The seer stone that was used by joseph smith is the instrument through which god supposedly gave him the ability to translate the book of mormon. In the video seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon, mason allred interviews dr. What did the interpreters urim and thummim look like. When it comes to the book of mormon translation, there is what is called a tight translation and there is. A picture of a smooth, brown, eggsized rock is shown in the printers manuscript of the book of mormon following a news conference on tuesday at the church of jesus christ of latter. Seer stone in a hat book of mormon translation latter. One 1976 book page 181 produced during this period, the story of the latterday saints, by james b.
Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of. This by itself is a massive problem for the book of mormon s claim to authenticity, as it contradicts the narrative that joseph smith translated the book of mormon by putting his seer stone in a hat, sticking his head fully inside to block out light, and then writing down the words that appeared from 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. Covenant communications, 2017, knowing why, pages 197198, provides a short summary of john. Similarly, joseph smith used both the nephite interpreters and his individual seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon.
Joseph smith described them as spectacles with which he could read the record and later as two transparent stones set in the rim of a bow. 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. Jul 20, 2018 what a about our 10 president of the church, president joseph fielding smith. Did joseph smith use seer stones and a hat to translate the. How did joseph smith translate the plates from which the book. Book of mormontranslationthe interpreters, seer stone, hat. He claimed that when placed in the hat, words would appear which he would then read off to the transcriber. Why would joseph smith use the same stone for translating the book of mormon. The founder of the lds church, joseph smith, claimed an angel named moroni visited him in september of 1823. A piece of something resembling parchment would appear. Come look at our secret stone tell harry potter as part of its reluctant campaign to be more transparent about mormon teaching, the lds church highlights one of its weirder elements. Joseph smith used the seer stones referred to as the urim and thummim to translate the book of mormon to various scribes, oliver cowdery being the scribe used for most of the book of mormon. When joseph claimed to know where to go to find the plates, it was probably because he claimed to see the spot in his seer stone.
Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with the urim and thummim, not by a seer stone 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 enabling joseph smith to translate. Oct 03, 2019 in their stead, david whitmer maintained, the prophet used an ovalshaped, chocolatecolored seer stone slightly larger than an egg. Joseph smiths use of seerstones in the revealing of the. Yes, joseph smith really did use a seer stone in the. 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. Joseph smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face. 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.
So, when do members hear the lesson that says js translated the bom by putting his head in a hat with seer stones. In fact, historical evidence shows that in addition to the two seer stones known as interpreters, joseph smith used at least one other seer stone in translating the book of mormon, often placing it into a hat in order to block out light. Martin harris described them as two white, marble like stones that could be looked into when placed in a hat. Although the two terms are often coupled, there is a scriptural difference between a prophet and a seer. Seer stones and the book of mormon edit a 21stcentury artistic representation of joseph smith translating the golden plates by examining a seer stone in his hat. Did joseph smith translate the book of mormon with a rock. 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. Did the prophet tutor some of the early brethren in ancient nephite characters did joseph smith translate the book of mormon using a dark seer stone in a hat why are progressive historians creating a new history using sources from a man who vowed to wash his hands in the blood of joseph smith, while boasting that. Joseph would place this small, special rock in his hat then pull the hat up to his face to block out all light.
Translating the book of mormon, proceedings of the 2011 fair conference august 2011. They argue that church members are taught that joseph translated the record only by means of the urim and thummim. Between 1827 and 1830, joseph smith transcribed the book of mormon from ancient golden plates, translating their ancient egyptian language into english by means of a brown, eggshaped seer. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon.
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. Sep 16, 2010 david whitmer, one of the three witnesses whose testimony appears at the front of the book of mormon. This discounted bundle includes five products answering questions on freemasonry, seer stones, the translation of the book of mormon, faith crisis, the mark hofmann forgeries, polygamy, and far more. A twentyfirst century believers view of the book of mormon. Critics and exmembers frequently claim that the church covers up the fact that joseph used a seer stone in a hat to translate the book of mormon. Smith translating the golden plates by examining a seer stone in his hat. Used seer stone in hat to translate 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. Roger nicholson, the spectacles, the stone, the hat, and the book.
Seer stones and the translation of 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. Critics of joseph smith get all worked up about issues like him using seer stones to translate the book of mormon. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center. What david whitmer said about the seer stone and hat, 1887 i will now give you a description of the manner in which the book of mormon was translated.
Book of mormon written through a peep stone in a hat. I will now give you a description of the manner in which the book of mormon was translated. Leonard, noted in a straightforward manner josephs acquisition of his seer stone and its use in the translation of the book of mormon. Thus the book of mormon was translated by the gift and power of god, and not by any power of man. In fact, faith is magical, so i have no problem with. The text of the book of mormon calls these stones interpreters and explains. Whitmer, was translated by placing the chocolatecolored stone in a hat into which joseph would bury his head so as to close out the light. Mark ashurstmcgee of the joseph smith papers project concerning the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process. The urim and thummim became part of the story when it was presented within and to the great tradition. A piece of something resembling parchment would appear, and on.
Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including joseph smith using a seer stone and. Why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of mormon. This heavenly messenger is reported to have told him about gold plates that contained a record of former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. According to these accounts, joseph placed either the interpreters or the seer stone in a hat, pressed his face into the hat to block out extraneous light, and read aloud the english words that appeared on the instrument. Once thought by many latterday saints to be an anti mormon fairy tale, recent latterday saint scholars have affirmed this story. Ive always been fascinated with the seer stones maybe i just want to believe in magic.
A seer stone an d a hat translat ing the book of mormon mormonism research ministry bill mckeever and eric johnson posted on 12272010 11. 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. Thus, everything we have in the book of mormon, according to mr. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon.
So its not a light or trivial fact that, when he went to write his personal history, joseph knight sr. The book of mormon explains how a seer is greater than a prophet, and how joseph smith can be called the choice seer of the latter days. Book of mormon written through a peep stone in a hat issue date. We showed earlier that joseph falsified his official history by claiming that his involvement in treasure hunting was limited to a monthlong expedition in which he was just. What are 1769 kjv edition errors doing in 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. Joseph smith and the making of the book of mormon by william davis, published by the university of north carolina press genre. These are two different items, and is still debated how much the seer stone.
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. David whitmer said, regarding smiths translation of 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 did joseph smith study and master the nephite language. The interpreters were taken from joseph after he allowed martin harris to carry away the 116 pages of ms of the book of mormon as a punishment, but he was allowed to go on and translate by the use of a seers stone which he had, and which he placed in a hat into which he buried his face, stating to me and others that the original. The interpreters were taken from joseph after he allowed martin harris to carry away the 116 pages of ms manuscript of the book of mormon as a punishment, but he was allowed to go on and translate by use of a seers stone which he had, and which he placed in a hat into which he buried his face, stating to me and others that the original. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of mormon. Mormons react to firstever photograph of joseph smiths seer stone. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones book of.
Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with the urim and. He as a church historian for 69 years and the president of the church. Book of mormon witnesses, seer stones, and a hat eve out. Michael mackay on changing views that seemed set in stone. Between about 18281829, joseph used the brown stone to dictate the book of mormon. Joseph the seer the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Some earlynineteenthcentury americans used seer stones in attempts to gain revelations from god or to find buried treasure.
Fairmormon posted new book of mormon translation artwork showing joseph smiths face in a hat. A piece of something resembling parchment would appear, and on that appeared the writing. The practice of using stones or glass to receive divine revelation is found in many cultures, including among the ancient israelites and maya. 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. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. 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. Mormons react to firstever photograph of joseph smiths seer. Josephs use of the seer stone in the hat reveals that the book of mormon originated in the context of josephs disreputable magical moneydigging enterprises. Last week i attended part of the 22nd international book of mormon.
Did joseph smith use a hat to translate the book of. Did joseph smith translate the book of mormon with a rock in. 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. Aug 08, 2015 it also released photos of the seer stone that joseph smith used as a scryer to search for buried treasure, and that he also placed in a hat to produce the text for the book of mormon. Although we do not fully understand precisely how the book of mormon was translated, the.
He studied the historical documents claiming that joseph smith translated the book of mormon using a seer stone in a hat and he concluded joseph smith did not use a seer stone to translate. One character at a time would appear, then it would disappear, and another character with the interpretation would appear, thus the book of mormons was translated by the gift and power of god, and not by any. A while back, someone posted an official primary lesson that talked about js translating the bom from gold plates. Mormon church releases photos of seer stone used by. The hat and seer stone was mentioned in a 1993 ensign, but never incorporated into official lesson manuals. All methods of seeing with objects required some method whereby normal vision was masked. The leap from the newspaper source to pratts account would indicate that joseph smith had a white stone that he kept in his possession after he gave his brown. Joseph smith translated much of the book of mormon by placing a seer stone in a hat then reading the book s text to a scribe. A twentyfirst century believers view of the book of mormon translation, interpreter. 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. Book of mormon witnesses, seer stones, and a hat eve out of. According to josephs contemporaries, he did this in order to better view the words on the stone. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon youtube. Mormon church releases photos of seer stone used by founder.
David whitmer, an address to all believers in christ, 1887. Claims and controversies of book of mormon translation, sunstone, december 2010, 2029. He wrote, on arriving there joseph produced a small stone called a seer stone, and putting it into a hat soon commenced speaking and asked elder pratt to write as he would speak. Uchtdorf posted on his facebook page comparing the seer stone in the hat book of mormon translation to his iphone. The seer stone display at the church history museum in salt lake city. The interpreters were a pair of seer stones used by book of mormon prophets and provided to joseph smith for translating the nephite record. Smiths usual procedure was to place the stone in a white stovepipe hat, put his face.
Sep 20, 2009 they both had reputations based on their skill at using seer stones, and since joseph smith found the brown stone using the green stone of sally chase, and joseph smith then used the brown seer stone to translate the book of mormon, the significance of whether or not sally chase was a necromancer is crucial in defining joseph smiths role. From about 1819, smith regularly practiced scrying, a form of divination in which a seer looked into a seer stone to receive supernatural knowledge. They think is part of the occult or satanic or something along those lines. A prophet is a spokesperson for god, whereas a seer is one who uses means divine instruments to reveal mysteries and secrets. An analysis of the lds church seer stone announcement. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon youtube. Jun 29, 2008 the pics that the leaders of the mormon church protray are decieving.
Joseph smith put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light. Seer stones, magic, occult, the bible and joseph smith. Book of mormontranslationthe interpreters, seer stone. Was book of mormon translated with peep stoneseer stone. I want to address joseph smiths seer stone, his hat, the three witnesses, emma smiths witness and elizabeth ann whitmer cowderys witness. It also released photos of the seer stone that joseph smith used as a scryer to search for buried treasure, and that he also placed in a hat to produce the text for the book of mormon. According to these accounts, joseph placed either the interpreters or the seer stone in a hat, pressed his face into the hat to block out extraneous light, and read. 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. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones.
To overcome clear evidence that joseph smith translated the entire book of mormon with a seer stone in a hat instead of the official story about spectacles attached to a breastplate, apologist roger nicholson has argued that smith alternated between instruments even after the loss of the 116 pagesthat he often put the spectacles into his hat. So when do members hear the official head in hat with seer. The mormon church for the first time is publishing photos of the seer stone it believes founder joseph smith used to help translate the story that became the basis of the religion. Yes, joseph smith really did use a seer stone in the translation of. Eyewitnesses reported that he also translated using a dark brown seer stone placed in a hat to exclude exterior light and that he used a seer stone for many of his early revelations. Did joseph smith study and master the nephite language. See the gospel topics essay, book of mormon translation, at. Apr 26, 2016 although the two terms are often coupled, there is a scriptural difference between a prophet and a seer. 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. 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.
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