Joseph Smith/Seer stones

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The relationship between Joseph Smith's seer stone and the Urim and Thummim

Summary: 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.

Jump to Subtopic:

• Joseph Smith's use of seer stones as a youth
• The "Urim and Thummim" used by Joseph Smith to translate the "gold plates"

Joseph Smith's use of seer stones as a youth

Summary: How did Joseph use his seer stone as a youth? Did he use it to look for treasure? Did he place it in his hat? Did he use it during the translation of the Book of Mormon?

The "Urim and Thummim" used by Joseph Smith to translate the "gold plates"

Jump to details:

• Question: Did Joseph Smith use the Nephite interpreters to translate? Or did he use his own seer stone?
• Question: What are the Nephite interpreters?
• Question: Did Joseph Smith use his own seer stone to translate the Book of Mormon?
• Question: Has the Church tried to hide Joseph's use of a seer stone?
• Gospel Topics: "Joseph placed either the interpreters or the seer stone in a hat"
• Question: Did Joseph ever place the Nephite interpreters ("Urim and Thummim") into his hat?
• Gospel Topics: "Joseph Smith and his associates often used the term 'Urim and Thummim' to refer to the single stone as well as the interpreters"
• Ensign (Jan. 2013): "He...referred to it using an Old Testament term, Urim and Thummim...He also sometimes applied the term to other stones he possessed"
• W.W. Phelps (1833): "through the aid of a pair of Interpreters, or spectacles—(known, perhaps, in ancient days as Teraphim, or Urim and Thummim)"
• Question: Which method of translation was more "believable": seer stone or Nephite interpreters?
• Question: What does the Church teach investigators and members regarding the method by which the Book of Mormon was produced?

Joseph Smith used the same "rock in hat" seer stone for translating that he used for "money digging"

Summary: Joseph was given a set of Nephite interpreters along with the gold plates from which the Book of Mormon was produced. In addition, Joseph already possessed and utilized several seer stones. Although Joseph began translating the Book of Mormon using the Nephite interpreters, he later switched to using one of his seer stones to complete the translation. Critics (typically those who reject Mormonism but still believe in God) reject the idea that God would approve the use of an instrument for translation that had previously been used for "money digging."

Statements regarding instruments used by Joseph Smith to translate or receive revelation

Summary: Statements related to the Nephite interpreters, seer stones and Urim and Thummim

Book of Mormon translation method source quotes

Summary: A listing of quotes from both friendly and hostile primary sources, by date, discussing the translation process

The seer stone and Nephite interpreters were "apparently interchangable"

Summary: Critics of the Church imply that the use of a seer stone to translate the Book of Mormon is less "believable" than the use of the Nephite interpreters.

Joseph Smith placed either the interpreters or the seer stone in a hat

Summary: We know that Joseph placed his own seer stone in his hat to block out the light. Did Joseph place the Nephite interpreters, commonly known today as the "Urim and Thummim," in his hat as well? There is evidence that he did.