What do we know about the method used to translate the book of mormon. The church officially brings up the rock in the hat book of mormon translation process in the ensign in september 1977 and july 1993 as well as in its new december 20 book of mormon translation essay. Why did the book of mormon come forth as a miracle. 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. In reality the major difference between the averagememberview of the book of mormon translation joseph looked into the crystals in the interpreters vs the historical view joseph looked into a seer stone in a hat is the hatone is a stone or crystal out of the hat.
Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with a seerstone. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon. The gold plates were never used and joseph used a seer stone he had found in a well to translate. Fair book of mormon translation stone in a hat recovery. 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. 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. 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. 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. Joseph never talked about how the book of mormon translation process went. Did the church try to hide josephs use of a seer stone to. Even though the stone had been discussed in church magazines before, many mormons apparently.
An unlearned farmer covered his face with a hat containing a stone and dictated a book of over 500 pages a sophisticated religious text that calls the world to repentance, affirms the bible, and ardently testifies of the divinity of jesus christ and the power and necessity of his atonement. The stone joseph smith used in the book of mormon translation effort was often referred to as a chocolatecolored stone with an oval shape. Mar 19, 2018 mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including accounts of joseph smith using a seer stone to translate the. No doubt they understand that most people would balk in accepting the book of mormon if it was known to have been translated by using a magical rock and a hat. This is how book of mormon central explains the translation. David whitmer, whose family provided a place for joseph and oliver to complete the work of translation, provided this additional information. Book of mormon written through a peep stone in a hat issue date. That was the time of completing the book of mormon, which was translated through the nephite interpreters and also josephs other seer stones. That was the time of completing the book of mormon, which was translated through the nephite interpreters and also josephs other seer stone s. Book of mormon translation lds church is true blog.
Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon youtube. It is claimed that each sentence and word in the 1830 book of mormon had supposedly come directly from god. David whitmer indicated that the seer stone was later given to oliver cowdery. Adams provided this rather colorful description of the book of mormon translation method. 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. It presents the testimony of the authoritative witnesses for the truth that this book of books was truly translated by joseph smith using the ancient nephite record, by means of the instrument prepared by the lord for. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones.
Fairmormon posted new book of mormon translation artwork showing joseph smiths face in a hat. Emma smith, joseph smiths wife and scribe for part of the book of mormon, made a clear distinction between the two in an 1870 letter, the first that my. 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. When joseph placed this seer stone in a hat to block out light, the words of the lord appeared on the stone or on parchment and. Mark ashurstmcgee of the joseph smith papers project concerning the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process. It was all done with the spectacles, the stone, the hat, and the book. 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 twentyfirst century believers view of the book of mormon translation roger nicholson. There are so many problems with the book of mormon, from the actual story to the archaeology to how it was eventually translated. Firsthand witness accounts of the translation process. The young man, however, had very little formal education and was incapable of writing a book on his own, let alone translating an ancient book written from an unknown language, known in the book of mormon as reformed egyptian. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center.
When lds artists depict the translation of the book of mormon, it doesnt look like william smiths description of joseph placing the interpreters, or the seer stone, in a hat and holding it to his face to block out the light. The translation of the book of mormon was truly marvelous. Why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of. Out of those 7 official articles, only 3 articles clearly explain the rock in the hat book of mormon translation process to the members. 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. Did joseph smith translate the book of mormon with a rock in. Check out 10 reasons why the book of mormon is rejected as scripture by christians. New joseph smith papers volume published book of mormon. This is an epic book exemplifying the importance of knowing the true narrative of the translation of the book of mormon. Were the plates sometimes not in the room while joseph was translating them.
Because of emmas statement about the brown stone, some historians have concluded that joseph smith used a single seer stone exclusively during this period of the book of mormon translation, but joseph likely used another seer stone at that time as well. 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. Whats so remarkable about this part of the translation of the book of mormon is the breakneck pace of the work the translation of the text during this time was completed in an astounding 65 to 72 working days based on the number of pages in the 1830 edition 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. The book of mormon came into the world through a series of miraculous events. Why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of mormon. Jan 02, 2020 david whitmer, whose family provided a place for joseph and oliver to complete the work of translation, provided this additional information. The translation of the book of mormon, from dan vogel, ed. 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 urim and thummim is a stone or other substance sanctified and illuminated by the spirit of the living god, and presented to those who are blessed with the gift of seeing.
Another potential connection between the book of mormon and the book of abraham, or at least the manner in which these texts were revealed or translated, comes from some evidence which suggest joseph smith used the seer stone in the translation of the papyri. 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. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones book. The scribes who assisted with the translation unquestionably believed that joseph translated by divine power. The stone that was used to translate the entire book of mormon. The church later admitted these facts in its october 2015 ensign, where they include a photograph of the actual rock that joseph smith used to place in his hat for the book of mormon translation. Apostle orson pratt gave an expansive definition in 1851 stating. Joseph smith foundation director, author, film producer, speaker l. For example, it makes multiple mentions of horses, despite the complete lack of evidence that there were horses anywhere in the new world during the book of mormon timeframe along with. Joseph smith said that the book of mormon translation was performed by the gift and power of god the lost 116 pages of the book of mormon manuscript. 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. The truth of the book of mormon and its divine source can be known. 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. Chases niece sally was also a glasslooker who got joseph interested in the use of rocks for seeing things beneath the ground.
This stone passed from joseph smith to oliver cowdery and then to the church through brigham young. The church certainly hasnt said that joseph smith used a treasure hunting rock to translate. We have a few quotes from martin harris, emma smith, david whitmer, and oliver cowdery that suggest something like this. 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. Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including accounts of joseph smith using a seer stone to translate the.
How the book of mormon translation story changed over time. In conclusion, we feel that the move away from the actual facts of the translation process of the book of mormon demonstrates a lack of credibility on the part of lds leaders. 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. Urim and thummim makes a great case for simply going back to the basics. She is the founder of joseph smiths legacy and the producer or director of six documentary films. Dahl, theories of the origin, translation process and publication of the book of mormon, unpublished 1982 paper. Joseph smith declared that he translated the book of mormon by the gift and power of god. 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 practice of using stones or glass to receive divine revelation is found in many cultures, including among the ancient israelites and maya. 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. 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 article is fairly brief and only superficially addresses the problem.
Although we do not fully understand precisely how the book of mormon was translated, the. 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. After the translation of the book of mormon was finished early in the spring of 1830 before april 6th, joseph gave the stone to oliver cowdery and told me as well as the rest that he was through with it, and he did not use the stone anymore. Uchtdorf posted on his facebook page comparing the seer stone in the hat book of mormon translation to his iphone. Seer stones and the translation of 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. 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.
Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon through a careful. Joseph smith translating the book of mormon by looking at a seer stone in a hat. 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. 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. If he did, it was the stone of the urim and thummim. Joseph smiths magic seer stonedefinition of seer stone.
While the term is ubiquitous and well ingrained in modern latter day saint theology, it was not initially applied to the spectacles or seer stone used in translating the book of mormon, and urim and thummim does not appear within the book or mormon or early versions of the doctrine and covenants. 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. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. 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. Mar, 2007 a seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon aaron shafovaloff. Book of mormon written through a peep stone in a hat. Joseph found this particular stone while digging a well for willard chase. The process of translating the reformed egyptian plates was simple though peculiar.
Similarly, joseph smith used both the nephite interpreters and his individual seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon. The practice of using stones or glass to receive divine revelation is found in many cultures, including among the ancient. Dirkmaat, firsthand witness accounts of the translation process, in the coming forth of the book of mormon. 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 if one assumes that fairmormons undisputed silence is acceptance of the facts, fairmormon agrees with 100% of the ces letters book of mormon translation section breakdown can be found here. 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.
Did joseph smith translate the book of mormon with a rock. One 1976 book page 181 produced during this period, the story of the latterday saints, by james b. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon aaron shafovaloff. He then lists 5 lds sources that he claims states that joseph translated the book of mormon with a hat. 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. Richard van wagoner and steve walker, joseph smith. Joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon is his translation of an ancient book written on gold plates. After this, seer stones were generally not used while receiving revelation or translation. If joseph saw a wordforword translation on the stone, then why are there so many historic and linguistic errors including spelling in the book of mormon. 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. In the video seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon, mason allred interviews dr. Historical prattle or competent testimony book of mormon. Mar 21, 2018 in the video seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon, mason allred interviews dr. These facts are now officially confirmed in the churchs december 20 book of mormon translation essay.
It is well researched and very enlightening and a must read for those who are willing to accept the word. While a select few did hear joseph refer to magical items, nobody ever saw a breastplate, spectacles, or ancient interpreter stones. Brother knight wrote his testimony long before david whitmer or any other eyewitness to the stoneinthehat method wrote theirs. Yes, joseph smith really did use a seer stone in the. All about the mormons unable to deflect the inevitable any longer, the church released this essay which was followed up with this statement.