Home Answers Only Interpreters not “A” Urim and Thummim

Only Interpreters not “A” Urim and Thummim

Rian Nelson
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Only Interpreters not “A” Urim and Thummim

After reading the Book of Mormon for years, do you realize the words, Urim and Thummim are nowhere to be found? The word used in the Book of Mormon is “Interpreters.”

Interpreters

Why is that important?

Because when you hear someone mention “Urim and Thummim” you need to know if they are talking about the original Interpreters of the Book of Mormon, or about some other item not including the actual Interpreters. Remember “A” or “The”

Single Stone or the Interpreters?

Do you want scriptural evidence that indeed Joseph translated just as Mosiah did and both used the exact same instruments. The Interpreters or as Mosiah said, “those two stones which were fastened into the two rims of a bow. Mosiah also said, “handing them down from one generation to another, even as they had been handed down from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem.” It is a part of my personnel testimony the correct instruments found with the gold plates (two stones and breastplate) is what Joseph and Mosiah used to translate. NOT a stone in a hat.
 
Mosiah 28 below:
11 Therefore he took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, and also the plates of Nephi, and all the things which he had kept and preserved according to the commandments of God, after having translated and caused to be written the records which were on the plates of gold which had been found by the people of Limhi, which were delivered to him by the hand of Limhi;
12 And this he did because of the great anxiety of his people; for they were desirous beyond measure to know concerning those people who had been destroyed.
13 And now he translated them by the means of those two stones which were fastened into the two rims of a bow.
14 Now these things were prepared from the beginning, and were handed down from generation to generation, for the purpose of interpreting languages;
15 And they have been kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he should discover to every creature who should possess the land the iniquities and abominations of his people;
16 And whosoever has these things is called seer, after the manner of old times.
17 Now after Mosiah had finished translating these records, behold, it gave an account of the people who were destroyed, from the time that they were destroyed back to the building of the great tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people and they were scattered abroad upon the face of all the earth, yea, and even from that time back until the creation of Adam.
18 Now this account did cause the people of Mosiah to mourn exceedingly, yea, they were filled with sorrow; nevertheless it gave them much knowledge, in the which they did rejoice.
19 And this account shall be written hereafter; for behold, it is expedient that all people should know the things which are written in this account.
20 And now, as I said unto you, that after king Mosiah had done these things, he took the plates of brass, and all the things which he had kept, and conferred them upon Alma, who was the son of Alma; yea, all the records, and also the interpreters, and conferred them upon him, and commanded him that he should keep and preserve them, and also keep a record of the people, handing them down from one generation to another, even as they had been handed down from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem.
 
THE SCRIPTURES ARE TRUE. Historians only guess about the stone in a hat, and I have no idea why. Maybe they are bias like all of us, and maybe they don’t want to know, or maybe they sincerely believe their theory even after the witness of scriptures. These Historians are good Latter-day Saints and love the Book of Mormon as much as I, but I feel a strong truth about Joseph’s proper method.

President Nelson’s Video

Many people ask me about the video the Church did with our dear Prophet Russell M. Nelson demonstrating a single method of translation that he has heard about, using a hat and a possible stone.

Speaking about the method of Translation President Russell M. Nelson said, in that video, at the 3:30 mark the following: “Quite miraculous really, we have through the gift and power of God, we have a lot of suggestions about how it was done…” President Nelson also in this video demonstrated with a hat in his hand and spoke about the possible use of, as he said, “Urim and Thummim Seer Stones” as he is quoted as saying in the video titled. “The Book of Mormon Is Tangible Evidence of the Restoration. (Link Here) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2020-05-0290-the-book-of-mormon-is-tangible-evidence-of-the-restoration?lang=eng&collectionId=9e790dc7ca744028bf6f1e1e4676fd60

The method of Translation is not a question about doctrine but about belief or opinion.

“Fairly recently, a great number of the Church Historians, Professors and other intellectual people feel strongly that Joseph Smith used a single stone in a hat, and the words that Joseph saw on the stone would appear, and he would then tell his scribe those words, and they would write it down. These many Historians use the words of Martin Harris and David Whitmer who said that Joseph did use a single stone in a hat in this way. Of course, many people in the Church including the Prophet may use the information and research which the Church Historians have come up with in talks and to help us understand things. I don’t mind the help from these loyal Historians who work to help us. It is when these Historians begin depending on second and third hand witnesses and they then promote them as facts. That is what I don’t like. Why would a Historian use the secondhand quote from David Whitmer, when there were many firsthand quotes from Joseph and Oliver and actual scripture in regard to the method of translation?” Jonathan Neville

The Brethren don’t often concern themselves with nonessential information. Doctrine and special witness of the Savior is most important to them, and it should be. Our wonderful Prophet and Apostles depend on historians and other quorums to research and answer historical questions, as they trust them as I do, to share accurate information.

Lucy sees the Spectacles and Breastplate under a Linen by Anne Marie Oborn

No one except Joseph, Oliver and Lucy Mack Smith (Under a Linen) have ever seen the breastplate or the spectacles, so researchers could only share what their interpretation is of the information they have found. Many historians rarely look outside the box and there is always a hat or a rock nearby, so that makes it easy to demonstrate. Many historians also like to come up with new theories. Our Prophet is just re-sharing many things the historians have shared with him. That’s why the Brethren rarely say exactly how the translation happened as it is not revelation, so it really doesn’t concern them.  I suppose it shouldn’t matter to most of us, as the spiritual confirmation that Joseph used the gift and power of God is the best answer. However, I enjoy searching for additional answers as Moroni said, “ye may know the truth of all things.”

The stone in the hat is not a fact but many historians and Church videos show it as the “New Narrative”, which they seem to enjoy being at the forefront of supposedly new information.  Read about a possible narrative below. Could the historians have said Joseph used a hat and not actually putting the stone in it? Could be.

With a hat blocking Emma’s view from the glasses and the breastplate worn under Joseph’s shirt and a linen over the edge of the plates, Joseph kept his promise not to show these items to anyone. NO, a curtain was not between them. See my blog. Art by Anne Marie Oborn

More info here: https://bookofmormonevidence.org/scriptural-evidence-interpreters-not-a-stone-in-a-hat/

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