Brigham young quoted joseph saying that he had five stones and that there was a seer stone for every person on earth. There are differing views on the origin of the book of mormon. 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. Eyewitness testimony confirms that joseph smith translated the book of mormon in the same manner that he once hunted for buried treasure. Why was a stone used as an aid in translating the book of. Joseph smith translating the book of mormon by looking at a seer stone. Review of joseph smiths seer stones religious studies. Book of mormon and the seer stone latterday saint nana. Not surprisingly, the origin of joseph smiths seer stones has been a topic that.
We discuss joseph smiths seer stones, gold plates, treasure digging, and problems with the official church narrative. Come look at our secret stone tell harry potter as part of its reluctant campaign to be more transparent about mormon teaching, the. Some people love to mock it and tell us how stupid joseph smith looks with his face stuck in his hat, day in and day out, while he translated the book of mormon. Joseph smith pictures of a smooth, brown, eggsized rock are shown in the printers manuscript of the book of mormon following a news conference tuesday, aug. Thankfully though, the church has published some recent articles further discussing the topic of joseph smith s use of seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon see joseph the seer. 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. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon 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. 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. Joseph used a seer stone probably the white one in the translation of the book of abraham. For instance, the volume contains stunning, neverbeforeseen photographs of a seer stone that joseph smith used in the translation of the book of mormon. Such was the advent, and such the popular reception of the book of mormon, and the church of the latter day saints founded thereon as its corner stone, at the place of their professed origin.
Yes, joseph smith really did use a seer stone in the. According to the court records in 1826 when he was brought to trial for his usage of the seer stones to try to find buried treasure he often knew all too well where these objects were located. Aug 04, 2015 mormons publish photos of seer stone used by joseph smith. This book discusses the origins of joseph smiths seer stones and explores. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon. During the translation of the book of mormon, joseph smith apparently used both of these instruments. Otherwise theres nothing new about the lds churchs publication of the printers manuscript for the book. It is clear that joseph smith was a prophet of god who used seer stones to bring forth the book of mormon and revelations through the power and gift of god. After the 116 pages were lost joseph translated the rest of the book of mormon with a stone, saints herald 19 1 aug. Phineas young, who had helped reunite oliver cowdery with the church in the late 1840s, obtained the stone from cowderys widow, and in turn gave it to his brother brigham young. Similarly, joseph smith used both the nephite interpreters and his individual seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon. There is a unique proof that the hopewell indian civilization of north america were in fact the nephites of the book of mormon, and it is found in a ubiquitous hopewell artifact.
Joseph smith translating the book of mormon by looking at a seer stone in a hat. 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. 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. The practice of using stones or glass to receive divine revelation is found in many cultures, including among the ancient israelites and maya. Amazingly, except for a few pages, the translation of the entire book of mormon as we have it todaya text which ended up as more than 500 pages in lengthtook place between april 7 and june 30, 1829. Mormon church releases photos of seer stone used by. Joseph smiths seer stones by michael hubbard mackay. My own testimony of the book of mormon doesnt rest on its origins, but on.
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 stone s, has been clearly delineated by latterday saint historians. In the video seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon, mason allred interviews dr. Mormons react to firstever photograph of joseph smiths seer. A prophet is a spokesperson for god, whereas a seer is one who uses means divine instruments to reveal mysteries and secrets. Joseph smith uses the seer stones to do some translatin. This quote is quite extensive, but can be viewed here. Revelations of the restoration, by joseph fielding mcconkie and craig ostler, pg. Pomeroy tuckers 1867 origin of mormonism, part 1 of 3. When the church released photos of the brown seer stone that was owned. Our recent book, joseph smiths seer stones, attempts to trace the history of the stones and explore the role of seer stones in joseph smiths restoration theology. Book of mormon translation joseph smith claimed that the book of mormon is his translation of an ancient book written on gold plates. According to josephs contemporaries, he did this in order to better view the words on the stone. Many prophets have used seer stones throughout history.
Harris said that smith possessed a seer stone, described by roberts as a chocolatecolored, somewhat eggshaped. I wrote with my own pen the entire book of mormon save a few pages as it fell. 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. After this, seer stones were generally not used while receiving revelation or translation. About a year ago, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints released a picture of joseph smiths seer stone, the same stone that smith used in the translation process of the book of mormon. Finally, this book explores how joseph smith took his own experiences with seer stones and created a theology of seer stones that became closely linked with his unique doctrines of exaltation.
Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones book of. There was no suggestion that joseph, oliver, or anyone else referred to the seer stone as the urim and thummim. 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. Joseph smith dictated the book of mormon using the same seer stone he had previously used for years in hunting for buried treasure.
Mormon studies as a discipline has struggled to make sense of seer stones too. 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. To go along with this, an article was published in the october 2015 ensign 1 that gave a brief overview of seers, seer stones, and the translation of the book of mormon, and. It also traces the provenance of the seer stones once they leave his possession.
This information will not be made available by the church nor by most of its well meaning but unknowing members and missionaries. But we are talking about the creation of a book which claims that your treasure can become slippery. Lds books joseph smith crystal magic book of mormon rocks and minerals stones and crystals will smith this or that questions look. The 2015 publication of an ensign article on, and especially photos of, one of joseph smiths seer stones still owned by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints caused quite a sensation in the blogosphere. 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. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of. The bible also contains examples of physical objects, including seer stones, being used for spiritual purposes.
The mormon church for the first time is publishing photos of a small sacred stone it believes founder joseph smith used to help. South parks infamous episode on the satirical portrayal of the prophet and founder of the church of jesus christ of latterday. Miraculous origins theories generally accept joseph smiths own account, that he translated an ancient record compiled and abridged by mormon, a precolumbian resident of the western hemisphere. Mormon authors claim that the description of olive horticulture in jacob 5 is too specific and detailed for smith to have learned on his own in early 19th century new england, so they assert it is evidence that smiths story of the book of mormon s divine origin is true. Roberts quotes martin harris, one of the three witnesses whose name is found in every edition of the book of mormon since its original edition. What could be the reason for leaving these items out of a publicity painting except to distance the translation from the ocultic practices that really characterized the book of mormon translation. The annotated lds gospel topics essay on the book of mormon translation. Sep 22, 2017 for me, the book of mormon is an anchor for direction, understanding, peace, confidence, and a sense of wellbeing. 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.
This article discusses what the lds church has admitted on this issue and explains why it matters. The authors also examine how the book of mormon itself provides a storyline about the history of seer stones, which also helped joseph smith learn about his own prophetic gifts. Aug 10, 2015 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. 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. Instead, they delve seriously and responsibly into interpretive questions regarding the text of the book of mormon about what might be said regarding seer stones that appear in the text, about what relationship those stones might bear to joseph smiths stones, and about what certain passages in the text might imply about the very nature. This book discusses the origins of joseph smiths seer stones and explores how joseph used them throughout his life in a when the church released photos of the brown seer stone that was owned and used by joseph smith, the news ignited a firestorm of curiosity and controversy. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church believe that smith used seer stones to translate the book of mormon. Joseph smith also used his seer stone to seek buried treasure, and. 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 05, 2015 for this purpose, he had the help of special seer stones called the urim and thummim, which were buried along with the plates.
It also traces the provenance of his stones once they left his possession. If the origins of the book of mormon are a single modern revelation by one man, derived with the assistance of a seer stone, thats a completely different kind of book than if it is a. Michael quinns early mormonism and the magic world view. One mormon scholar points out that there are other texts that are available only in translation but that scholars agree are ancient.
An analysis of the lds church seer stone announcement. Did a magic world view influence the coming forth of the book of mormon. Examples of deliberate deception regarding the book of mormon translation process and seer stones scholarship i created this presentation to respond to claims made by david saints unscripted who postulated that church leaders have never tried to intentionally deceive members with respect to the seer stone. David whitmers first seer stone was likely obtained from a native american burial site in western new york. The origins of moromism start with a conman conning people out of money by using magical seer stones to find their lost. Seer stones the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. An october 2015 ensign article is set to appear called joseph the seer which attempts to explain josephs practice of using a seer stone. Everyone who read the book understood these were two competing explanations of the translation of the book of mormon. Seer stones, salamanders, and early mormon folk magic in. Did the church try to hide josephs use of a seer stone to. The book has since gone through many editions in the different languages of the civilized world. The 2003 south park depiction of the book of mormons translation process. 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. It discusses the origins of joseph smiths seer stones and explores how joseph used them throughout his life in a way that goes beyond the book of mormon translation.
Early mormon pioneer and prairie doctor, priddy meeks, recounts a conversation between himself and hyrum smith had in nauvoo. Mormons react to firstever photograph of joseph smiths seer stone. The book of mormon claims to be a translation of an ancient text, the original language version of which is not available. Although the lds church is now at least talking about the seer stone, it is still far from addressing the issues adequately. For example, mackay traces in the book the use of seer stones throughout the book of mormon and shows that both mosiah ii and the brother of jared used seer stones. The mormon church is for the first time publishing photos of the stone it believes. Nov 21, 2016 in september 2015, photographs of one of joseph smiths seer stones were published in the joseph smith papers. 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. Eliason the 2015 publication of an ensign article on, and especially photos of, one of joseph smiths seer stones still owned by the church of jesus christ of latterday saints caused quite a sensation in the blogosphere.
The seer stone is believed to have helped mormon church founder joseph smith translate a story that became the foundation of. 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. The particular seer stone used to translate text that would become the book of mormon was found in 1819 after joseph smith borrowed a seer stone from a friend to find another whitish seer stone in an iron kettle 25 feet underground. The surprising geology of joseph smiths brown seer stone. Three early critics set the agenda for the first sustained criticisms of the book. Seer stones, salamanders, and early mormon folk magic in the. The stones gave him the help he needed, so the story goes, and the resulting translation was eventually published as the book of mormon. Seer stones, salamanders, and early mormon folk magic in the light of folklore studies and bible scholarship author eric a. A somewhat perplexing reference to gazelem, the name of an individual using a stone prepared by god, is found in alma 37.
It seems that david whitmer himself had two seer stones along with jacob whitmer, who was one of the eight witnesses of the book of mormon. 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. It teaches me about a savior who is alive, active and who cares about me. Additionally, we at book of mormon central have published a number of knowhy articles on the same topic, including. It was hard enough to produce the book of mormon but lets see someone else produce a long, complex, powerful book like the book of mormon with their face in a hat. What the mormon churchs seer stone photos tell us about.
Joseph actually was the defendant in a court case in 1826 in regards to the expedition with stowell in late 1825. Yes, joseph smith really did use a seer stone in the translation of. Jul 29, 2019 elsewhere in the book the authors distinguish between the peep stone and the spectacles. Due to the prominence of the urim and thummim in the narrative of church history, turley conceded that many members might be surprised to learn that joseph often used a seer stone during the.
Sep 26, 2016 it examines the role of seer stones in the early church, the origins of joseph smiths seer stones, the use of seer stones in translating the book of mormon, the chain of custody of the stones from joseph smith to the present, and the depiction of the use of seerstones and seerstonelike objects in the book of mormon itself. It also traces the provenance of his stones once they left his possessions. Nov 30, 2017 origins of the book of mormon and mormonism ge explains mormonism. Joseph actually was the defendant in a court case in 1826 in regards to the.
Plus, it is a further testimony of the truthfulness of the book of mormon that a seer stone was used. 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. Some of the quotes from mormons who owned seer stones, or talked about seer stones, or saw 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. Our organization, the institute for religious research, has had an article about joseph using the seer stone to dictate the book of mormon on its website since 1999. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones. In this picture there is no sign of the socalled seer stones or the hat.
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. Aug 04, 2015 a picture of a smooth, brown, eggsized rock is shown in the printers manuscript of the book of mormon. Examples of deliberate deception regarding the book of. I am not aware of any credible modern reports of treasure. Early in the spring of 1830, joseph gave oliver cowdery the seer stone used in translating the book of mormon.
By 1826, js had at least two seer stones, and according to brigham young he eventually had five seer stones. Seer stones were a common thing in the early 1800s. Last week i attended part of the 22nd international book of mormon. Joseph smiths seer stones religious studies center. This book and its excellent research should be read by anyone wishing to understand, investigate and contextualise the gold plates, peep stones and early doctrine of the mormons.
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