Church approves 110 projects in 57 countries for covid19 relief lds living the first presidency of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints approved 110 projects in 57 countries to help combat the effects of covid19. Book of mormon translation, gospel topics, online at lds. The translation process of the book of mormon lds scripture. Book of mormontranslationthe interpreters, seer stone. Book of mormon translated with peep stone, seer stone. Firsthand accounts of the miraculous translation of the. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon youtube.
Seer stones the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Did joseph smith use the same seer stone to translate the. Where and how did joseph smith receive the seer stone used in. A twentyfirst century believers view of the book of mormon translation, interpreter. Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including joseph smith using a seer stone and. In the theology of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, translation refers to being physically changed by god from a mortal human being to an immortal human being. It was the book of mormon interpreters which were given to joseph with the plates. It was this stone that joseph used to translate the book of mormon.
This shiny, eggshaped stone, brown with streaks of white, was used by joseph smith to produce the book of mormon. 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. Apparently, the hat helped block out ambient room light and allowed joseph to more clearly see the illuminated words through the stone. Mark ashurstmcgee of the joseph smith papers project concerning the various historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process. In it, joseph is receiving revelation from god telling oliver he is blessed with a gift of a divining rod. Adams provided this rather colorful description of the book of mormon translation method. God often uses ordinary objects to accomplish extraordinary tasks, even miracles. From darkness unto light joseph smiths translation and publication of the book of mormon by michael hubbard mackay and gerrit j. Why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of mormon. When moroni took back the interpreters after the loss of the 116 manuscript pages, joseph completed the translation with one of his seer stones. Uchtdorf posted on his facebook page comparing the seer stone in the hat book of mormon translation to his iphone. Official lds magazine provides a detailed account of the. Where did the idea that the book of mormon was translated with a seer stone in a hat come from. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church believe that smith used seer stones to translate the book of mormon.
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. 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. The 2003 south park depiction of the book of mormon s translation process turns out to be more accurate than sanitized lds images of joseph smith poring over the golden plates. We have no record of the prophet having the urim and thummim after the organization of the church. As a young man during the 1820s, joseph smith, like others in his day, used a seer stone to look for lost objects and buried treasure. 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. Additional photos of the rock can be viewed on lds. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center. The translation and publication of the book of mormon.
Roger nicholson, the spectacles, the stone, the hat, and the book. The translation and publication of the book of mormon immediately preceded the organization of the church in the spring of 1830. The seer stone and finding god in nature lds earth. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones book of. Leonard, noted in a straightforward manner josephs acquisition of his seer stone and its use in the translation of the book of mormon.
Seer stones are mentioned in the book of mormon in the book of mosiah, where they are also called interpreters and described as being used by seers to translate and receive revelations. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints out of service. Joseph smith seer stonesrock in hat used for book of. For decades most latterday saints took the translation of the book of mormon in the way that the 2001 ensign magazine depicted it. The book of mormon came into the world through a series of miraculous events. If youre having trouble locating a page on churchofjesuschrist. In the bible, moses used a big stick to part the red sea, and jesus christ used mud to restore a blind mans.
The process of translating the reformed egyptian plates was simple though peculiar. Some view the book of mormon as a 19th century work, brought forth in the mind of joseph smith the prophet, which he had a right to do as a prophet of god, sort of like biblical midrash. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones book. Book of mormon translation the church of jesus christ of latter. Officials with the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. It was all done with the spectacles, the stone, the hat, and the book. Many of the essays address controversial issues from the churchs history. In the ces letter, i wrote that joseph smith used a rock in a hat for translating the book of mormon. Note the mention of the stone in the official childrens magazine, the friend available online at to help him with the translation, joseph found with the.
A twentyfirst century believers view of the book of mormon translation roger nicholson. It is very wellwritten and gives documented evidence proving how absurd it is to believe that joseph smith looked at a stone in a hat to translate the book of mormon. The gold plates and the translation of the book of mormon, josephsmithpapers. 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. Many mormons believe this is how joseph smith translated the book of mormon as he sat. We have been taught since the days of the prophet that the urim and thummim were returned with the plates to the angel. 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. Book of mormon translation lds church is true blog. Book of mormon 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. Fairmormon posted new book of mormon translation artwork showing joseph smiths face in a hat.
Last august, the church released the first ever photo of a stone long associated to be one of the seer stones used by joseph smith to translate the book of mormon. Guest speakers included lds true believers, fair apologist scott gordon as well as nontraditional believers like joanna brooks and john dehlin. For those who have somehow missed photos of it, it is a beautiful stone. According to the best sources available, he found the stone at a young age, while digging a well for a man named clark chase, near palmyra, new york. When joseph smith was entrusted with the golden plates, he was also given a set of nephite interpreters and a breastplate. She also took care of the domestic chores needed for the survival and comfort of those more actively involved in the translation. Joseph smith translating the book of mormon by looking at a seer stone in a hat. A person that has been translated is referred to as a translated being. The article is fairly brief and only superficially addresses the problem. 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. 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. How did emma smith help bring forth the book of mormon.
How did joseph smith translate the plates from which the book. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon. 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. Did joseph smith use a seer stone to translate the book of mormon. Mormon essays publishes links to the recent essays written by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, or the mormon church. Jul 20, 2018 where did the idea that the book of mormon was translated with a seer stone in a hat come from. The founder of the lds church, joseph smith, claimed an angel named moroni visited him in september of 1823. May 10, 2019 i just finished reading again the book, seer stone v. Did the church try to hide josephs use of a seer stone to. Joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon is his translation of an ancient book written on gold plates. Everyone needs to read and reread that exceptional book. 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. Jan 02, 2014 my research tells me that after the 116 pages were lost, the spectacles later referred to as the urim and thummim by the lds church were no longer used in the translation of the book of mormon.
Nelson admits to joseph smiths seer stone in hat on lds. Imagine the surprise of many mormons when a 2015 gospel topics essay admitted that the seer stone was used in the translation of the book of mormon. Translating the book of mormon, proceedings of the 2011 fair conference august 2011. One instrument, called in the book of mormon the interpreters, is better known to latterday saints today as the urim and thummim. Similarly, joseph smith used both the nephite interpreters and his individual seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon. Did joseph smith use the nephite plates to translate the book of mormon. By aid of the seer stone, sentences would appear and were read by the prophet and writtenand when finished he would say, written. Book of mormon translation response to mormonthink. Did joseph smith use the urim and thummim or nephite interpreters to translate. 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. Church resources book of mormon translation, gospel topics, topics.
Firsthand accounts of the miraculous translation of the book of mormon. He then lists 5 lds sources that he claims states that joseph translated the book of mormon with a hat. According to witnesses of the translation, when joseph looked into the instruments, the words of scripture appeared in english. The stone joseph smith used in the book of mormon translation effort was often referred to as a chocolatecolored stone with an oval shape. Brother hyrum smith said that he thought best that the information of the coming forth of the book of mormon be related by joseph himself to the elders present that all might know for themselves. Peterson wrote an excellent article in which he cites witnesses to the book of mormon translation process, giving modern readers insight into what eyewitnesses saw regarding how joseph smith translated the book of mormon. Martin harris assisted with the translation in the spring of 1828. For more on the translation of the book of mormon, see book of mormon translation at topics. Come follow me 2020 podcasts with rod meldrum book of. A somewhat perplexing reference to gazelem, the name of an individual using a stone prepared by god, is found in alma 37. The book of mormon is available in print in various sizes, bindings, and colors.
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. Aug 04, 2015 official lds magazine provides a detailed account of the translation of the book of mormon image credit. The book of mormon mentions interpreters, but not the urim and thummim. Joseph smith and his scribes wrote of two instruments used in translating the book of mormon. Yes, joseph smith really did use a seer stone in the. Why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of. Lds gospel topic essay, book of mormon translation the other instrument, which joseph smith discovered in the ground years before he retrieved the gold plates, was a small oval stone, or seer stone. Lawrence, who evidently looked in his own seer stone, asked smith.
Apparently for convenience, joseph often translated with the single seer stone rather than the two stones bound together to form the interpreters. Jensen, and mark ashurstmcgee, joseph the seer, ensign, october 2015, online at lds. 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 found the interpreters buried in the hill with the plates. Official lds magazine provides a detailed account of the translation of the book of mormon image credit. Martin harris also stated that the prophet translated a portion of the book of mormon, with the seer stone in his possession. The projects include providing food, hygiene products, personal protective equipment.
Edward stevenson reported that martin harris who served as josephs scribe between april and june of 1828 testified to him that the prophet possessed a seer stone, by which he was enabled to translate as well as from the urim and thummim, and for convenience he used the seer 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. Leave feedback the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Book of mormon translation joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon is his translation of an ancient book written on gold plates. His early work on the translation, with emma smith and martin harris serving as the main scribes, was lost in 1828. 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. Rather, a different stone not found with the plates was used to facilitate this process. 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. Officials with the church of jesus christ of latterday saints unveiled the photos at a news conference in salt lake city. Mormons believe joseph smith found gold plates engraved with.
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. Book of mormon translation, gospel topics, topics richard e. 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. Jan 09, 2020 joseph smiths chief scribe during the translation of the book of mormon, oliver cowdery, reported the following in 1831. Book of mormontranslationurim and thummim fairmormon. Fair book of mormon translation stone in a hat recovery. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon. She helped joseph smith retrieve the plates, participated in the translation as a scribe, and recorded her physical encounters with the covered plates. Jensen, and mark ashurstmcgee, joseph the seer, ensign, oct. Joseph smith translated an ancient text by the gift and power of god to produce the book of mormon. The stone pictured here has long been associated with joseph smith and the book of mormon translation.
Jul 23, 2018 new church video explains the significance of the gold plates and why we still need them today greyson gurley for latterday saints, the gold plates are immediately associated with the translation of the book of mormon, but when someone asks, what are the gold plates. The projects include providing food, hygiene products, personal protective equipment, cash, and other commodities to those in need. Emma smith was far more involved in the coming forth of the book of mormon than some people may realize. One 1976 book produced during this period, the story of the latterday saints, by james b. Fairmormon posted new book of mormon translation artwork showing joseph smith s face in a hat. As he grew to understand his prophetic calling, he learned he could use this stone for the higher purpose of translating scripture.
The lds church has recently published on its website, lds. While a select few did hear joseph refer to magical items, nobody ever saw a breastplate, spectacles, or ancient interpreter stones. Today, all or part of the book of mormon has been translated into 112 languages. The translation of the book of mormon was truly miraculous and was done by the gift and power of god. Mar 21, 2018 the church history department of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints has released a new video exploring joseph smiths use of seer stones in the translation process 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 israelites and maya.
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