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.
Tag: Spectacles
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.