Perhaps this allowed the seer, and those who saw the seer. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with the urim and thummim, not by a seer stone in a hat. 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 is a comprehensive yearbyyear examination of the life of joseph smith. Revelations of the restoration, by joseph fielding mcconkie and craig ostler, pg. Starting in 20, the church has provided a more accurate version of how the seer stone was used. The practice of using stones or glass to receive divine revelation is found in many cultures, including among the ancient israelites and maya. For an examination regarding how joseph smith possibly translated the book of mormon, see royal skousen, translating the book of mormon. The mormon church for the first time is publishing photos of a small sacred stone it. How did joseph smith translate the plates from which the.
Book of mormon translation on trial and the producer or executive producer of seven documentary films. That is, accepting the translation of the book of mormon as joseph said it was done, as opposed to how others claim it was done. Second, it is written by an apostle of jesus christ. Jun 24, 2014 for an examination regarding how joseph smith possibly translated the book of mormon, see royal skousen, translating the book of mormon. The mormon church for the first time is publishing photos of a small sacred stone it believes founder joseph smith used to help. William stafford also had a seer stone, and joshua stafford had a peepstone which looked. William stafford also had a seer stone, and joshua stafford had a peepstone which looked like. 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. In the story of the coming forth of the book of mormon, all of these oddsounding components play a part. Early in the spring of 1830, joseph gave oliver cowdery the seer stone used in translating the book of mormon. The book of mormon contains a prophecy attributed to joseph of egypt declaring that one of his descendants. This quote is quite extensive, but can be viewed here. A prophet is a spokesperson for god, whereas a seer is one who uses means divine instruments to reveal mysteries and secrets.
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. Jul 01, 2019 5 did joseph smith know the geography of the book of mormon. Mormons publish photos of seer stone used by joseph smith. The seer was an official periodical of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church which first appeared in 1853 and was published throughout 1854. Similarly, joseph smith used both the nephite interpreters and his individual seer stone in the 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. In fact you can download it on your phone as an app. Book of mormon and the seer stone latterday saint nana. For me, the book of mormon is an anchor for direction, understanding, peace, confidence, and a sense of wellbeing. Most every chapter offers new perspectives or additional information that cannot be found in other published works about the prophets life. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center. Rebroadcast joseph smiths folk magic and seer stones today we begin our first live broadcast of the mormon discussion podcast. The wisdom of joseph smith mormon book by cannon new. Michael quinn, early mormonism and the magic world view salt lake city. Other sources corroborate josephs changing translation instruments. Behold, i am sure of the fulfilling of this promise. 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.
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. A seer stone and a hat translating the book of mormon. Items in the bmc archive are made publicly available for noncommercial, private use. It is well researched and very enlightening and a must read for those who are willing to accept the word. It was the book of mormon interpreters which were given to joseph with the plates. Nephi remarks that lehis prophesies concerning the posterity of joseph are great, and apply to the lehis family. The book of mormon teaches that a seer is greater than a prophet, because a seer is a revelator and a prophet also. Get the latest updates on book of mormon topics and research for. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 1997. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with the urim. He used both devices to produce the record, which is called the book of mormon.
William stafford also had a seer stone, and joshua stafford had a peepstone which looked like white marble and had a hole through the center. Joseph smith the man and the seer mormon book of 1979. 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. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon youtube. The seer, by orson pratt and named after the prophet joseph smith, is a valuable book for several different reasons. Although the two terms are often coupled, there is a scriptural difference between a prophet and a seer. Book of mormon 2020 mosiah 710 while king mosiahs people were enjoying continual peace in zarahemla, their thoughts turned to another group of nephites, who many years before had left to dwell in the land of lehinephi. Inclusion within the bmc archive does not imply endorsement. Book of mormon lessons archives teaching children the gospel. 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. The practice of using stones or glass to receive divine revelation is found in many cultures, including among the ancient. In 1820 a boy went into the woods to pray where he saw god and jesus. This page is dedicated news and updates on michael hubbard mackay and nicholas j. Jul 20, 2018 these modern scholars claim that joseph smith used a brown seer stone he found in a well to translate the book of mormon.
Apr 14, 2017 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. In addition to using the interpreters, according to martin harris, joseph also used one of his seer stones for convenience during the book of mormon translation. Between 1827 and 1830, joseph smith transcribed the book of mormon from ancient golden plates, translating their ancient egyptian language into. Nephite seers and todays seers book of mormon evidence. When moroni took back the interpreters after the loss of the 116 manuscript pages, joseph completed the translation with one of his seer stones. 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. Apr 26, 2016 although the two terms are often coupled, there is a scriptural difference between a prophet and a seer. Generations had passed, and mosiahs people had heard nothing from them. The lords words will hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, 2 ne. 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. 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. When joseph smith received the golden plates in 1827, he also received a translation instrument with them, two stones in silver bows used by seers in ancient or former times joseph smith.
The seer stone is believed to have helped mormon church founder joseph smith translate a story that became the foundation of the religion. She is the founder of joseph smiths legacy and the producer or director of six documentary films. Mormon church releases photos of seer stone used by founder. The church continues to imply and express dualmethods for translation of the book of mormon urim and thummim or the brown seer stone which is inaccurate. Bushman, joseph smith and the beginnings of mormonism. Urim and thummim makes a great case for simply going back to the basics. How did joseph smith translate the plates from which the book.
Joseph smith foundation director, author, film producer, speaker l. Did the church try to hide josephs use of a seer stone to. In addition to directing joseph smith foundation projects for over a decade, she is often invited to speak on various radio and video programs. Seer in encyclopedia of mormonism, edited by daniel h. Why did joseph smith attempt to secure the book of mormon. Divide into three groups and give each group one of the scriptures below to read or read or watch the illustrated book of mormon stories enos, alma the younger, antinephi, lehies. Prophet, seer, and revelator is an ecclesiastical title used in the latter day saint movement. The lord covenanted with enos to bring forth the book of mormon to the lamanites, enos 1. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. 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. Each chapter is by scholars who are experts on joseph smith.
A somewhat perplexing reference to gazelem, the name of an individual using a stone prepared by god, is found in alma 37. All methods of seeing with objects required some method whereby normal vision was masked. 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 book of mormon is silent on the urim and thummim. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church is the largest denomination of the movement, and it currently applies the terms to the members of the first presidency and the quorum of the twelve apostles. Smith also had in his possession a brown seer stone. 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.
The book of mormon and the bible will grow together, 2 ne. 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. She is the founder of joseph smiths legacy and the producer or director of six. It could be said that the book of mormon is largely an account of people who changed because of the atonement of jesus christ. Each chapter focuses on one year from 1830 to 1844, providing an overview of key events of that year and discussing a key doctrine or historical. After the lds church publicly acknowledged that it was teaching and practicing. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of. I will prepare unto my servant gazelem, a stone, which shall shine forth in darkness unto light. We will engage the topic of joseph smiths treasure digging and welcome live call ins to the show and discuss the messy issue of joseph smiths treasure hunting and use of seer stones. Until the book of mormon thrust young smith into prominence, palmyras most notable seer was sally chase, who used a greenishcolored stone. The spectacles or interpreters, anthony sweat a seer is greater than a prophet.
Here is the source and quote directly from the church essay. The purpose for securing and selling a of the book of mormon in canadarather than the a subtle but important legal distinctionwas to ensure that if the book were to be republished outside the united states, joseph smith, as the legally designated author and proprietor,4 would retain the legal intellectual. This book offers in print the transcripts of those lectures, which were published in an audio cd collection titled joseph smiths prophetic ministry. 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. In fact, the seer stone was disconcerting even though it seemed to have parallels to other stories in the scriptures, such as the words that appears to lehi on the liahona or the words that appeared to belshazzar in the temple or even the seer stones that mosiah ii used to translate the twentyfour gold plates within the book of mormon. Items do not represent the official views of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints or of book of mormon central. 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. Aug 10, 2015 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. Joseph smith said that in 1827 he was led by an angel to dig up golden plates containing a record of ancient inhabitants of the american continent, along with spectacles, or interpreters, that the lord had prepared to translate the record. I welcome feedback if you come across any errors or important omissions. By the time joseph smith finished dictating his translation of the book of mormon to scribes in mid1829, the meaning of seer had been further clarified in the text. This instrument was referred to in the book of mormon as the interpreters.
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