The other day I was reading from the Wentworth Letter, when I read a quote by Joseph Smith saying, “With the records was found a curious instrument'”
I immediately thought, “Yes, that unique pair of spectacles attached to a breastplate is very curious.” I didn’t think, wow, that rock and a hat was curious. That didn’t even cross my mind. I thought how strange to think the translation with a stone found in a well by Joseph many years earlier, being put in a so-called top-hat, was not curious, it was strange to me.
With my love of Joseph Smith and the Lord’s method of translation, that word of “curious” hit me in a way I hadn’t realized before. I sat back and pondered that word for a minute, and almost immediately recalled in my mind time and time again, where I had heard that word in the scriptures. As I began looking up quotes about the word “curious“, I found an outstanding reason to write a blog about that word. What is the Lord telling us in scripture, when He attaches the word “Curious” as an adjective to other words?
The word “Curious” also invoked words like, unusual, unique, not ordinary, special and then I decided to hear what the dictionary said about this word. Here is what Merriam said:
Merriam-Webster
Different from the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion
Synonyms for curious
- bizarre,
- bizarro,
- cranky,
- crazy,
- eccentric,
- erratic,
- far-out,
- funky,
- funny,
- kinky,
- kooky
- (also kookie),
- odd,
- off-kilter,
- off-the-wall,
- offbeat,
- out-of-the-way,
- outlandish,
outré,- peculiar,
- quaint,
- queer,
- queerish,
- quirky,
- remarkable,
- rum
- [chiefly British],
- screwy,
- spaced-out,
- strange,
- wacky
- (also whacky),
- way-out,
- weird,
- weirdo,
- wild
After I read these words,(some of them were strange), I continued reading, and read in Merriam the following words or sentences that hit me much deeper and even in a more spiritual sense.
Words such as:
made carefully.
abstruse.
precisely accurate.
done with painstaking accuracy or attention to detail:
a curious inquiry.
careful;
fastidious.
marked by intricacy or subtlety.
Curious used in Scripture
I found the word curious associated with some very important Prophets and items such as the following.
1-Interpreters/Urim & Thummim Joseph Smith
2-Timbers/Ship Nephi
3-Liahona/Directors Lehi
4-Man/Ship Hagoth
5-Tools/Weapons Ether
That simple word, curious, began taking on a unique meaning in my mind, as I realized whenever the Lord used that word, it seemed to be associated with the scripture I found in Alma 37, which says by small means He shows marvelous works.
Small Means/Marvelous Works
41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were , and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;
45 And now I say, is there not a in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise. Alma 37:41, 45
Now I understood how simple the way of the Lord can be, especially with “an instrument” or a “small means” to assist me on my journey. This led me to a quote I remembered by Elder Oaks that helped me understand the Lord is constantly using small things to inspire us greatly, especially when we need personal revelation from Heaven.
Use of Tangible Objects
“It should be recognized that such tools as the Urim and Thummim, the Liahona, seer stones, and other articles have been used appropriately in biblical, Book of Mormon, and modern times by those who have the gift and authority to obtain revelation from God in connection with their use. At the same time, scriptural accounts and personal experience show that unauthorized though perhaps well-meaning persons have made inappropriate use of tangible objects while seeking or claiming to receive spiritual guidance. Those who define folk magic to include any use of tangible objects to aid in obtaining spiritual guidance confound the real with the counterfeit. They mislead themselves and their readers.” Elder Dallin H. Oaks From a talk given at Brigham Young University, 6 August 1987.
I thought of the sentence above of “inappropriate use of tangible objects” and thought of many examples.
My train of thought continued as I remembered the very special way I remembered Pres Kimball had once described these so-called “Curious” items such as the Urim and Thummim. So, I added his quote to my blog below.
“We are awed by the perspicacity and discernment of the scientists, whose accumulated knowledge is great, but there is still greater knowledge; there are more perfect instruments; there is much more to learn. Most of us can but imagine how the great truths have been transmitted through the ages. Exactly how this precious instrument, the Urim and Thummim, operates we can only surmise, but it seems to be infinitely superior to any mechanism ever dreamed of yet by researchers. It would seem to be a receiving set, or instrument. For a set to receive pictures and programs, there must be a broadcasting set. The scripture above quoted indicates that the abode of God is a master Urim and Thummim, and the synchronization of transmitting and receiving apparatus of this kind can have no limitation.”
“In a short period man has so improved his communication techniques as to hear voices around the world. A few years ago, even with earphones, we could decode only part of the static over the newborn radio. Our first television pictures were very local and very amateurish. Today, we see in our homes a fight in Madison Square Garden, a football game in the Cotton Bowl, the Tabernacle Choir in Chicago, an astronaut on his way to the moon. Is it hard to believe that with such accomplishments by puny man Omnipotent God has precision instruments with which to enlarge the knowledge of those who have the skill to use them? [May I add the word Curious here?]. Is it difficult to believe that the Urim and Thummim could be such a precision instrument to transmit messages from God to his supreme creation — man? Can God have limitations? Can atmosphere or distance or space hold back his pictures? Would it be so difficult for Moses or Enoch or Abraham or Joseph to see a colorful, accurate, moving picture of all things past and present, and even future? The Creator said to Moses, “ . . . look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end.” (Moses 1:4.) (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, Pg.52-53)
“From all the evidence in the Book of Mormon, augmented by the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith, these final battles took place in the territory known as the United States and in the neighborhood of the Great Lakes and hills of Western New York. And here Moroni found the resting place for the sacred instruments which had been committed to his care.” Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation Vol. 3 Ch. 12
This quote above by Elder Smith also gave me a huge sense of truth in my heart, that the special Curious Instruments Joseph saw in the stone box with the plates, was indeed a gift from heaven as the ONLY way Joseph would have translated the Book of Mormon. Why else would the Lord include those Interpreters with the plates, and then later just have Joseph use a silly rock in a hat? There is no scripture anywhere to say Joseph used anything but this curious instrument to translate the Book of Mormon.
Especially today, I feel the Lord is sending new information to this world to help rescue us. I think of a quote that validates this in the D&C. “What shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to the from pouring down from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.” D&C 121:33
We Latter-day Saints are having knowledge and new information poured down from heaven constantly. New science with Dean Sessions, amazing geography, DNA, and Promised Land information from Rod Meldrum, relevant North America artifacts from Wayne May, special understanding of higher laws from Hannah Stoddard, and I could go on and on. We are being blessed with new ammunition to counter the evils of Satan.
In my personal opinion, we need that help from the Lord today, as our government is more evil than it has ever been. I don’t trust the CIA, FBI, CDC, NATO, UN, Big Pharma, Hollywood, Fake Vaccines, and much more. The Lord is with us, that is why this new knowledge is being poured down to the earth. Victory from this evil Deep State is soon at hand.
Ever since the beginning of time with Adam and Noah all the way to the discovery of America, the Lord has given us dreams and visions and amazing instruments to help us in these last days. That made me think of an amazing quote by Pres Monson below.
Discover Marvelous Instruments
“Our Heavenly Father inspired Christopher Columbus in his discovery of America. Our Heavenly Father inspired the leaders of the renaissance period. Our Heavenly Father inspired men and caused that they would dream dreams and see visions and discover marvelous instruments and inventions which would enable them to set forth upon the oceans and to be led to the place where our Father in Heaven would have them led. Our Heavenly Father inspired the man who invented movable type, that His holy word, as found in the Bible, could be printed and disseminated widely to the people. Our Heavenly Father inspired the leaders of . . . the United States of America, that they might together, under His direction, having been raised up by God for the purpose, establish the Constitution of this country and . . . Bill of Rights, that . . . by the year of our Lord 1805 [there would be] a climate where our Heavenly Father could send into this period of mortality a choice spirit who would be known as Joseph Smith, Jr. His life’s mission would alter the course of all future events. Thus, came Joseph into the world.” Teachings of Thomas S Monson 2011 (Twenty-First Annual Joseph Smith Memorial Sermon, December 11, 1963)
SORRY: Now with all that background information, let me get to the point of this amazing word I seemingly just discovered, “Curious.” I apologize for how long winded I am, but this took no time at all to write as the feelings kept flowing so quickly. Bearing with me, I will share with you the places in the scriptures that talk so beautifully about, “Curious Instruments.”
A Curious Instrument
I was also informed concerning the aboriginal inhabitants of this country [America] and shown who they were, and from whence they came; a brief sketch of their origin, progress, civilization, laws, governments, of their righteousness and iniquity, and the blessings of God being finally withdrawn from them as a people, was [also] made known unto me; I was also told where were deposited some plates on which were engraven an abridgment of the records of the ancient prophets that had existed on this continent. The angel appeared to me three times the same night and unfolded the same things. After having received many visits from the angels of God, unfolding the majesty and glory of the events that should transpire in the last days, on the morning of the 22nd of September, A.D. 1827, the angel of the Lord delivered the records into my hands.
These records were engraven on plates which had the appearance of gold. Each plate was six inches wide and eight inches long, and not quite so thick as common tin. They were filled with engravings, in Egyptian characters, and bound together in a volume as the leaves of a book, with three rings running through the whole.
The volume was something near six inches in thickness, a part of which was sealed. The characters on the unsealed part were small, and beautifully engraved. The whole book exhibited many marks of antiquity in its construction and much skill in the art of engraving. With the records was found a curious instrument, which the ancients called “Urim and Thummim,” which consisted of two transparent stones set in the rims of a bow fastened to a breastplate. Through the medium of the Urim and Thummim I translated the record by the gift and power of God.
This is where I was reading the Wentworth Letter again, that touched me so deeply about the word “curious.” The part below in blue is what the Church Historians left out of the Church Manual I blogged about last year. You can read that blog here
Wentworth Omission
In this important and interesting book the history of ancient America is unfolded, from its first settlement by a colony that came from the Tower of Babel at the confusion of languages to the beginning of the fifth century of the Christian era. We are informed by these records that America in ancient times has been inhabited by two distinct races of people. The first were called Jaredites and came directly from the Tower of Babel. The second race came directly from the city of Jerusalem about six hundred years before Christ. They were principally Israelites of the descendants of Joseph. The Jaredites were destroyed about the time that the Israelites came from Jerusalem, who succeeded them in the inheritance of the country. The principal nation of the second race fell in battle towards the close of the fourth century. The remnant are the Indians that now inhabit this country. This book also tells us that our Savior made His appearance upon this continent after His Resurrection; that He planted the gospel here in all its fulness, and richness, and power, and blessing; that they had apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists—the same order, the same priesthood, the same ordinances, gifts, powers, and blessings, as were enjoyed on the eastern continent; that the people were cut off in consequence of their transgressions; that the last of their prophets who existed among them was commanded to write an abridgment of their prophecies, history, etc., and to hide it up in the earth; and that it should come forth and be united with the Bible for the accomplishment of the purposes of God in the last days. For a more particular account I would refer to the Book of Mormon, which can be purchased at Nauvoo, or from any of our traveling elders.” Joseph Smith Wentworth Letter
Now more about the word “curious” in the scriptures.
Testimony of Eight Witnesses
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen. And we lie not, God bearing witness of it.
Christian Whitmer
Jacob Whitmer
Peter Whitmer, Jun.
John Whitmer
Hiram Page
Joseph Smith, Sen.
Hyrum Smith
Samuel H. Smith
Timbers of Curious W
1 And it came to pass that they did the Lord, and did go forth with me; and we did work timbers of curious . And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the .
2 Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of men; but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shown unto me; wherefore, it was not after the manner of men.
3 And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord unto me things.
4 And it came to pass that after I had finished the ship, according to the word of the Lord, my brethren beheld that it was good, and that the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine; wherefore, they did themselves again before the Lord. 1 Nephi 18:1-4
An E Curious Man
5 And it came to pass that Hagoth, he being an curious man, therefore he went forth and built him an exceedingly large ship, on the borders of the land , by the land Desolation, and launched it forth into the west sea, by the neck which led into the land northward.
6 And behold, there were many of the Nephites who did enter therein and did sail forth with much provisions, and also many women and children; and they took their course northward. And thus ended the thirty and seventh year. Alma 63:5-8
A Round B of Curious Workmanship
10 And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one the way whither we should go into the wilderness.
16 And we did follow the of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness.
23 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my : Whither shall I go to obtain food?
26 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him: Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written.
27 And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and our wives.
28 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.
29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by means the Lord can bring about great things.
30 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did go forth up into the top of the mountain, according to the which were given upon the ball. 1 Nephi 16:10, 16, 23, 26-30
[This is where we go back to the beginning of my blog as I spoke about, “by small means.” This entire message flows so precisely to the importance of the Lords guidance while using our faith and at times an instrument the Lord provides for our help].
So Curious a Workmanship/Compass
“38 And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it , which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.
39 And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness.
40 And it did work for them according to their in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day.” Alma 37:38-40
Curious above also makes me think of, “not possible without God.” No man could do what the Lord can, and these curious instruments validate that.
All Manner of Work of Exceedingly Curious Workmanship.
25 And they did make all manner of tools to till the earth, both to plow and to sow, to reap and to hoe, and also to thrash..
26 And they did make all manner of tools with which they did work their beasts.
27 And they did make all manner of of war. And they did work all manner of work of exceedingly curious workmanship.” Ether 10:25-27
[Even the Jaredites spoke this word of “Curious.” It seems we may have found an incredibly unique word in the scriptures, that describes the Lord working with Man to cause His work to continue. I love this concept].
President Nelson- A Curious Instrument
“The details of this miraculous method of translation are still not fully known.” Elder Russell M. Nelson “Treasured Testament” 2016 Joseph Smith then said, “With the records was found a curious instrument, which the ancients called. “Urim and Thummim,” which consisted of two transparent stones set in the rims of a bow fastened to a breastplate.
[In the quote above and in the scriptures once again, it is validated that Joseph used “these stones fastened to a breastplate” as it says in JSH 1:35].
I am aware that the Church is neutral on the position of the exact method of translation, as a quote in a video from the Prophet seen below, indicates the process could vary.
In this video, speaking about the method of translation President Nelson said, “Quite miraculous really, we have through the gift and power of God, we have a lot of suggestions about how it was done…Pres Nelson Video Transcribed from Palmyra 2019]
The Prophet then shows a description of how possibly the hat and “Urim & Thummim Seer Stone” [Quote from the Prophet] were used. This is not doctrine, but a Prophets idea of a possible way of translation. Personally I feel the translation happened with the spectacles fastened to a breastplate as it says in all the scriptures here: JSH 1:35,52,62,75*; Mosiah 28:13, 20; Ether 3:22-23; 4:5; Alma 37:21, 24-25]
You of course may decide the method of translation you believe.
Native American Curious Instrument
“We had a war long ago with a light skinned people around the Great Lakes. We conquered them but we had so much respect for their warrior chief that we buried him at the mouth of the Oswego River that is in New York State. We don’t discuss this very much because it is an embarrassment to us.” President Rawson then asked why this is an embarrassment, and the Chief replied, “Our history is written on metal plates and buried in a hill in New York, but we don’t know which hill… It is the belief of the Cherokee People that they came to the land of the New World from the direction of the East Ocean riding on a white cloud. There seems to be in the legend, the existence of some type of round instrument which directed the voyage. Although not totally clear, it seems that the instrument which directed the voyage was ball-shape and contained another like it within itself. It contained a liquid, making the floating devices within to congregate at times to give direction to the eyes of the beholder…In those days when the Cherokee were a God-loving people, living in peace among themselves, they lived as one people, dwelling in half-moon shaped council houses. They had gone from living in caves to living in log-cabins. They still kept the sacred records of metal, some of which had come across the ocean waters with them, and others which they had continued keeping and making, scribing upon them as had been done before by the leaders of the People. They, too, had possession of the Ark of the Covenant, which they also had brought with them from their place of origin, existing across the eastern waters.” Talk given to missionaries in training at the MTC, Provo, Utah 1979, by President Murray J. Rawson.
As the quote above shows, there are also many Native American stories about instruments being used for these wonderful children of Joseph. Indeed the word “CURIOUS” has become an important word in my study of how the Lord works in these latter days.
