The stone that translation the book of mormon

As several historians and scholars have discussed, joseph used both the nephite interpreters later called the urim and thummim that were discovered with the plates and his individual seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with the urim and thummim, not by a seer stone in a hat. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center. In a general conference of the church in october 1831, in orange, ohio, hyrum smith asked his brother, joseph, to. The record was translated from reformed egyptian into english through the gift and power of god.

Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including accounts of joseph smith using a. It is, therefore, no surprise that further claims that joseph had used said stone for translation purposes were met with caution from early church leaders. He testified that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion introduction to the book of mormon. Martin harris tests joseph smith during the translation of the golden plates. The following essay is the official lds released essay entitled book of mormon translation. Yes, joseph smith really did use a seer stone in the. Did joseph smith use a hat during the translation of the. Mark ashurstmcgee of the joseph smith papers project concerning the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints believe that joseph smith used a seer stone in the book of mormon translation effort. References to the stone being used during the book of mormon translation are not confined to the nineteenth century. He defends this by only quoting statements from joseph and from oliver cowdery, who used the term urim and thummim to describe the instrument used in the translation.

Elizabeth ann whitmer cowdery, witness to the translation. The book of mormon is a sacred volume of scripture, a second testament and witness of jesus christ, the redeemer of the world. Martin played a trick on joseph to prove whether he actually was translating golden plates or was not. All methods of seeing with objects required some method whereby normal vision was masked. The manuscript in the new book actually belongs to the community of. How the book of mormon translation story changed over time. 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. The gold plates and the translation of the book of mormon the gold plates and the translation of the book of mormon according to joseph smiths later accounts, three years after he experienced his first vision of deity, an angel appeared to him in 1823 and told him of an ancient record written on gold plates. He put a rock called a peep stone in his hat and put his face in the hat to tell his customers the location of buried treasure on their property. Joseph smith used a stone in a hat to help him in his translation of the book of mormon. Eventually, even joseph smith used urim and thummim indiscriminately as labels generically representing either the book of mormon interpreters or the seer stone used during translation. Mormon and moroni, the book says, had abridged earlier historical records from other sets of metal plates. The gold plates and the translation of the book of mormon.

Joseph smith said that the book of mormon translation was performed by the gift and power of god. In addition to the urim and thummim, other witnesses of the translation described another seer stone that joseph smith also used in translating the book of mormon. Neville insists that joseph only used the nephite interpreters to translate the book of mormon and never used a seer stone in a hat. 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. 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. Eyewitness descriptions of the gold plates from which the book of mormon was translated. Lds scholar stephen ricks concurred with these witnesses seer stone version of the 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. Urim and thummim makes a great case for simply going back to the basics. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones.

We have no record of the prophet having the urim and thummim after the organization of the church. Oct 09, 2018 friendly, faithful sources which affirm joseph smith used a seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon include martin harris and emma smith, to name just two. 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 debunked. It is the meaning that is most important in the book of mormon, not the words. 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. Elizabeth ann whitmer cowdery, who observed joseph smith translating with his brown seer stone, called it a director in her statement describing the translation. The church certainly hasnt said that joseph smith used a treasure hunting rock to translate. Fairmormon agrees with this statement, but attempts to argue that this method has been described in a variety of sources, as if to suggest that the rock in the hat translation method is common knowledge. Is it true that the translation of the book of mormon by. In the video seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon, mason allred interviews dr. Joseph smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light. 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. Joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon is his translation of an ancient book written on gold plates. Were joseph smiths translation instruments like the israelite urim and thummim.

The translation of the book of mormon was truly a miraculous event in the history of mormonism. Brigham believed that the translation of the book of mormon was a miracle, but not that it was an infallible translation that could never be changed. The same goes for oliver cowderys use of the terms in his description of the translation process. Joseph used a rock in a hat for the book of mormon dictation but may have also used the 1769 kjv edition bible and possibly other sources in aiding in producing the book of mormon. Uchtdorf posted on his facebook page comparing the seer stone in the hat book of mormon translation to his iphone.

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. 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. Ostler as sistant professor of church history and doctrine, byu from revelations of the restoration. 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. When j smith returned to looking at the stone in the hat, js said he could not see any words to read out, and the switch was discovered. Jan 09, 2020 the earliest published record that im aware of that mentions his use of such a stone as a translation tool comes from the notoriously antilatterday saint book, mormonism unveiled 1834. 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 commentary on the doctrine and covenants and other modern revel ations salt lake city, ut. In the ces letter, i wrote that joseph smith used a rock in a hat for translating the book of mormon. However, the faithful assurance that it is a translation has not had an accompanying understanding of how that translation took place. The following is an excerpt taken from an interview between martin harris and edward. When it comes to the book of mormon translation, there is what is called a tight translation and there is what is called a loose translation. 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.

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. Friendly, faithful sources which affirm joseph smith used a seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon include martin harris and emma smith, to name just two. Rumor has it that steve harper and others in the church history dept, and maybe some folks at byu, may be transitioning to replace the blatant lie of translation in the old mormon narrative with revelation for a new and revised narrative. Mar 26, 2007 the founder of the lds church, joseph smith, claimed an angel named moroni visited him in september of 1823. What are 1769 kjv edition errors doing in book of mormon. The book of mormon is the keystone of our religion.

The article is fairly brief and only superficially addresses the problem. 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. According to witness accounts, he would put the stones in a hat and pull the hat close. In 1822, joseph smith found a brown, eggcolored stone while digging a well for willard chase. When joseph was asked how exactly he translated the book of mormon, he never gave any details, he only said that he did it by the gift and power of god. When joseph smith wrote the nowfamous letter to john wentworth outlining the rise and progress of the church, he described the translation of the book of mormon as proceeding through the medium of the urim and thummim. Critics have made merry over this, but it makes sense and its. Why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of. Fairmormon posted new book of mormon translation artwork showing joseph smiths face in a hat.

The motive for adopting the term urim and thummim is the subject of continued debate and ongoing study. The question at hand, then, is whether or not smiths translation of the book of mormon plates is true. Nelsons quote of david whitmers description of the stone and the hat in the july 1993 ensign. Martin harris tests joseph smith during the translation of the golden plates martin played a trick on joseph to prove whether he actually was translating golden plates or was not. Book of mormon translation response to an essay on the mechanical process in which the book of mormon was translated was put in the topical guide of the website on 1230. The translation of the book of mormon and church art for many years, latterday saints were led to believe that joseph smith translated the book of mormon by looking directly at the gold plates that he supposedly dug up out of the ground in 1827 that had been buried by moroni, whom leaders have taught was the last living nephite, in the fifth. Mar 21, 2018 why was a stone used as an aid in 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.

Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with a seerstone. Martin harris also stated that the prophet translated a portion of the book of mormon, with the seer stone in his possession. I repeat, then, that the translation of the book of mormon by means of the interpreters and seer stone, was not merely a mechanical process, but required the utmost concentration of mental and spiritual force possessed by the prophet, in order to exercise the gift of translation through the means of the sacred instruments provided. 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. The practice of using stones or glass to receive divine revelation is found in many cultures, including among the ancient israelites and maya. But beginning about 182728, smith and his followers began to change how they talked about the translation process, transforming it from magical treasure lore into christian epic. The book of mormon came into the world through a series of miraculous events. Most latterday saints grew up learning that joseph smith translated the book of mormon through the use of magic spectacles known as the urim and thummim. We have already seen a reference to the stone in the september 1974 friend and elder russell m. Aug 21, 2015 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. In 1956, elder joseph fielding smith knew of the seer stone, but did not believe that joseph actually used it during the translation of the book of mormon. Why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of mormon. Septemberoctober 1999 evidence is continuing to surface that joseph smith, founder of mormonism, had built quite a reputation as a local magician in rural new york prior to his supposed discovery of the golden plates and the translation of them to the book of mormon.

The urim and thummim was preserved in a stone box, along with the gold plates, for over 1,500 years for the purpose of. This heavenly messenger is reported to have told him about gold plates that contained a. That is, accepting the translation of the book of mormon as joseph said it was done, as opposed to how others claim it was done. The church through the essay on the translation of the book of mormon has admitted that joseph smith used the seer stone in the hat method. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones book. Book of mormon translation as you will see from the article, joseph smith apparently alternated between using the urim and thummim which he obtained simultaneously with the plates, and a seer stone that he had owned for some time previously. It was released by the church to help explain how the book of mormon was translated, and to explain why the true story of the translation differs so greatly from the official church narrative taught since its founding. You mentioned that during the early translation of the book of mormon that martin harris had switched the seer stone out for a similar looking stone he found. I will now give you a description of the manner in which the book of mormon was translated. Did joseph smith translate the book of mormon with a rock in. Did the church try to hide josephs use of a seer stone to.

Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of. He also used this same method for translating 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 would easily fit the identity of gazelem. We have been taught since the days of the prophet that the urim and thummim were returned with the plates to the angel. 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. It is well researched and very enlightening and a must read for those who are willing to accept the word. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon. The book of mormon was presented to the world as the translation of an ancient text engraved on golden plates more than 180 years ago. They have also admitted that the golden plates were not used and just sat on the table covered with a linen cloth. In other words, joseph used the same magic device or ouija board that he used during his treasure hunting days. The book of mormon itself portrays the golden plates as a historical record, engraved by two precolumbian prophethistorians from around the year ad 400. Joseph smiths translation of the book of mormon neal a.

The translation of the book of mormon, from dan vogel, ed. Book of mormon translation joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon is his translation of an ancient book written on gold plates. This stone was a small, brown, ovalshaped stone that joseph had been inspired to discover earlier in his life. Aug 04, 2015 they say that god helped him translate the text using the stone and other tools, which became known as the book of mormon. For instance, i read that at first he used a seer stone instead of the urim and thummim which he placed in his hat and buried his face into the hat to block out the light. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon. Some apologists within the lds church argue that smith never used the seer stone in the translation, that the term urim and thummim is not a later development, and accuse those who make a distinction of being revisionist historians. Mormons believe that 185 years ago, smith found gold plates engraved with writing in ancient egyptian in upstate new york. After this, seer stones were generally not used while receiving revelation or translation. 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. While a select few did hear joseph refer to magical items, nobody ever saw a breastplate, spectacles, or ancient interpreter stones. 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.

A sentence of the book of mormon would appear and beneath it would appear the english translation. It is evident from historical records that, in bringing forth and dictating the translation of the book of mormon, joseph smith used, at varying times in 1828 and 1829, either the nephite interpreters later. Although we do not fully understand precisely how the book of mormon was translated, the. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with the urim. Martin harris tests joseph smith during the translation of. Initially, he is said to have used two stones set in frames as glasses to see the new translation. If he did, it was the stone of the urim and thummim. 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. The following is an excerpt taken from an interview between martin harris and edward stevenson. He moved in with the smiths in the winter of 1828 to act as scribe for joseph smith. Translation of the book of mormon religionwiki fandom. The p rocess of translating the book of mormon j oseph fielding mcconkie prof essor of ancient scripture, byu c raig j.

Book of mormon written through a peep stone in a hat issue date. Similarly, joseph smith used both the nephite interpreters and his individual seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon. The exact process by which that power was manifest through joseph smith is only fully known to the lord and the prophet. How exactly did joseph smith translate the book of mormon. Joseph smith translating the book of mormon by looking at a seer stone in a hat.