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 character appeared upon parchment and under it the translation in english. 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. High priest david whitmer, one of the three witnesses to the book of mormon, an address to all believers in christ, p. Yes, joseph smith really did use a seer stone in the translation of. David whitmer, one of the three witnesses whose testimony appears at the front of the book of mormon. Martin harris tests joseph smiths claim of translating the. According to josephs contemporaries, he did this in order to better view the words on the stone. The seer stone display at the church history museum in salt lake city. 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. Using this stone, joseph developed his capacity as a seer, searching for buried treasure and lost items. This heavenly messenger is reported to have told him about gold plates that contained a.
This is the version without the secret message in it. It is said to be a silecious granite dark color almost black with light colored stripes some what resembling petrified poplar or cotton wood bark it was about the size but not the shape of a hens egg. The following is an excerpt taken from an interview between martin harris and edward stevenson. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon youtube. Joseph smith used both the nephite interpreters and his individual seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon. Aug 04, 2015 the seer stone is believed to have helped mormon church founder joseph smith translate a story that became the foundation of the religion. Seer stone in a hat book of mormon translation latterday. Jan 28, 2016 after completion of the book of mormon, joseph gave his brown seer stone to oliver cowdery, and he began to use this white seer stone again, specifically for translation of the papyrus that would become the book of abraham. 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. When joseph smith was given the responsibility to translate the book of mormon he used the urim and thummim.
Book of mormon and the seer stone latterday saint nana. What we will be looking at is the idea that this whole concept of the seer stone working. With the hill cumorah in the background, this painting depicts the youthful joseph finding his stone, prophesied in the book of mormon, i will prepare unto my servant gazelem. Dec 20, 2014 often your own scriptures can function the same as a seer stone, as you focus on a subject and the spirit guides your thoughts, vision can open and the voice of the lord can enter your mind.
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. Greyishivorycolored stone of irregular oval shape, approximately 5 cm. The founder of the lds church, joseph smith, claimed an angel named moroni visited him in. Seer stone in a hat book of mormon translation latter. Apr 04, 2008 there was also a seer stone found in a well. Sep 22, 2017 book of mormon and the seer stone by latterdaysaint nana on friday, september 22, 2017 the book of mormon is this fantastic volume of text, which inflates my soul every single time i pick it back up and read it. 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 ensign also implied that the seer stone was an antimormon lie. Jan 02, 2014 where and how did joseph smith receive the seer stone used in the translation of the book of mormon. The mode of procedure consisted in josephs placing the seer stone in the crown of a hat, then putting his face into the hat, so as to entirely cover his face, resting his elbows upon his knees, and then dictating word after word, while the scribes emma, john whitmer, o. Martin played a trick on joseph to prove whether he actually was translating golden plates or was not. Its simple enough to logically articulate why its wrong, yet trying to short circuit this reasoning in the mormon mind can be an insurmountable challenge.
In conjunction with the release of the printers manuscript project, the church posted an article about seership, seer stones, and their roles in translation and revelation. Some of the prophets of the nephites in the book of mormon are also mentioned as having seer stones. Seer stones and such earlier this month, the lds church published a version of the printers manuscript of the book of mormon. 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. 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. Rather, a different stone not found with the plates was used to facilitate this process. By latterdaysaint nana on friday, september 22, 2017. The text of the book of mormon calls these stones interpreters and explains. Trey parker and matt stone on the limits of comedy video south park creators trey parker and matt stone discuss how far they are willing to go to get a. The urim and thummim consist of two stones set in silver bows and sometimes used with a breastplate see doctrine and covenants 17.
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. People wanted more information and wondered why they hadnt been aware of the stone s existence. Why would joseph smith use the same stone for translating the book of mormon. So when do members hear the official head in hat with seer. The seer, by orson pratt and named after the prophet joseph smith, is a valuable book for several different reasons. The white seer stone was the one found on the property of mr.
Did you know joseph smith translated it in 65 days with the help of a couple of scribes. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of. The stone joseph smith used in the book of mormon translation effort was often referred to as a chocolatecolored stone with an oval shape. The fact that joseph smith used a seer stone in dictating the text of the book of mormon is something that has been known by mormon and nonmormon researchers and scholars for decades. An analysis of the lds church seer stone announcement.
Smith created the book of mormon by putting a seer stone into a hat, then putting his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light. He gave a brief description of them in joseph smith history 1. Book cover contains artists painting of josephs white seer stone. Dec 27, 2010 a seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon mormonism research ministry bill mckeever and eric johnson posted on 12272010 11. Third, orson never had any intention of publishing false doctrine.
The book of mormon is this fantastic volume of text, which inflates my soul every single time i pick it back up and read it. The book of mormon being true depends entirely on joseph smith being a true prophet, and faith in the lds church as the only true church rests on belief in the book of mormon. Last week i attended part of the 22nd international book of mormon. Book of mormontranslationthe interpreters, seer stone. Im only asking this because i was showing my wife the pictures that wiki wonka posted today on the other thread face in the hat translation and she asked me this exact question. Second, it is written by an apostle of jesus christ. President young exhibited the seer s stone with which the prophet joseph discovered the plates of the book of mormon, to the regents this evening. According to those familiar with the process, he dictated the book of mormon from words that somehow appeared in a seer stone or much the. However, after a fair and candid examination of the evidence, many thousands of honest mormons have discovered that this claim. Where and how did joseph smith receive the seer stone used. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon. In the hebrew language the words urim and thumim mean lights and perfections. If you want the one with the secret message, its available in this link smith created the book of mormon by putting a seer stone into a hat, then putting his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light.
After his assassination in 1844 this stone was acquired by philo dibble, who later exhibited the stone, death masks and other historical objects on lecture tours which he conducted in utah territory. Where and how did joseph smith receive the seer stone used in. Salt lake city the mormon churchs push toward transparency about its roots and beliefs took another step forward tuesday with the. Book of mormontranslationthe interpreters, seer stone, hat. The article is scheduled to be published in print in the.
Josephs real seer stone or sofa so good many will be aware of the news story coming out of salt lake city about joseph smiths seer stone pictured right, read more here conflicting accounts have come out over the years about how the founding prophet of mormonism translated his seminal work, the book of mormon. I think if anyone is wondering if they need a seer stone, they should simply ask the lord and if the answer is yes, wait for it to come to you. Joseph found his first brown seer stone by borrowing the green glass from sally chase in 1819. 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. What has overshadowed the news of this important publishing effort, however, is the fact that the book contains four fullcolor photographs of a chocolatecolored, striated stone that is purported to be the seer stone joseph smith used to receive the english words he used in dictating the book of mormon. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones book of. 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. 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. An insiders view of mormon origins by grant palmer.
Book of mormon witnesses, seer stones, and a hat eve out. The hat and seer stone was mentioned in a 1993 ensign, but never incorporated into official lesson manuals. Mormons publish photos of seer stone used by joseph smith. Brigham youngs journal, as quoted in latterday millennial star, 26. Apparently acquired by joseph smith in the 1820s before translating the book of mormon in susquehanna county, pennsylvania. In all of his writings and you need to read them in order to know for sure, which. The seer stone, faith, and miracles latterday saint women.
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. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon mormonism research ministry bill mckeever and eric johnson posted on 12272010 11. Every man who lived on the earth, joseph said to them, was entitled to a seer stone, and should have one, but they are kept from them in consequence of their wickedness, and most of those who do find one make evil use of it. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon.
Martin harris tests joseph smiths claim of translating. Martin harris tests joseph smith during the translation of the golden plates. The founder of the lds church, joseph smith, claimed an angel named moroni visited him in september of 1823. I will now give you a description of the manner in which the book of mormon was translated. People wanted more information and wondered why they hadnt been aware of the stones existence. High priest david whitmer, one of the three witnesses to the book of mormon, an. Image and description of the seer stone purchased in susquehannah county note. Its nice that the church historians office has published a picture of it, but we already knew about it and even knew what it looked like a small, smooth. 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. Aug 05, 2015 the white seer stone was the one found on the property of mr. Joseph smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat. But according to david whitmer, who was one of the three witnesses to 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 a piece of something resembling parchment would appear. May 08, 2020 according to them, joseph produced the book of mormon by reading words off a seer stone.
Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints believe that smith used seer stones to translate the book of mormon. Sep 16, 2010 david whitmer, one of the three witnesses whose testimony appears at the front of the book of mormon. Joseph 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. He described the prophet in degrading terms and explained the book of mormon as a deception growing out of the familys use of peep stones. 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. 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. These are two different items, and is still debated how much the seer stone was actually used in translation.
The church also does not talk about the method placing the seer stone into a hat, putting your face into the hat, reading off english as it appears from stone. Mormons react to firstever photograph of joseph smiths seer. The church shows joseph smiths seer stone for the first. The stone pictured here has long been associated with joseph smith and the book of mormon translation. Apr 22, 2016 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. 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. The seer stone, faith, and miracles latterday saint. Over the past thirty years, an enormous amount of research has been conducted into mormon originsjoseph smiths early life, the book of. Aug 17, 2015 seer stones and such earlier this month, the lds church published a version of the printers manuscript of the book of mormon. It also traces the provenance of his stones once they left his possession. It also traces the provenance of his stones once they left his possessions.
Seer stones, also called urim and thummim, in mormonism are instruments prepared by god to assist man in obtaining revelation and in translating languages. Did joseph smith use seer stones and a hat to translate. Joseph the seer the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The church shows joseph smiths seer stone for the first time. Seer stone of joseph smith, handed down through private hands to the present day 1991. We need to change the definition of the term translate. The practice of using stones or glass to receive divine revelation is found in many cultures, including among the ancient israelites and maya. According to the latest essay posted on, an introduction to this stone is. The seer stone is believed to have helped mormon church founder joseph smith translate a story that became the foundation of the religion. So, when do members hear the lesson that says js translated the bom by putting his head in a hat with seer stones. Miffed at the discovery and forcible discontinuance of his secret enterprise, cole sought to defame joseph smith and his work.
Included in the book are pictures of the seer stone that joseph used in addition to the urim and thummim in translating the golden plates. In addition, at the front of the book of mormon, in the section titled. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints released a 1,000 page, twovolume book containing the printers manuscript of the book of mormon. Salt lake city the mormon churchs push toward transparency about its roots and. Did others who used seer stones, put them in their hat. Thus the book of mormon was translated by the gift and power of god and not by the power of man address to all believers in christ, richmond, missouri, 1887, p. After completion of the book of mormon, joseph gave his brown seer stone to oliver cowdery, and he began to use this white seer stone again, specifically for translation of the papyrus that would become the book of abraham. Did joseph smith use seer stones and a hat to translate the. A piece of something resembling parchment would appear, and on that appeared the writing. He would later apply this gift to translate the book of mormon.
The white seer stone was the instrument used to discover the location of the plates in 1823. Second, the fact that joseph smith used a seer stone in dictating the text of the book of mormon is something that the dreaded antimormon critics as mormons insist on calling them have been saying for decades, but which the lds church has rarely mentioned and never explained until very recently. David whitmer said, regarding smiths translation of the book of mormon. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of mormon. It was sold at deseret books for several years and is still available there by special order. A book of mistakes, error, and fraud by jon gary williams introduction the mormon church promotes the book of mormon as an inspired writing. In order to translate the language contained on the plates a language called reformed egyptian, two stones in silver bows, called the urim and thummim, were included with the plates joseph. This heavenly messenger is reported to have told him about gold plates that contained. Five things to know about the seer stone meridian magazine yesterday the church of jesus christ of latterday saints released photographs of a seer stone that was apparently one that the prophet joseph smith used to aid him in translating the book of mormon. Jonathan neville the book of mormon in north america. A while back, someone posted an official primary lesson that talked about js translating the bom from gold plates. Eyewitness accounts state that this looks like a babys foot, wider on one side than the other. This green seer stone was apparently sold to joseph smith by jack belcher in the 1820s. Mormons publish photos of seer stone used by founder.
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