The Scriptures Are Real S4 E5 The Real Translation Story: a Seer Translating the Book of Mormon from Gold Plates (D&C 3-5)
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Jan 26, 2025 Gerrit Dirkmaat, a BYU professor specializing in 19th-century American history and Latter-day Saint traditions, joins to delve into the fascinating story behind the translation of the Book of Mormon. They discuss Joseph Smith's use of the Urim and Thummim and seer stones, clarifying myths about the translation process. Dirkmaat highlights the significance of cultural context and explores the role of early church figures like Oliver Cowdery. Their insights reveal the miraculous nature of this sacred translation and challenge misconceptions surrounding it.
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Joseph's First Seer Stone
- Joseph Smith, while digging a well, discovered a stone.
- This stone later became his first seer stone, although its purpose was unknown at the time.
Seer Stones in the 19th Century
- In the 19th century, seer stones, or "peep stones," were a familiar concept.
- Joseph's contemporaries would likely have identified his discovered stone as such.
Seer Stones and the Miracle of Translation
- Early Latter-day Saints viewed Joseph's use of seer stones not as strange, but as part of the Book of Mormon's miraculous translation.
- The stones' ability to display words was seen as divine power.