28th Conference Review:
Our 28th International Book of Mormon Evidence just finished, and we are all very enthused with the great messages and the overall success of the event. I am just sending out a quick blog to thank all of you who attended and all that were vendors or speakers.
We will have the recordings of this event available in several weeks for you to watch on our streaming site at bookofmormonevidence.org/streaming. If you are already a subscriber all the new videos will be available as soon as we upload them in a few weeks. For those who have not registered for a membership, may do so immediately at the same website. Currently we have over 700 videos of hundreds of speakers you will love to listen to.
We had fantastic information and spiritual food shared by Tim Ballard, Greg Hughes, Eric Moutsos and many others, along with a brand new discussion by Rod Meldrum called, “And the Earth Shall Be Rolled Together as a Scroll”, Part 1 and Part 2.
Jonathan Neville spoke about a brand new book, (I think he has published 15 or more books in just 5 years) which was titled, “Heartland in Africa”, a unique and colorful Church History book which is perfect for youth and children as well as adults. Wayne May had three fantastic presentations and had a blow out sale of many of his tapes and books. We hade a wonderful Native American program hosted by Betty and Mike LaFontaine. The spirit was strong as our Natives brothers and sisters spoke, dance, sung, and bore witness of the Savior. it was inspiring. Hannah and the Stoddard “S-Team” were powerful again. As we dedicated this conference to a great man James Stoddard, many of us felt his presence at the conference and we believe he will be able to help us succeed from his place with God even more than he helped us while on this earth. He will be missed but Hannah is continuing the focus of protecting the name of Joseph Smith, and moving the masses toward loving our Savior Jesus Christ.
We were blessed with the musical talents of Tatia Nelson and Nathan Osmond. What a crucial part of the Conference as they both testified through song, about their love of the Lord. We were all touched deeply by the spirit. We also thank Tatia who’s company she works for, Nature’s Fusions, owned by CJ Peterson, donated over 6,000 bottles of hand sanitizer for anyone who wanted some, and they utilized Wayne May’s Foundation, so they could donate. Thanks to all who contributed.
We had Dr. Kevin Price and Dana Young introduce a new oil called Bee Balm or Oil of the Nephites, extracted by what we believe was an ancient Nephite plant to help with disease and sickness. Our constitution was defended again from Pamela Romney Openshaw and many others. We had many great nutritional products and health benefit speakers like Dr. Pat Jones, Angie Christensen, Craig Fairclough and Tim Peak. . You wouldn’t’ believe the incredible works of art and old history books that CJ Peterson had on display and for sale. We heard from new authors, Juanita Werritt, and Angela Wilson, and we also remember our Universal Model scientists Russ Barlow and Dean Sessions. My Father in law, Robert Mehl is a 50 year former geologist, and he joined Dean on stage to attack and show truth about science of the Lord, and how it refutes the current dogmas in the world departments of theory. You missed a lot if you didn’t attend, but you will have videos to enjoy soon.
Thanks to all for the time we shared together. I will spend more time in the weeks to come to share with you about other topics and new information that was shared. I did a presentation called, “Mother I have got the Key“, which I summarize below and offer you an upload about the talk. Rod and I have also created a new 128 page volume called “Heartland Handbook”, available to purchase here for only $15.
Book of Mormon Translation Common Sense- What is the KEY?
Through study, research and prayer in the past many months I have repeatedly felt the strength of common sense about the method of translation of the Book of Mormon. I do know and have a testimony that, the plates were translated by the “Gift and Power of God”, and by that Spirit of the Lord’s, I know the Book of Mormon is true.
I also believe very strongly that Joseph Smith never uses a so called seer stone to translate the Book of Mormon, as it makes NO sense to me whatsoever. There is not one place in the scriptures that says a stone was used to translate the plates, but in scripture you will hear about two stones, or the interpreters (plural), or the Urim and Thummim (plural by its own name), or “two stones in a silver bow. Lucy Mack Smith said, “ what Joseph termed a key… nothing more nor less than a Urim and Thummim” Lucy Mack Smith
Get a Free download here, of a list of Scripture and Hard Evidence that shows the scriptural significance of Joseph’s translation with the spectacles and breastplate, not with a silly stone in a hat.
“The Key” explained from Lucy Mack Smith’s Journal
Lucy Mack Smith said, “I trembled so much with fear lest all might be lost again by some small failure in keeping the commandments, that I was under the necessity of leaving the room to conceal my feelings. Joseph saw this and followed me. “Mother,” said he. “Do not be uneasy. All is right. See here,” said he, “I have got the key.”
I knew not what he meant, but took the article in my hands and, examining it with no covering but a silk handkerchief, found that it consisted of two smooth three-cornered diamonds set in glass, and the glasses were set in silver bows connected with each other in much the same way that old-fashioned spectacles are made. He took them again and left me, but did not tell me anything of the record….
That of which I spoke, which Joseph termed a key, was indeed nothing more nor less than a Urim and Thummim by which the angel manifested those things to him that were shown him in vision; by which also he could at any time ascertain the approach of danger, either to himself or the record, and for this cause he kept these things constantly about his person.” (History of Joseph Smith, Revised and Enhanced, p. 139, 145)
We had a few minor issues about the speaking times and names of some speakers, as we had many more cancellations by speakers than we ever had. We replaced the unavailable speakers easily with other fantastic speakers. Those who were ill or unable to come we hope to see them next April. We have currently reserved the Davis County Conference Center in Layton, UT for April 7-9, 2022 to have our 29th Conference. You can see details and updates regularly on our website at bookofmormonevidence.org/events.
The meaning of the words Urim is rendered as haw-oo-reem, or lights; Thummim is rendered veh-hat-toom-meen, or perfections; the septuagint render them as revelation and truth. – Popular Bible Encyclopedia
Lucy’s Description of the Interpreters/Urim and Thummim
Lucy Mack Smith’s physical description of the interpreters/Urim and Thummim that Joseph Smith had in his possession.” “On the morning of September 22, after Joseph had returned from the hill, he placed the article [the Nephite interpreters] of which he spoke into my hands, and, upon examination, I found that it consisted of two smooth three-cornered diamonds set in glass, and the glasses were set in silver bows, which were connected with each other in much the same way as old fashioned spectacles. . . . He [Joseph Smith] handed me the breastplate spoken of in his history. It was wrapped in a thin muslin handkerchief, so thin that I could feel its proportions without any difficulty. It was concave on one side and convex on the other, and extended from the neck downwards, as far as the center of the stomach of a man of extraordinary size. It had four straps of the same material, for the purpose of fastening it to the breast.” (History of Joseph Smith by His Mother Lucy Mack Smith)
Back in the day, mostly prior to the 2000’s, if you would have even hinted that Joseph looked at a rock in a hat to translate the Book of Mormon, you’d get called into the bishop’s office with threats of disfellowship, maybe even excommunication, for perpetuating anti-Mormon lies. Then the information age came crashing in. Be prepared for parents that were born in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s to accuse you of teaching their kids anti-Mormon lies in primary as their cognitive dissonance goes bonkers.
The intellectuals in the great and spacious building are creating havoc in our society. The Firm Foundation Conference speakers are successfully debunking much of this anti Christ delusion.
Elder Russell M. Nelson has shared a talk several times over the years called, “A Treasured Testament”, spoken and published in 1992, 1993, 1997,and, 2016, In describing the translation of the Book of Mormon he says, “The details of this miraculous method of translation are still not fully known. Yet we do have a few precious insights. David Whitmer wrote…” Elder Nelson then continues his talk.
In this talk Elder Nelson quotes David Whitmer, Emma Smith, and Edmund Briggs which very well could be accurate quotes, but they are all second and third hand quotes. I however feel the words of Joseph Smith and the words of Oliver Cowdery who were first hand accoun,ts ring most true to my heart and I have followed the council of Elder Benson below.
Ezra Taft Benson
“Suppose a leader of the Church were to tell you that you were supporting the wrong side of a particular issue. Some might immediately resist this leader and his counsel or ignore it, but I would suggest that you first apply the fourth great civic standard for the faithful Saints. That standard is to live for, to get, and then to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.” Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints, Ezra Taft Benson
Said Brigham Young: “I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. … Let every man and woman know, by the whisperings of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not.” (JD, vol. 9, p. 150.)”
First-Hand Witnesses of Joseph Smith
“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.” Joseph Smith Wentworth Letter
“He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants;
Also, that there were two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim—deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted “seers” in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book. …
Again, he told me, that when I got those plates of which he had spoken—for the time that they should be obtained was not yet fulfilled—I should not show them to any person; neither the breastplate with the Urim and Thummim; only to those to whom I should be commanded to show them; if I did I should be destroyed. While he was conversing with me about the plates, the vision was opened to my mind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly that I knew the place again when I visited it.” Joseph Smith—History in the Pearl of Great Price or History of the Church, 1:2–79.
Personal Revelation
I have said many times, that if the Prophet and Apostles tell me it is doctrine that the main Book of Mormon Events happened in Mesoamerica, or if they tell me that at one time Adam was an ape, or that only a seer stone was used to translate the Book of Mormon, or that Joseph Smith never looked at the plates but he just read the words off of a rock, or that Noah’s flood was not real, I would have a very hard time believing it, but with much prayer, and personal revelation, I would follow the Living Prophets, including Russell M. Nelson who speaks doctrine and revelation to us.
“Does God really want to speak to you? Yes! “As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course … as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.”
You don’t have to wonder about what is true. You do not have to wonder whom you can safely trust. Through personal revelation, you can receive your own witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this is the Lord’s Church. Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true.
I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that “if thou shalt [seek], thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.” Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives by President Russell M. Nelson
First-Hand Witnesses of Oliver Cowdery
Then in the fall of 1848, he and his family made their way to Council Bluffs and found themselves again among many of the Saints who at that time were moving to the West. At a conference held in Kanesville on the 24th of October, 1848, he stood and said:
“Friends and Brethren:
“My name is Cowdery—Oliver Cowdery. In the history of the Church I stood … in her councils. Not because I was better than other men was I called … to fill the purposes of God. He called me to a high and holy calling. I wrote with my own pen the entire Book of Mormon (save a few pages) as it fell from the lips of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and he translated it by the power and gift of God, by means of the Urim and Thummim, or as it is called by that book, ‘Holy Interpreter.’
“I beheld with my eyes and handled with my hands, the gold plates from which it was translated. … That book is true, Sidney Rigdon did not write it; Mr. Spaulding did not write it; I wrote it myself as it fell from the lips of the Prophet. …
“I was present with Joseph when an Holy Angel from Heaven came down and conferred upon us … the Aaronic Priesthood, and said to us, at the same time, that it should remain on earth while the earth stands. I was also present with Joseph when the Higher or Melchizedek Priesthood was conferred by the Holy Angels from on high. …
“Brethren, for a number of years, I have been separated from you. I now desire to come back. I wish to come humble and be one in your midst. I seek no station. I only wish to be identified with you. I am out of the Church, but I wish to become a member. I wish to come in at the door: I know the door, I have not come here to seek precedence. I come humbly and throw myself upon the decision of the body, knowing as I do, that its decisions are right.” (Stanley R. Gunn, Oliver Cowdery, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1962, pp. 203–4.)
In the October 1834 Messenger and Advocate [the Church newspaper in Kirtland, Ohio], Oliver Cowdery wrote: “These were days never to be forgotten to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated, with the Urim and Thummim, or, as the Nephites would have said, ‘Interpreters,’ the history or record called ‘The Book of Mormon’” (Messenger and Advocate, 1:14; Also known as Letter I Oliver Cowdery to William W. Phelps, 7 September 1834).
Joseph Fielding McConkie/Craig J. Ostler
“Explanations as to how the Book of Mormon was translated have become the source of considerable speculation and misinformation. There appears to be little interest on the part of some writers to distinguish between what might be called historical prattle and competent testimony. For instance, scripture, statements by the Prophet himself, and the collaborative testimony of Oliver Cowdery the only firsthand sources we have on the matter are not, among some, accorded the same attention or credence as things said by secondhand witnesses who in thought and spirit were clearly out of harmony with the Prophet and the Church. See my complete blog here:
The matter of how the Book of Mormon was translated has been of considerable interest and discussion virtually from the time the book became public. This is illustrated in an exchange that took place between the Prophet and his brother Hyrum in a conference of the Church held 25 October On that occasion Hyrum said “that he thought best that the information of the coming forth of the book of Mormon be related by Joseph himself to the Elders present that all might know for themselves.” In response, Joseph Smith said that “it was not intended to tell the world all the particulars of the coming forth of the book of Mormon, & also said that it was not expedient for him to relate these things &c” (Cannon and Cook, Far West Record, 23).
Yet, it was not intended that we be entirely ignorant of the process of translation; otherwise, the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 9 would not have been included in a compilation of revelations intended for the eyes of the entire world. There are principles involved here of which every faithful Latter- day Saint ought to be a competent witness. There are also counterfeit notions about how the Book of Mormon was translated that enhance neither our understanding of how revelation is received nor our appreciation for the labor and faith involved so that we might have the Book of Mormon.” “The Process of Translating the Book of Mormon” 2000 by Joseph Fielding McConkie (Professor of Ancient Scripture, BYU) and Craig J. Ostler (Assistant Professor of Church History and Doctrine, BYU)
“The Prophet Joseph Smith used the same Urim and Thummim that was “given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord face to face” (D&C 17:1). President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote a brief history regarding the Urim and Thummim: “King Mosiah possessed ‘two stones which were fastened into the two rims of a bow,’ called by the Nephites Interpreters, with which he translated the Jaredite record [Mosiah 28:11–14], and these were handed down from generation to generation for the purposes of interpreting languages. How Mosiah came into possession of these two stones or Urim and Thummim the record does not tell us, more than to say that it was a ‘gift from God’ [Mosiah 21:28]. Mosiah had this gift or Urim and Thummim before the people of Limhi discovered the record of Ether. They may have been received when the ‘large stone’ was brought to Mosiah with engravings upon it, which he interpreted by the ‘gift and power of God’ [Omni 1:20–21]. They may have been given to him, or to some other prophet before his day, just as the Brother of Jared received them—from the Lord. “That the Urim and Thummim, or two stones, given to the Brother of Jared were those in the possession of Mosiah appears evident from Book of Mormon teachings. The Brother of Jared was commanded to seal up his writings of the vision he had when Christ appeared to him, so that they could not be read by his people. … The Urim and Thummim were also sealed up so that they could not be used for the purpose of interpreting those sacred writings of this vision, until such time as the Lord should grant to man to interpret them. When they were to be revealed, they were to be interpreted by the aid of the same Urim and Thummim [Ether 3:21–28]. …“Joseph Smith received with the breastplate and the plates of the Book of Mormon, the Urim and Thummim, which were hid up by Moroni to come forth in the last days as a means by which the ancient record might be translated, which Urim and Thummim were given to the Brother of Jared [D&C 17:1]” (Joseph Fielding Smith Doctrines of Salvation, 3:223–25). The Prophet inquired of the Lord, and D&C Section 17 was given in answer through the Urim and Thummim.
Letter of thanks to Anne and Garth Oborn:
I am absolutely impressed that in just a few days you can create what I feel in my heart, in that beautiful art work. Seriously I have prayed and prayed for just a small answer as I was prepared to do my presentation without artwork. It comes down to a feeling i had to call Kendra Burton for a last opportunity, but I had resigned myself to say it just isn’t possible with only two weeks left. I sent all the pictures to your brother Dave and he called me back and suggested you Ann Oborn, do this project. At first I thought well I don’t know this lady and I would have to know her art etc, but I took a leap of faith and called you.
A few days later, when you called me at 3:17, ( looked at my phone), and you said cane you come right over as you had models coming to your home in a dew minutes, I was shocked and quickly gathered up my replica gold plated, a stove pipe hat and a farmers hat, a seer stone, a pair of rag tag hanger wired white crystals made to look lie the crystals in a bow, my turkey feather, an old journal made by my friend Steve Blake, an old 1830 replica Book of Mormon created by Steve as well, and with these articles I hurried over to your home only about 4 miles from my home in Bountiful. I came to your house that Sunday and met you and Garth and soon Eliza Thompson and her husband came over. He had on a blue shirt and you and Garth asked him if he had a white shirt. (Honestly I felt, what does it matter, as Anne could paint any color shirt why does she have to see a white one?) Garth wanted you to set up the table and chairs and he wanted to get right at taking pictures. I explained to Garth I have to tell you the story first as it will add the spirit to the art I feel is appropriate. Garth patiently let me spend about 20 minutes explaining and then I said, “Ok I’m done take the pictures. You and Garth hurriedly took many many pictures. I still had a little doubt, but I put it in the Lord’s hands and asked Him to help Anne and myself. I left your home with you and I had a lot of hope in my heart. When I didn’t hear from you in 3 or 4 days to answer my questions or to let me see where you were in the process, I thought, well, maybe she just couldn’t do it that quickly and I was fine to go forward without the art.
When you texted me today and said you had something for me to see, I said to myself, wow, she couldn’t be done yet so she just wants me to come over and see the progress she was making. When I walked into your home tonight and from about 100 feet away, I saw the painting you had done and I immediately saw what Lucy and I called “The Key”. Meaning that from a distance I saw the spectacles but I also immediately thought I saw Martin Harris sitting across from Joseph. As I walked toward the art, I could see, no that isn’t Martin, that is Emma, and I was so happy. Then I looked at the gold plates partially covered with a very fine twined linen cloth covering a small part of one of the three rings of the plates so Emma couldn’t see them, and I thought. Wow, that image of the plates is perfect in proportion to the spectacles.
Lastly I looked at Joseph and he looked wonderful as he held his farmers hat over the front of the spectacles so Emma couldn’t see them, as the Lord had instructed that no one was to see the plates, The spectacles or the plates and all three of those issues were taken care of by how you set up the picture for the proper look and feel. I could see the spectacles were attached to a rod on Joseph’s right side and you could tell they were being held up for the breastplate that Joseph had tightly on his person and under his shirt. You can’t see the front of Joseph which is perfect, as none of us know what, “by the gift and power of God” means really, but the one thing I do know through the spirit is that the spectacles and the breastplate had to be connected as the scriptures say, in order for Joseph to receive the proper translation of that most sacred record.
Just as Elder Holland said, there was heart and head in this painting, you knew by both feelings, that the breastplate and the spectacles represented this head and heart feeling, that the translation was indeed from the Lord. I know through the powerful words of my now favorite woman in the church, Lucy Mack Smith, that these, (meaning the spectacles and the breast plate) “remained constanalty on his person.”
The hat was nothing more than a prop to block out Emma’s vision so Joseph could keep his promise to not show the breastplate (under his shirt) or the spectacles hidden behind and not in the hat, and the plates lay partially covered as Emma could not see them at all from her angle. Yes, the Prophet of the Lord kept his promise not to show anyone these articles the best way he new how, with the shirt, the hat, and the Linen, these became special articles of the translation and a special part of the” gift and power of God”. How marvelous are these spectacles as I can see “everything” as Joseph said to Josiah Stowell as written by Lucy and written by her transcribers Sister Coray.
I think the tile of the art for me is, “Mother, I have got the Key'” and as Lucy continued to say, “He [Joseph] seems to like the glasses more than the plates” and Joseph said, Mother, I can see anything! Rian Nelson
If this subject is important to you, then study and pray about it. This is my very reasonable conclusion of a possible method of translation and I would appreciate your feedback about it. Remember we each can receive personal revelation to build our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
More about the Translation and the Paintings
There was not a curtain between them as you will read about in my full story. See my blog for additional information called, 7+ FIRST-HAND WITNESSES OF THE INTERPRETERS
My complete video presentation will be available in 3 weeks or so along with the other 70 speakers who just spoke. If you would like to subscribe to the streaming site visit here.
The two paintings by Anne Marie Oborn were first unveiled at our 28th conference on Sept 23, 2021 exactly 198 years from the date that Joseph received the plates, spectacles and breastplate from Moroni in 1823.
See pictures below of the photo shoot and the wonderful illustrations that Anne created in a short focused and spiritual pattern, where I believe the Lord stepped in to help Anne create this wonderful vision I had bee seeing in my head. I believe the method of translation that I have described here makes sense, and the idea of using a seer stone in a hat, makes no sense to me. Especially where there is not one scripture to say anything about a stone in a hat, but there are over 9 scriptural accounts of Joseph using the connected breastplate and spectacles to assist Joseph in mentally and physically being able to formulate an inspired translation. If Joseph was just receiving words off of a rock, who was speaking? Was Joseph ever translating or was he dictating, simply repeating words from a mysterious source? Why do the intellectuals say Joseph never even looked at the plates while translating? Why did Nephi and Moroni take such pains in writing and protecting the plates if Joseph later in life would just read a silly stone in a hat? That makes NO SENSE! With the breastplate under Josephs shirt and spectacles in a pocket on the inside of the breastplate, and “upon his person constantly”, Joseph had the key of revelation at a moments notice. As canonized scripture says a lot about the method of translation, we can pray and study and find even more knowledge that will allow us additional divine and personal revelation. Oliver said, “These were days never to be forgotten—to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated with the Urim and Thummim, or, as the Nephites would have said, ‘Interpreters,’ the history or record called ‘The Book of Mormon.’ JSH 1:75*
The Lord’s Instrument
“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.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, Pg.52 – Pg.53)
Two Paintings. Can you see the differences?
The Urim and Thummim, a Precision Instrument
I don’t see quotes like the ones below from Pres Kimball, that speak about a rock in a hat. The Urim and Thummim is truly an instrument of God. Did you know however the words, “Urim and Thummim” are not in the Book of Mormon text at all? The words they use is “Interpreters.” The intellectuals say the peep stone was simply called a Urim and Thummim, not necessarily being the exact Urim and Thummim. Intellectuals, historians and professors always try and complicate the issues to hide truth. The simplicity of Joseph wearing the breastplate under his shirt and using a hat as an impediment from vision of the transcriber, and a small covering of a portion of the plates to stay out of site from a front view angle, simply makes sense.
“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? 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.53)
“. . . the fact that there were superstitions among the people in the days of Joseph Smith is no evidence whatever that the Church came of such superstition.” Gordon B. Hinckley, “Lord, Increase Our Faith,”
