of a small sacred stone it believes founder joseph smith used to help translate the story that became the basis of the religion. Chases niece sally was also a glasslooker who got joseph interested in the use of rocks for seeing things beneath the ground. The book also says that its first author, nephi, used the learning of the jews and the language of the egyptians 1 nephi 1. Urim and thummim places the book of mormon translation on trial, presenting the latest research in one of the most comprehensive treatments of the translation process to date providing encouragement for latterday saints who fear they have been betrayed by the translation history. In 1886, david whitmer indicates that joseph used his own seer stone to translate all of our current book of mormon text. Joseph smiths magic seer stonedefinition of seer stone. The angel charged joseph smith to translate the book from the ancient language in which it was written. Since joseph claimed to have translated reformed egyptian to produce the book of mormon mormon 9. Joseph smith was a seer able to translate the golden plates into the book of mormon by his seer abilities not by the plates themselves. Oct 09, 2018 the history of joseph smiths use of both the nephite interpreters and his personal seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon, as well as the provenance of josephs seer stones, has been clearly delineated by latterday saint historians. In order to see the words more clearly, joseph would place the stone in a hat and block out the light. Thus the book of mormon was translated by the gift and power of god, and not by any power of.
Mar 26, 2007 a seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon mrmdotorg. The church recently released a picture of the seer stone joseph smith used to translate the book of mormon. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon. Mackay and dirkmaat, from darkness unto light, 6869. The process as described brings to mind a passage from the book of mormon that speaks of god preparing a stone, which shall shine forth in darkness unto light. Revelations of the restoration, by joseph fielding mcconkie and craig ostler, pg. Joseph smith translating the book of mormon by looking at a seer stone in a hat. Even though the stone had been discussed in church magazines before, many mormons apparently find this news surprising or even it troubling. Mormons publish photos of seer stone used by joseph smith.
She is the founder of joseph smiths legacy and the producer or director of six documentary films. How did joseph smith translate the plates from which the book. So apparently even the 10th president of the church thinks that using a stone to translate the book of mormon with hardly seems reasonable. He called it the urim and thummim, and were two stones fastened to. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon youtube. Joseph smith foundation director, author, film producer, speaker l. Urim and thummim places the book of mormon translation on trial, presenting the latest research in one of the most comprehensive treatments of the translation process to date providing encouragement for latterday saints who fear they have been betrayed by the translation history taught by the church for over 190 years did joseph smith study and master the nephite language. Did joseph smith study and master the nephite language. Why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of. Aug 05, 2015 mormons unveil photos of rare sacred stone used by founder. Did joseph smith use the same seer stone to translate the. Yes, joseph smith really did use a seer stone in the.
A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon mrmdotorg. According to them, joseph produced the book of mormon by reading words off a seer stone. I wanted to put together some historical accounts that show that joseph smith used a seer stone in his translation of the book of mormon. For information on the connection between joseph smith, his seer stone, and the name gazelem, see book of mormon central, why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of mormon. Kirkham does not refute the existence of such a stone, but rather the stones role in the translation. These facts are now officially confirmed in the churchs december 20 book of mormon translation essay. Joseph smith used magic to translate book of mormon 03222020 by lifeafterministry that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
Mormons publish photos of rare sacred stone used by. Mormons unveil photos of rare sacred stone used by founder. According to various lds documents, the manner of translation has been described. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with the urim. Why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of mormon. Joseph smith used magic to translate book of mormon life. Aug 04, 2015 the mormon church is for the first time publishing photos of the stone it believes founder joseph smith used to help translate the story that became the basis of the religion. Initially, he is said to have used two stones set in frames as glasses to see the new translation. Later, he switched to a different method with one seer stone inside a hat, but im confused as to how it was supposed to help in translation. That was the time of completing the book of mormon, which was translated through the nephite interpreters and also josephs other seer stone s.
How did joseph smith translate the plates from which the. Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including joseph smith using a seer stone and. These modern scholars claim that joseph smith used a brown seer stone he found in a well to translate the book of mormon. According to joseph smiths own fatherinlaw, isaac hale, the young joseph translated the book of mormon with the same stone that he used to search for buried treasures.
Critics have made merry over this, but it makes sense and its actually an indicator that he was telling the truth. Bushman, joseph smith and the beginnings of mormonism. In this interview, whitmer states that the spectacles were never returned after the loss of the 116 pages and that a seer stone was presented to joseph smith for. The mormon church is for the first time publishing photos of the stone it believes founder joseph smith used to help translate the story that became the basis of the religion. Most lds church members were taught that joseph smith used seer stones referred to as the urim and thummim nephite interpreters to translate the book of mormon bom 1 to various scribes. I will now give you a description of the manner in which the book of mormon was translated. The wikipedia article on the golden plates says that joseph smith translated the golden plates into the book of mormon with the help of seer stones. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with the urim and thummim, not by a seer stone in a hat.
Despite what the scholars say, many active lds still believe what joseph and oliver taught. David wittmer one of the three witnesses of the book of mormon writes in his book addressed to all believers in christ telling us how joseph smith placed the seer stone into a hat to translate the book of mormon. Seer stones are mentioned in the book of mormon in the book of mosiah, where they are also called interpreters and described as being used by seers to translate and receive revelations. Similarly, joseph smith used both the nephite interpreters and his individual seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon.
Mar 27, 2015 joseph smith used a stone in a hat to help him in his translation of the book of mormon. He translated much of the book of mormon by placing the seer stone in a hat to block out the ambient light, then proceeded to simply recite whatever words appeared on the stone. Evolution of seer stone narrative benjamin winchester. That was the time of completing the book of mormon, which was translated through the nephite interpreters and also josephs other seer stones.
One who sees visions, especially of a spiritual nature the church recently released a picture of the seer stone joseph smith used to translate the book of mormon. According to him, the plates came with their own translating device. Even though the stone had been discussed in church magazines before, many mormons apparently. The very idea that a new york farm boy with limited education might translate an ancient document is so unimaginable that it could only have occurred through, as joseph himself declared, the gift and power of god. Roberts that joseph used a seer stone to help translate the book of mormon. Some critics of joseph smith mock the fact that part of the book of mormon translation process apparently involved dictating while looking at a stone that hed placed within a hat yet far from being damaging evidence against his claims and against the book of mormon, this fact may strongly support their plausibility. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text. The practice of using stones or glass to receive divine revelation is found in many cultures, including among the ancient. The book of mormon, a work of scripture of the latter day saint movement, describes itself as having a portion originally written in reformed egyptian characters on plates of metal or ore by prophets living in the western hemisphere from perhaps as early as the 6th century bc until as late as the 5th century ad. According to witness accounts, he would put the stones in a hat and pull the hat close around his face to exclude the light, and then he would see the translated text. Roberts stated that he had examined the seer stone joseph smith used to translate the book of mormon and while handling it had the impression that doubtless it was radium or it had been made radio active by contact with radium and hence its power to become luminous when placed in the dark. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center. After this, seer stones were generally not used while receiving revelation or translation. Uchtdorf posted on his facebook page comparing the seer stone in the hat book of mormon translation to his iphone.
Jun 25, 2018 did joseph smith use the same seer stone to translate the book of mormon as he did for his treasure digging. The church certainly hasnt said that joseph smith used a treasure hunting rock to translate. Did joseph smith use a hat to translate the book of. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon through a careful study of statements made by joseph smith, his scribes, and others closely associated with the translation of. The abridgment that the book of mormon says was prepared by mormon and moroni nearly a thousand years later in approximately 380 ad. Fairmormon posted new book of mormon translation artwork showing joseph smiths face in a hat.
The urim and thummim was preserved in a stone box, along with the gold plates, for over 1,500 years for the purpose of. The urim and thummim was preserved in a stone box, along with the gold plates, for over 1,500 years for the purpose of enabling joseph to translate the writings on the. Aug 04, 2015 salt lake city the mormon church for the first time is publishing photos of a small sacred stone it believes founder joseph smith used to help translate the story that became the basis of the. We need to change the definition of the term translate. This whole concept of finding the book of mormon on plates is a sham. Joseph smith, the movements founder, published the book of mormon in 1830 as a. Joseph found this particular stone while digging a well for willard chase. As i referenced in my response to jim, the church clearly says joseph smith used a seer stone or the urim and thummim spectacles sans breast plate, i assume in a hat to translate the book of mormon. Joseph smith was called of god to translate the golden plates, resulting in the book of mormon. Mormons believe joseph smith found gold plates engraved with writing in ancient egyptian in new york and god helped him translate the text. We dont know for sure what happened, but the most reasonable conclusion, by far, is that joseph smith did not involve a seer stone in producing the book of mormon. A somewhat perplexing reference to gazelem, the name of an individual using a stone prepared by god, is found in alma 37.
881 772 1241 299 47 665 277 370 206 528 222 1283 1054 85 305 733 512 700 894 19 295 114 706 788 251 721 787 441 1245 1416 1181 222 178 189 762