Having looked at the historical sources for the Book of Mormon translation process, we have found that there is no good evidence for the idea that Joseph used a seer stone during the process. But, in the process, I kept coming across references to Joseph Smith using the Interpreters by putting them into a hat. This article evaluates those sources and draws conclusions about what they can and cannot tell us about the translation process.
Category: Joseph Smith
Translating The Book Of Mormon: The Interpreters
In this article, I evaluate the earliest primary counts describing the tool used by Joseph Smith to translate the Book of Mormon plates into English. To a one, all the firsthand, eyewitness accounts testify that Joseph used the Nephite Interpreters and say nothing about the seer stone. Further, I look at the history of the Interpreters and the ancient Sumerian words found throughout the Book of Mormon text that testify of its origin as an authentic ancient and historical text.
Translating The Book Of Mormon: The Seer Stone
The debate over how Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon continues to stir controversy. While many accept the theory that Smith used a seer stone, recent scholars challenge this, suggesting he used the Nephite interpreters instead. This article is the first of two that critically examines both perspectives, seeking to find the one with the strongest historical support. Here we critically evaluate the evidence that Joseph Smith used the seer stone to translate the Book of Mormon.
Why We Need The Book of Mormon Now
The article defends Christianity against atheist arguments, particularly Dr. Richard Carrier’s claims. I show that Carrier and atheists in general don’t understand the purpose of life.. And I show the necessity of The Book of Mormon as it restores lost truths, clears up contradictions from the Bible, and provides essential insights into God’s plan, offering a more complete understanding of Christian doctrine.
Adam Clarke vs. Joseph Smith’s Translation Of The Bible
In the last five years it has become extremely popular for people to say that part of Joseph Smith’s Translation of the Bible is copied form Adam Clarke’s biblical commentaries. This argument is ultimately based on the work of a single paper that emerged in 2020. In this article we examine the evidence for this argument and, using the excellent work of Dr. Kent P. Jackson, one of the foremost experts on the JST, prove that this theory is completely bogus.
Jesus Christ Is The Leader of His Church Today
The leader of the Church of Jesus Christ is the Lord Jesus Christ. He leads this church actively and directly. And this isn’t meant in some theoretical or technical sense. It is meant very literally. This is shown in this LDS Classic as President Heber J. Grant recalls a revelatory vision he had of the Lord Jesus Christ deciding to call him to the Apostleship.
The Constitution: No Friend of the Latter-day Saints
Recently, I was asked to give a talk in church about the ways that the Constitution aided in the Restoration. Though greatly expanded with additional quotes and pictures, this article is fundamentally the talk that I gave. By examining the breadth of early LDS history (form 1830 to roughly 1890), I provided evidence and argument that the Constitution of the United States did nothing to help the Restoration and that it was always on the side of those who brutalized, oppressed, and killed us. The reason the Restoration occurred, and has continued, was the power of Jesus Christ to protect the Saints from annihilation. No law of man gave us any aid. It was God alone who preserved and prospered us against all odds and it is He alone that continues to do so now.
The Great Blessings of A Modern Prophet
This article is a talk I was asked to give in church as our ward prepares for the coming General Conference. In it I talk about how the importance of the modern prophets, how they actively receive revelation from God for us right now, the blessings and truth to be gained by following the Prophets and Apostles, and exactly what so many in the world are so threatened by the existence of modern prophets. (Hint: It has to do with their money and power.) I end by sharing a tool that we can use to get the most out of General Conference and the talks of Prophets and Apostles. Come, brothers and sisters, let us listen to the Prophet’s voice and hear the Word of God!
What Can Men Do Against Such Reckless Hate?
I recently finished a rewatch of the Lord of the Rings. As always, I was struck by the drama and courage of Théoden and the Riders of Rohan as they made what seemed like a last stand against the overwhelming might of the armies of Saruman. Instead of surrender or retreat they trusted in the words of Gandalf the White and stood against evil no matter what the cost to them, even if it cost their lives. There is a great lesson for us to learn here about how we should live. Using examples from throughout the scriptures I discuss how we can stand against the reckless hate of the world we live in today.
The Human Side of the Book of Mormon
Why are there so many biblical quotations and allusions in the Book of Mormon? Why are there errors in the Book of Mormon’s grammar, spelling, and language? How did Joseph Smith translate the Book of Mormon? How did the Urim and Thummim work? How did the Seer Stone work? Why would Joseph need either in the first place? What impact did the knowledge and mind of Joseph Smith have on the Book of Mormon and its translation? Why would God choose an ignorant ploughboy from upstate New York to be His prophet when much more educated, enlightened, and respectable men existed? What does the answer to these questions say about the authenticity of the Book of Mormon?
Professor N.L. Nelson answers all these questions and more in this excellent essay and explains why the answers to those questions should only increase our faith in the Book of Mormon as Christian scripture.