Yes, joseph smith really did use a seer stone in the. The april 2020 liahona carried an enlightening article on how joseph smith translated 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. 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. It also leaves us wondering why the lord directed the writers of the book of mormon to. The book of mormon came into the world through a series of miraculous events. The church continues to portray the hat as used in translation incorrectly. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones book of. Did joseph smith use his own seer stone to translate the book of mormon.
Urim and thummim makes a great case for simply going back to the basics. The church history department of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints has released a new video exploring joseph smiths use of seer stones in the translation process of the book. The following essay is the official lds released essay entitled book of mormon translation. Urim and thummim places the book of mormon translation on trial, presenting the latest research in one of the most comprehensive treatments of the. They say that god helped him translate the text using the stone and other tools, which became known as the book of mormon. Most readers of the book of mormon naturally assume that joseph smith translated its books beginning in 1 nephi 1. According to latter day saint theology, seer stones were believed to have been used by joseph smith, as well as ancient prophets, to receive revelations from god. Interpreting the evidence, journal of book of mormon studies 22 1993. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of mormon.
Brother hyrum smith said that he thought best that. Why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of mormon. So in the spring and summer of 1820, eight joseph with martin harris and his wife emma working as described began the translation of the book of mormon, those involved with the. A picture of a smooth, brown, eggsized rock is shown in the printers manuscript of the book of mormon. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones. Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including accounts. Joseph smith used both the nephite interpreters and his individual seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon. Yes, joseph smith really did use a seer stone in the translation of. I encourage people to read the ensign regularly, especially this year when were all focused on the book of mormon. And so in the spring and summer of 1828 joseph, with martin harris and his wife emma working as his scribes, began the translation of the book of mormon. Starting in 20, the church has provided a more accurate version of how the seer stone was used. Apostle orson pratt gave an expansive definition in 1851 stating. Septemberoctober 1999 evidence is continuing to surface that joseph smith, founder of mormonism, had built quite a.
However, the passage quoted above makes a clear delineation between the stoneinahat theory and the urim and thummim narrative. Joseph smiths chief scribe during the translation of the book of mormon, oliver cowdery, reported the following in 1831. Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including joseph. Did the church try to hide josephs use of a seer stone to. Those historical interests are manifest in the recent description of the translation of the book of mormon found on the churchs official website. The manuscript in the new book actually belongs to the community of. Roberts, a brief debate on the book of mormon, in defense of the faith and the saints, 2 vols. Though we may ultimately never fully understand the nature of the book of mormon. This fhe lesson on the book of mormon helps teach how joseph smith translated the book of mormon by the power of god, including the seer stones. Image from video seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon. Welchs excellent article entitled the miraculous translation of the book of mormon, from opening. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon. They simply inspired the faith joseph smith needed to see imaginative visions, and in those visions, he saw.
How the book of mormon translation story changed over time. Similarly, joseph smith used both the nephite interpreters and his individual seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon. If smith truly was a prophet with the ability to decipher plates of an unknown language. Is david whitmer a credible witness of the book of mormon translation.
Did you know that david whitmer consulted a witch and occultic seer stones, denounced joseph smith as a false. A journal of mormon scripture 24 kindle edition by stan spencer. If smith truly was a prophet with the ability to decipher plates of an unknown language which were said to contain the story of jesus appearance in the americas, then this man should be revered and his translation of this ancient work. The same goes for oliver cowderys use of the terms in his description of the translation process. When joseph smith began the book of mormon translation, he acted in his capacity as a treasure seer and used the tools of that trade. The church later admitted these facts in its october 2015 ensign. In this view, the stones did not themselves translate or display text.
During the translation of the book of mormon, joseph smith apparently used both of these instruments. Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including joseph smith using a seer stone and. Book of mormon translation joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon is his translation of an ancient book written on gold plates. Last week i attended part of the 22nd international book of mormon evidences conference hosted by the firm foundation. While most of the book of mormon translation accounts say little. That is, accepting the translation of the book of mormon as joseph said it was. Those involved with the translation of the book of mormon said that joseph initially used the stones found with the plates. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of.
Joseph smith and his scribes wrote of two instruments used in translating the book of mormon. On the other hand, if the translation has no basis in fact, but instead is based on fraud, then it should be exposed and the mans teachings about god and faith should be. Firsthand witness accounts of the translation process. Joseph smith used magic to translate book of mormon life. The practice of using stones or glass to receive divine revelation is. Seer stones the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The translation of the book of mormon as divine visions of an oldtime seer interpreter. With joseph looking into the hat at the seer stones, what need was there for joseph to even have the plates in his possession. Mohonri moriancumers 18 stones book of mormon evidence. He moved in with the smiths in the winter of 1828 to act as scribe for joseph smith. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon. The church history department of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints has released a new video exploring joseph smiths use of seer stones in the translation. These facts are now officially confirmed in the churchs december 20 book of mormon translation essay.
Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. We will engage the topic of joseph smiths treasure digging and welcome live call ins to the show and discuss. The question at hand, then, is whether or not smiths translation of the book of mormon plates is true. Book of mormon translation on trial stoddard, hannah l. In fact, the book of mormon translation process was performed entirely without looking at the plates, which were either out of the room or said to have been covered with a cloth. The practice of using stones or glass to receive divine revelation is found in many cultures, including among the ancient israelites and maya. Almost all of the present book of mormon text was translated during a three month. How did joseph smith use his seer stones as a youth. Thus the book of mormon was translated by the gift and power of god, and not by any power of. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon through a careful. Truly, the translation of the book of mormon was a miracle and was accomplished by miraculous means. 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 book of mormon. Book of mormon written through a peep stone in a hat issue date.
It was released by the church to help explain how the book of mormon was translated, and to. Today we begin our first live broadcast of the mormon discussion podcast. 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. The mormon church is for the first time publishing photos of the stone. The above donut chart shows percentages of the book of mormon translation section of letter to a ces director that fairmormon is in agreement, disagreement, and neutral on. All methods of seeing with objects required some method whereby normal vision was masked. The descriptions of how joseph used a seer stone prior to the book of mormon have him placing the stone in the crown of his hat and then drawing the hat to his face so that his vision was obscured.
Claims that joseph smith ever used a seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon or was ever involved with folk magic come exclusively from antimormons or apostate. Vol 1 gl direct link vol 2 gl direct link gl direct link. If the plates were not part of the translation process, this would not have been the case. Mormons believe joseph smith found gold plates engraved with writing in ancient egyptian in new york and god helped him translate the text. The historical hearsay suggests that this particular stone probably is one of the stones used by joseph smith during translation of the book of mormon. 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 urim and thummim is a stone or other substance sanctified and illuminated by the spirit of the living god, and. Book of mormontranslationurim and thummim fairmormon. 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. Most lds church members were taught that joseph smith used seer stones referred to as the urim and thummim nephite interpreters to translate the. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon youtube. Fhe lesson on the book of mormon translating the book of.
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