Seer stones 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. 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. 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. 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. Although the lds church is now at least talking about the seer stone, it is still far from addressing the issues adequately. 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. Yes, joseph smith really did use a seer stone in the. In this video, i will discuss how joseph smith got possession of this stone, how he used it, and how it came into the possession of the lds church.

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 ancient biblical texts and modern figures and prophets. This instrument was referred to in the book of mormon as the interpreters. 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. Seer stone associated with joseph smith, long side view photograph by. 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. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church believe that smith used seer stones to translate the book of mormon. Mormon church releases photos of seer stone used by founder. That was the time of completing the book of mormon, which was translated through the nephite interpreters and also josephs other seer stone s. The seer stone in particular seems like a curiosity that undermines mormon. Mormon scholars and leaders now concede that joseph used his seer stone to dictate at least a large part of the book of mormon. I will now give you a description of the manner in which the book of mormon was translated. In this case, with the book of mormon now a fixture on broadway. An analysis of the lds church seer stone announcement. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon.

He gave a brief description of them in joseph smith history 1. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones book. Some of the prophets of the nephites in the book of mormon are also mentioned as having seer stones. Joseph smiths seer stone revealeddan vogel youtube. This quote is quite extensive, but can be viewed here. 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. Mormons reveal seer stone for first time telegraph. Seer stones, salamanders, and early mormon folk magic in the light of folklore studies and bible scholarship author eric a. The seer stone is believed to have helped mormon church founder joseph smith translate a story that became the foundation of. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. An october 2015 ensign article is set to appear called joseph the seer which attempts to explain josephs practice of using a seer stone. Gardner earned a masters degree in anthropology and mesoamerican ethnohistory from the state university of new york at albany. 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.

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. 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. Did a magic world view influence the coming forth of the book of mormon. Seer stones and meditation mormon open blog medium. The need for the seer to look in the stone agrees with the book of mormon s description of how seer stones are used mosiah 8. Seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon youtube.

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. Analytical and contextual commentary on the book of mormon and the gift and power. 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. 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. Seer stones, salamanders, and early mormon folk magic in. Book of mormon witnesses, seer stones, and a hat eve out. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones book of. A prophet is a spokesperson for god, whereas a seer is one who uses means divine instruments to reveal mysteries and secrets. Joseph smiths seer stones religious studies center. It also traces the provenance of the seer stones once they leave his possession.

We discuss joseph smiths seer stones, gold plates, treasure digging, and problems with the official church narrative. The practice of using stones or glass to receive divine revelation is found in many cultures, including among the ancient israelites and maya. In fact, the whitmer cabin, where joseph dictates most of the book of mormon, is a haven for people with seer stones, which includes hiram page, laura hubble and the whitmers. When joseph smith was given the responsibility to translate the book of mormon he used the urim and thummim. Martin harris tests joseph smiths claim of translating. 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. 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. Rebroadcast joseph smiths folk magic and seer stones today we begin our first live broadcast of the mormon discussion podcast. Yea, we have hid up our treasures and they have slipped away from us, because of the curse of the land book of mormon, helaman. There are many book of mormon names found in this book that was published years prior to the publication of the book of. Oct 03, 2019 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. In this picture there is no sign of the socalled seer stones or the hat.

About that new seer stone video lds discussions blog. 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. Given that many local palmyra residents remember joseph with a white stone, and taking into consideration the fact that he gave his brown seer stone away to oliver cowdery, is it also possible that joseph translated the book of mormon with the white stone. After this, seer stones were generally not used while receiving revelation or translation. 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. Martin harris tests joseph smith during the translation of the golden plates. It also traces the provenance of his stones once they left his possessions. Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of.

Aug 04, 2015 mormons publish photos of seer stone used by joseph smith. According to most accounts, the seer stone was used during all stages of the translation of the book of mormon, both before and after the loss of the first 116 manuscript pages. In the context of the restored gospel, a seer stone is a stone through which a seer receives divine communication. New church video explains joseph smiths seer stones. Joseph smith used the term the urim and thummim to refer to the pair of seer stones, or interpreters, he obtained for translating the book of mormon as well as to other seer stones he used in a similar manner. 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. The annotated lds gospel topics essay on the book of mormon translation. Brigham young quoted joseph saying that he had five stones and that there was a seer stone for every person on earth. Mason allred and mark ashurstmcgee discuss historical accounts of the book of mormon translation process, including joseph smith using a seer stone and. Aug 08, 2015 this mental process is not magical, unusual or divine. Seer stones the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Seer stones ema egg amethyst rose quartz smokey quartz crystal box set brazilian crystals. Mormon studies as a discipline has struggled to make sense of seer stones too.

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. For instance, the volume contains stunning, neverbeforeseen photographs of a seer stone that joseph smith used in the translation of the book of mormon. For many years, many mormons have denied that joseph smith used a seer stone to translate the book of mormon. A typed copy was soon made of richardss recollection and dated may 25, 1907. The seer stone is believed to have helped mormon church founder joseph smith translate a. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon.

Joseph used a seer stone probably the white one in the translation of the book of abraham. 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. A somewhat perplexing reference to gazelem, the name of an individual using a stone prepared by god, is found in alma 37. 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. Yes, joseph smith really did use a seer stone in the translation of. 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. Apologists have long tried to normalize seer stones, because at the end of the day the idea of translating the book of mormon with a rock in a. What david whitmer said about the seer stone and hat, 1887.

The term urim and thummim is usually used by latter day saints members to refer to the interpreters mentioned in the book of mormon. Jensen, and mark ashurstmcgee, joseph the seer, ensign, oct. Between about 18281829, joseph used the brown stone to dictate the book of mormon. Jan 27, 2006 ogden kraut, a former member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, authored a book called seers and seer stones. Did joseph smith translate the book of mormon with the white seer stone.

Urim and thummim makes a great case for simply going back to the basics. 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. 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 current online article seems to leave room for both the seer stone and the urim and thummim within the story of the translation of the book of mormon. 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. Similarly, joseph smith used both the nephite interpreters and his individual seer stone in the translation of the book of mormon. Last week i attended part of the 22nd international book of mormon evidences conference hosted by the firm foundation.

Early in the spring of 1830, joseph gave oliver cowdery the seer stone used in translating the book of mormon. Joseph smiths use of seerstones in the revealing of the. 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 600 bc to ad 421. See more ideas about joseph smith, book of mormon and lds church.

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. 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. It also traces the provenance of his stones once they left his possession. Translating the book of mormon religious studies center.

Mormon church releases photos of seer stone used by. After the 116 pages were lost joseph translated the rest of the book of mormon with a stone, saints herald 19 1 aug. Jun 24, 2019 the belief in seer stones was common in the culture of 19thcentury europe and early america, and god enabled joseph to begin translating ancient records by such means. Michael quinns early mormonism and the magic world view. The mormon church for the first time is publishing photos of a small sacred stone it believes founder joseph smith used to help.

He said 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 then used the seer stone. They were led to believe that he used the urim and thummim, special instruments even mentioned in the old testament, to aid him in the translation. Seer stones, the temple and the urim and thummim mormon. 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 the story of the coming forth of the book of mormon, all of these oddsounding components play a part. Revelations of the restoration, by joseph fielding mcconkie and craig ostler, pg. Some of the quotes from mormons who owned seer stones, or talked about seer stones, or saw seer stones. The relationship between joseph smiths seer stone and the urim and thummim summary. 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. A seer stone and a hat translating 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. A second and closely related issue has to do with josephs use of the seer stone in dictating the translation of the gold plates as the book of mormon.

Did the church try to hide josephs use of a seer stone to. Aug 05, 2015 mormons reveal seer stone for first time members of the religion believe the eggshaped stone was used by the utahbased faiths founder, joseph smith, to write 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. Mormons reveal seer stone for first time members of the religion believe the eggshaped stone was used by the utahbased faiths founder, joseph smith, to write the book of mormon. Dec 08, 2012 in addition to josephs use of a seer stone in translation work with the book of mormon and the book of abraham, evidence suggests that several of the early revelations recorded in the doctrine and covenants may have come through this medium.

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. 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. Plus, it is a further testimony of the truthfulness of the book of mormon that a seer stone was used. Josephs wife emma and the men who were supporting and working with joseph when he produced the book of mormon gave numerous statements. Lds quotes about seer stones eve out of the garden. People wanted more information and wondered why they hadnt been aware of the stone s existence.

Examples of deliberate deception regarding the book of mormon. About that seer stone video june 26, 2019 on june 24th the lds church released a new short video on seer stones, which is a step forward in their attempt to be more honest about the book of mormon. A 21stcentury artistic representation of joseph smith. The surprising geology of joseph smiths brown seer stone. All methods of seeing with objects required some method whereby normal vision was masked. 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. 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. In the video seer stones and the translation of the book of mormon, mason allred interviews dr. Book of mormon translation, gospel topics, topics richard e. Mormons react to firstever photograph of joseph smiths seer. According to josephs contemporaries, he did this in order to better view the words on the stone. The seer stone was used, apparently for convenience, joseph often translated with the single seer stone rather than the two stones bound together to form the interpreters. Mormons publish photos of seer stone used by joseph smith.