Mar 21, 2018 why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of mormon. 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. 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. In 1822, joseph smith found a brown, eggcolored stone while digging a well for willard chase. In the ces letter, i wrote that joseph smith used a rock in a hat for 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 debunked. We will likely never fully understand how joseph smith translated 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. Neville insists that joseph only used the nephite interpreters to translate the book of mormon and never used a seer stone in a hat.
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. 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. 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. 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. The article is fairly brief and only superficially addresses the problem. The question at hand, then, is whether or not smiths translation of the book of mormon plates is true. The lost 116 pages of the book of mormon manuscript. However, the faithful assurance that it is a translation has not had an accompanying understanding of how that translation took place. Martin played a trick on joseph to prove whether he actually was translating golden plates or was not. Joseph smiths translation of the book of mormon neal a. Fairmormon posted new book of mormon translation artwork showing joseph smiths face in a hat.
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. It is the meaning that is most important in the book of mormon, not the words. 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. 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. 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. 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. The exact process by which that power was manifest through joseph smith is only fully known to the lord and the prophet. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with the urim. 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. The following is an excerpt taken from an interview between martin harris and edward stevenson. The motive for adopting the term urim and thummim is the subject of continued debate and ongoing study.
Critics have made merry over this, but it makes sense and its. All methods of seeing with objects required some method whereby normal vision was masked. The book of mormon is the keystone of our religion. The church certainly hasnt said that joseph smith used a treasure hunting rock to translate. 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. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center. In other words, joseph used the same magic device or ouija board that he used during his treasure hunting days. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with a seerstone. 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.
The book of mormon came into the world through a series of miraculous events. 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. 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. 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. Joseph smith used a stone in a hat to help him in his translation of the book of mormon. 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. Did the church try to hide josephs use of a seer stone to. If he did, it was the stone of the urim and thummim. 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. He moved in with the smiths in the winter of 1828 to act as scribe for joseph smith.
Why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of mormon. Martin harris tests joseph smith during the translation of the golden plates. Book of mormon translation joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon is his translation of an ancient book written on gold plates. Lds scholar stephen ricks concurred with these witnesses seer stone version of the translation. It is well researched and very enlightening and a must read for those who are willing to accept the word. 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. 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. The urim and thummim was preserved in a stone box, along with the gold plates, for over 1,500 years for the purpose of. 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. How exactly did joseph smith translate the book of mormon. We have already seen a reference to the stone in the september 1974 friend and elder russell m. 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. Mormon and moroni, the book says, had abridged earlier historical records from other sets of metal plates. 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.
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. 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. 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. 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. References to the stone being used during the book of mormon translation are not confined to the nineteenth century. The book of mormon is a sacred volume of scripture, a second testament and witness of jesus christ, the redeemer of the world. Joseph smith translating the book of mormon by looking at a seer stone in a hat. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with the urim and thummim, not by a seer stone in a hat.
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. Translation of the book of mormon religionwiki fandom. 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. Did joseph smith use a hat during the translation of the. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones. The practice of using stones or glass to receive divine revelation is found in many cultures, including among the ancient israelites and maya. They say that god helped him translate the text using the stone and other tools, which became known as the book of mormon. The gold plates and the translation of the book of mormon. 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. Book of mormon written through a peep stone in a hat issue date. I will now give you a description of the manner in which the book of mormon was translated. Uchtdorf posted on his facebook page comparing the seer stone in the hat book of mormon translation to his iphone. While a select few did hear joseph refer to magical items, nobody ever saw a breastplate, spectacles, or ancient interpreter stones.
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. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon. How the book of mormon translation story changed over time. In a general conference of the church in october 1831, in orange, ohio, hyrum smith asked his brother, joseph, to. Is it true that the translation of the book of mormon by. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Mar 26, 2007 the founder of the lds church, joseph smith, claimed an angel named moroni visited him in september of 1823. Similarly, 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. Initially, he is said to have used two stones set in frames as glasses to see the new translation. 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. 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. Were joseph smiths translation instruments like the israelite urim and thummim. The translation of the book of mormon, from dan vogel, ed. 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. According to most accounts, the seer stone was used during all stages of the translation of the book of mormon, both before and after the loss of the first 116 manuscript pages. In the video seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon, mason allred interviews dr. The following essay is the official lds released essay entitled book of mormon translation. This stone was a small, brown, ovalshaped stone that joseph had been inspired to discover earlier in his life.
Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including accounts of joseph smith using a. The following is an excerpt taken from an interview between martin harris and edward. This heavenly messenger is reported to have told him about gold plates that contained a. 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 translation of the book of mormon was truly a miraculous event in the history of mormonism. The manuscript in the new book actually belongs to the community of. He also used this same method for translating the book of mormon. Joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon is his translation of an ancient book written on gold plates. The record was translated from reformed egyptian into english through the gift and power of god. 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. Urim and thummim makes a great case for simply going back to the basics.
Although we do not fully understand precisely how the book of mormon was translated, the. Elizabeth ann whitmer cowdery, who observed joseph smith translating with his brown seer stone, called it a director in her statement describing the translation. Martin harris also stated that the prophet translated a portion of the book of mormon, with the seer stone in his possession. 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. The book of mormon itself portrays the golden plates as a historical record, engraved by two precolumbian prophethistorians from around the year ad 400. 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. Martin harris tests joseph smith during the translation of. Did joseph smith translate the book of mormon with a rock in. That was the time of completing the book of mormon, which was translated through the nephite interpreters and also josephs other seer stone s. After this, seer stones were generally not used while receiving revelation or translation. 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. 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.
We have no record of the prophet having the urim and thummim after the organization of the church. A commentary on the doctrine and covenants and other modern revel ations salt lake city, ut. They have also admitted that the golden plates were not used and just sat on the table covered with a linen cloth. 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. 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. 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.
The p rocess of translating the book of mormon j oseph fielding mcconkie prof essor of ancient scripture, byu c raig j. What are 1769 kjv edition errors doing in book of mormon. A sentence of the book of mormon would appear and beneath it would appear the english translation. Ostler as sistant professor of church history and doctrine, byu from revelations of the restoration. Mormons believe that 185 years ago, smith found gold plates engraved with writing in ancient egyptian in upstate new york. Why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of. 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. We have been taught since the days of the prophet that the urim and thummim were returned with the plates to the angel. 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. Nelsons quote of david whitmers description of the stone and the hat in the july 1993 ensign. Joseph smith said that the book of mormon translation was performed by the gift and power of god. Eyewitness descriptions of the gold plates from which the book of mormon was translated.
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. Mark ashurstmcgee of the joseph smith papers project concerning the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process. Joseph smith, a poor farm boy, had very little formal education. The same goes for oliver cowderys use of the terms in his description of the translation process. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon. 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. Elizabeth ann whitmer cowdery, witness to the translation. According to witness accounts, he would put the stones in a hat and pull the hat close. 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 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. 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. 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. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones book. Joseph smith would easily fit the identity of gazelem.
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