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. I watched him closely to see that he did not look to one side. People wanted more information and wondered why they hadnt been aware of the stones existence. Some of the quotes from mormons who owned seer stones, or talked about seer stones, or saw seer stones.
Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon. Davis and publisher the university of north carolina press. The church recently released a picture of the seer stone joseph smith used to translate the book of mormon. Lds quotes about seer stones eve out of the garden. Joseph smith put the seer stone into a hat, and put his. It also traces the provenance of his stones once they left his possession. He also used a tool called the urim and thummim, two clear rocks bound together with metal that looked like a pair of glasses. Apr 26, 2016 a prophet is a spokesperson for god, whereas a seer is one who uses means divine instruments to reveal mysteries and secrets. This book will be convincing to those already certain that the gold plates actually existed and that the eleven witnesses saw them. Aug 08, 2015 for detailed discussions of josephs use of a seer stone in the book of mormons creation, see ces letter, mormon think, or d. First, no one except joseph apparently ever so much as saw the stone spectacles. To nonmormons, of course, the story seems fantastical, heretical, or a con.
He knew he could never replicate the first 116 pages because he was not even translating from the golden plates, but he also needed the first part of the book of mormon or it would be a book with no beginning. Book of mormontranslationthe interpreters, seer stone, hat. With this stone all of the present book of mormon was translated. What david whitmer said about the seer stone and hat, 1887. Book cover contains artists painting of josephs white seer stone. This is the very seer stone that the prophet joseph smith used part of the time when translating the book of mormon. If you ask most people to translate that phrase from spanish to english, they would translate it as. Perhaps one should not expect that a book about the witnesses to the book of mormon published by deseret book company would be anything other than an attempt to strengthen the readers faith in the book of mormon.
Save up to 80% by choosing the etextbook option for isbn. 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 twentyfirst century believers view of the book of mormon translation, interpreter. In a nutshell, the authors a couple of latterday saint scholars disagree with the idea that joseph used a seer stone to help him translate the book of mormon. Both of these instruments apparently operated in much the same spiritual manner, and through them joseph received an undetermined number of visions in addition to the translation of the book of mormon. Revelations of the restoration, by joseph fielding mcconkie and craig ostler, pg. Visions in a seer stone 9781469655659, 9781469655673. The belief in seer stones was common in the culture of 19thcentury europe. Did the eleven witnesses actually see the gold plates. The seer stone is believed to have helped mormon church founder joseph smith translate a story that became the foundation of. Jonathan neville rejects david whitmers eyewitness testimony of joseph smiths translation of the book of mormon by means of a seer stone joseph placed into a hat. In the opinion of the writer, the prophet used no seer stone in translating the book of mormon, neither did he translate in the manner described by david. Oct 31, 2019 smith never repudiated folk traditions.
Biblical christianity was the overwhelming influence in the book of mormon and the doctrine and covenants. But did you know he also had a white seer stone that might have been. 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 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. Ive previously mentioned the testimonies of martin harris and emma smith that affirm whitmers. But david whitmer wasnt the only witness to the book of mormon translation by means of a seer stone. 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. Aug 04, 2015 mormons publish photos of seer stone used by joseph smith. Visions in a seer stone joseph smith and the making of the book of mormon by william l. 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.
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. There was no suggestion that joseph, oliver, or anyone else referred to the seer stone as 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 stone. Palmyra resident pomeroy tucker, who worked on the publication of the book of mormon, remembered that joseph smiths seer stone had a whitish, glassy appearance, though opaque, resembling quartz in his 1867 book. Seer stone associated with joseph smith, long side view photograph by welden c. Book of mormontranslationthe interpreters, seer stone. The problem with this translation is that it changes the g. Eight men, called the eight witnesses, saw and touched the plates. Jun 25, 2018 from the topics essay on, quietly published in 20. Not being discouraged at trifles, he again stooped down and strove to take the book, when the spirit struck him again, and knocked him three or four rods, and hurt him prodigiously. Printers manuscript of the book of mormon which included photos of the brown seer stone that joseph smith used in the translation process of the book of mormon. Did joseph smith use the same seer stone to translate the. Book of mormon and the seer stone latterday saint nana.
I saw the original manuscripts tooalmost zero editing. Book of mormon witnesses, seer stones, and a hat eve out. 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. Greyishivorycolored stone of irregular oval shape, approximately 5 cm. Joseph smith and his scribes wrote of two instruments used in translating the book of mormon. Priddy meeks claimed to have the ability to know a seer stone when he saw. Joseph smiths magic seer stonedefinition of seer stone. Elizabeth ann whitmer cowdery, witness to the translation of.
New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones book of. Palmyra resident pomeroy tucker, who worked on the publication of the book of mormon, remembered that joseph smith s seer stone had a whitish, glassy appearance, though opaque, resembling quartz in his 1867 book. One who sees visions, especially of a spiritual nature. 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. An article in the improvement era, a former publication of the lds church, denied joseph smiths use of seer stones, while simultaneously disparaging the reliability of the witnesses. Seer stones the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. On august 4th of 2015, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints released its latest volume of the joseph smith papers project, revelations and translations, volume 3. The statements of both of these men are to be explained by the eagerness of old age to call upon a fading and uncertain memory for the details of events which still. Palmyra resident pomeroy tucker, who worked on the publication of the book of mormon, remembered that joseph smiths seer stone had a whitish, glassy appearance, though opaque, resembling quartz in. Jan 27, 2006 former lds mormon on seers and seer stones ogden kraut, a former member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, authored a book called seers and 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. This is how book of mormon central explains the translation. Mormons have offered two explanations to harmonize josephs repeated, unqualified statement that he translated the book of mormon using the stone spectacles he found with the gold plates and the multiple testimonies from witnesses who observed joseph dictating the book of mormon with a seer stone in his hat. During the translation of the book of mormon, joseph smith apparently used both of these instruments. Roger nicholson, the spectacles, the stone, the hat, and the book. 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. Mormons react to firstever photograph of joseph smiths seer. 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. The seer stones by description sound like they were found in ordinary ways and by appearence are generally unremarkable stones. It certainly had an influence on his outlook, but it was peripheralnot central. I know a lot of people have complained church members have complained that we always. How many of you when you found out js used this stone to. Translating the book of mormon, proceedings of the 2011 fair conference august 2011. Another witness who left her testimony was elizabeth ann whitmer cowdery, davids sister and wife of oliver.
Everyone who read the book understood these were two competing explanations of the translation of the book of mormon. Cowdery served as scribe during the transcription of the book of mormon, and was one of the three witnesses to the golden plates. Mormons publish photos of seer stone used by joseph smith. All contemporary accounts referred to the interpreters moroni put in the stone box as the urim and thummim. Just came straight out of joesphs mouth to his scribes with no back tracking, no rewriting. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. 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. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets. Sep 22, 2017 i saw the original manuscripts tooalmost zero editing. 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. I will now give you a description of the manner in which the book of mormon was translated. Joseph used a special rock called a seer stone to translate the plates.
What i would like to share are just a few things that i havent seen published, which some may find quite fascinating, particularly concerning the surprising geological origins of this stone. Jul 29, 2019 everyone who read the book understood these were two competing explanations of the translation of the book of mormon. Besides, as anyone knows who has read the 1834 book mormonism unvailed, there was a clear difference between the urim and thummim and the seer or peep stones that everyone understood. Biographical sketches of joseph smith the prophet, 1853 that joseph said that all is lost is a pretty good summary of his predicament. As joseph smith told about the coming forth of the book of mormon he mentioned that he was able to find and later translate the book of mormon by what is termed a seer stone. You can read the testimonies of the witnesses at the beginning of the book of mormon.
Seer stone of joseph smith, handed down through private hands to the present day 1991. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates. Note 17 refers to the wilford woodruff account of seeing the urim and thummim in nauvoo, but woodruff never said he saw a seer stone. In the old testament there was something called the urim and thummim defined from the bible dictionary below. How many of you when you found out js used this stone to fraud people in treasure digging expeditions, and was also the seer stone for the book of mormon were like, oh, oh its all bullshit, the dude was a conman this was huge for me. Seer stones and meditation mormon open blog medium. According to witnesses of the translation, when joseph looked into the instruments, the wo. In dictating the book of mormon, smith said he used these. This book discusses the origins of joseph smiths seer stones and explores how joseph used them throughout his life in a way that goes beyond translating the book of mormon. An analysis of the lds church seer stone announcement. Printers manuscript of the book of mormon includes photos of a seer stone that joseph smith. There have been a flurry of articles over the last 2 12 years regarding the translation process of the book of mormon, and in particular the use of seer stones. Oliver cowdery was a thirdcousin of lucy mack smith, joseph smiths mother. It also traces the provenance of his stones once they left his possessions.
Apparently acquired by joseph smith in the 1820s before translating the book of mormon in susquehanna county, pennsylvania. A prophet is a spokesperson for god, whereas a seer is one who uses means divine instruments to reveal mysteries and secrets. A special stone used for seeing visions and aiding translation. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of mormon. The surprising geology of joseph smiths brown seer stone. While i may not agree with all of the authors views, the work gives note worthy attention to documented practices and traditions of prophets, seers, and revelators as found in. The instrument used to translate the gold plates can be defined in different ways. Dec, 2017 the youthful prophet received many visions through the medium of urim and thummimsometimes a seer stone and, more particularly, the nephite interpreters. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. And once joseph read what was on the seer stone out loud, the scribe wrote it and they were done the first time through.
All methods of seeing with objects required some method whereby normal vision was masked. An october 2015 ensign article is set to appear called joseph the seer which attempts to explain josephs practice of using a seer stone. Much can be known about the coming forth of the english text of the book of mormon through a careful study of. How joseph smith received visions through seer stones and the. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center. If the origins of the book of mormon are a single modern revelation by one man, derived with the assistance of a seerstone, thats a completely different kind of book than if it is a. A pastor who lived near cowdery, ethan smith, had written view of the hebrews, another work that has been posited as a source for the book of mormon. This tool had been buried in the hill cumorah with the plates. The youthful prophet received many visions through the medium of urim and thummimsometimes a seer stone and, more particularly, the nephite interpreters. Joseph smith used his seer stone in a hat to translate portions of the book of mormon. Elizabeth ann whitmer cowdery, witness to the translation.
Many years later, josephs mother claimed that she had felt them through a thin covering. Most adherents to the latter day saint movement view the book as a work of inspired scripture. Jan 09, 2020 in the opinion of the writer, the prophet used no seer stone in translating the book of mormon, neither did he translate in the manner described by david whitmer and martin harris. By 1833, joseph smith and his associates began using the biblical term urim and thummim to refer to any stones used to receive divine revelations, including both the nephite interpreters and the single seer stone. Neville believes that whitmers belief that joseph was a fallen prophet somehow discredits whitmers firsthand witness of the translation process. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Joseph smiths seer stone general discussions mormon. Michael quinns early mormonism and the magic world view.
The relationship between joseph smiths seer stone and the urim and thummim summary. In mormon doctrine, it says that the church still has his seer stone. Joseph smith used the nephite interpreters as well as his own seer stone both of which were later referred to as urim and thummim to translate the book of mormon. Historical prattle or competent testimony book of mormon. People wanted more information and wondered why they hadnt been aware of the stone s existence. Smiths did not mention his association earlier with a special stone located on a neighbors property in 1822.
This quote is quite extensive, but can be viewed here. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon youtube. The seer stone is believed to have helped mormon church founder joseph smith translate a. He saw in the box something like a toad, which soon assumed the appearance of a man, and struck him on the side of his head. There are some problems with her account, but again, even lucy did not claim that she actually saw the stone spectacles. 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. But did you know he also had a white seer stone that might have been even more important to him. 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. How joseph smith received visions through seer stones and. Even though the stone had been discussed in church magazines before, many mormons apparently. Book of mormon witnesses, seer stones, and a hat eve out of. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of. Mormons have offered two explanations to harmonize josephs repeated, unqualified statement that he translated the book of mormon using the stone spectacles he found with the gold plates and the multiple testimonies from witnesses who observed joseph dictating the.
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