Mostly Unknown Fact:
In the entire translated Book of Mormon the words, “Urim and Thummim” are never used.
Other Apologists Opinion of the Translation Method
NOTE: Before my blog I would like briefly to describe Book of Mormon Central and the Interpreter Foundation’s definition of the translation. They believe Joseph either used only the stone in a hat, or a combination with the Interpreters and stone in a hat, at various times. They also say Joseph did not use the gold plates to look at while he translated, as they were usually covered.
What Did the Interpreters (Urim and Thummim) Look Like?
Ensign Oct 2015 Picture titled, What Happened to the Seer Stone?
As you see above, in the quote by a Book of Mormon Central advocate Stan Spencer, he attempts to mingle the “Interpreters”, with Joseph’s two individual single seer stones, which I also believe he possessed. One White and one Brown. In fact, BOMC says, “we have pictures”, as that picture proves they are correct? Here is that picture of the brown stone from the Oct. 2015 Ensign. (Left)
The article in the Ensign continues under the brown stone picture to say, “According to Joseph Smith’s history, he returned the Urim and Thummim, or Nephite “interpreters,” to the angel. But what became of the other seer stone or stones that Joseph used in translating the Book of Mormon?” [ In my opinion, Spencer co-mingles the Urim and Thummim and the other seer stone or stones as both being used to translate without explanation.] Spencer continues, “David Whitmer wrote that “after the translation of the Book of Mormon was finished, early in the spring of 1830, before April 6th, Joseph gave the stone to Oliver Cowdery and told me as well as the rest that he was through with it, and he did not use the stone any more.” Stan Spencer, Ensign Oct 2015
There is far too much for me to explain about this Ensign article and I will do a complete analysis of the entire article soon. Below begins my blog about “Provenance of the Interpreters.”
Provenance of the Interpreters, (Breastplate and Spectacles)
My basic question is, do you know who saw or touched or utilized each article [plates, spectacles, and breastplate] and when? What would be the provenance [meaning, the chronology of the ownership, custody or location of these historical objects?] That is one of the purposes of this blog, along with assisting readers in understanding additional details about the articles and their importance in translation. All three of these articles was taken back by Moroni, so we know today they are safely kept by the Lord, somewhere! [The brown and white individual seer stones spoken of, are very different than the Interpreters, also described as the spectacles and breastplate]. The brown stone pictured in the Ensign, as I understand, is in possession of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today. The church is neutral on the exact process of Joseph’s translation method, and instruments. See Gospel Topics Essays article here.
The Approximate Dates and/or Possession/View of the Interpreters:
Brother of Jared 2200 BC
Lehi or Nephi?
Mosiah 154 BC
Alma 92 BC
Heleman 74 BC
Ammaron 321 AD
Mormon 345 AD
Moroni 384 AD
Joseph Smith 1823 AD (First time viewing them in the Stone Box)
Luck Mack Smith 1827 AD (Saw and Touched through a Linen)
Oliver Cowdery 1829 AD (Possibly saw during his Translation attempt)
Joseph Smith 1827-30 AD
Moroni or the Lord
Brother of Jared and Joseph Smith had the Same Urim and Thummim
“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). https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/book-of-mormon-student-manual/chapter-50-ether-1-5?lang=eng
THE 2 QUOTES THAT SHOULD STAND ALONE
-1- “In the Wentworth Letter, the Prophet wrote: “With the records was found a curious instrument, which the ancients called “Urim and Thummim,” which consisted of two transparent stones set in the rim of a bow fastened to a breast plate. Through the medium of the Urim and Thummim I translated the record by the gift and power of God” (History of the Church, 4:537).
-2- 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).Here is more Scriptural Evidence that Joseph used the Interpreters or Urim and Thummim or Spectacles. Not a Stone in a Hat! See JSH 1:35,52,62,75*; Mosiah 28:13, 20; Ether 3:22-23; 4:5; Alma 37:21, 24-25
What names or descriptions are there for the breastplate and the spectacles as one unit?
Interpreters
Urim and Thummim
Directors
Instruments
Summary of the Actual Translation
My Summary of the actual Translation process will be submitted here. It is likely only one or two scenarios that are possible considering these key factors.
1- Plates and Interpreters not allowed to be seen by others unless the Lord authorizes. (Those known to see both articles are Joseph, Oliver, and Lucy Mack Smith, but only through the linen they were wrapped in. DC 5:3
2- Most reports say Joseph sat on one end of a table and the scribe on the other facing one another.
3- It is never mentioned in scripture that anything other than “The Interpreters” were used for translation. (Never mentions a stone in a hat)
4- Joseph could not translate unless he was in tune with the Lord and had all the proper equipment about him.
5-The Translation was accomplished only “By the Gift and Power of God” which none of us can fully understand.
6- The three witnesses saw the plates as Moroni turned the pages in front of them
7- The eight witnesses saw Joseph hand the plates to each of them and each of the 8 handled and hefted the plates
Importance of Breastplate & Spectacles Fastened
The breastplate and the spectacles were fastened to each other during translation, and created together what is called, the Urim and Thummim.
As i reflect on the spiritual nature of the translation, I believe the breastplate represents the heart, protection, and sincerity. The spectacles represent the mind, intellect, and understanding. Together with the spectacles and the breastplate fastened together, they in a very spiritual sense define, what I think would be called, “The Gift and Power of God.”
It’s a statement that is hard to explain, for most of us, but easy for the power of the Lord who can do all things.
Defining “Gift and Power of God”
By President Spencer W. Kimball. “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, [Spectacles] there must be a broadcasting set [Breastplate]. 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)
The Prophet Joseph Smith with these “constantly upon his person” [As Lucy said twice],and the breastplate fitting “exactly over his breast” [as Lucy said], Joseph can at any time refer to these objects to receive an answer to prayer, see danger, receive revelation, call on protection or any other gift the Lord needs to help him with.
A Rod on the Spectacles with a Pouch on the Breastplate
With these quotes below, it is very possible William Smith saw the Urim and Thummim or breastplate and spectacles. He gives an amazing description of the entire process. Of course we don’t know about the authenticity, but I am intrigued by William being quoted as saying, “[Joseph] always used it in connection with the breastplate when receiving official communications, and usually so when translating as it permitted him to have both hands free to hold the plates. A silver bow ran over one stone, under the other, around [sic] over that one and under the first in the shape of a horizontal figure 8…[T]hey were much too large for Joseph and he could only see through one at a time using sometimes one and sometimes the other.” These stones, he continued, “were attached to the breastplate by a rod which was fastened at the outer shoulde[r] edge of the breastplate and to the edge of the silver bow.” (Tyrell Givens, By the Hand of Mormon, p.22)
Another account from William Smith: “Among other things we inquired minutely about the Urim and Thummim and the breastplate. We asked him what was meant by the expression “two rims of a bow,” which held the former. He said a double silver bow was twisted into the shape of the figure eight, and the two stones were placed literally between the two rims of a bow. At one end was attached a rod which was connected with the outer edge of the right shoulder of the breast-plate. By pressing the head a little forward, the rod held the Urim and Thummim before the eyes much like a pair of spectacles. {Artist Rendering Below]. A pocket was prepared in the breastplate on the left side, immediately over the heart. When not in use the Urim and Thummim was placed in this pocket, the rod being of just the right length to allow it to be so deposited. This instrument could, however, be detached from the breastplate and his brother said Joseph often wore it detached when away from home, but always used it in connection with the breastplate when receiving official communications, and usually so when translating as it permitted him to have both hands free to hold the plates.” (J. W. Peterson in The Rod of Iron I:3 (February 1924), 6—7.)
Used Instruments “At any Moment”
Since the glasses fit nicely in a pouch in the back of the breastplate, Joseph could wear the breastplate constantly under his shirt and vest, not to be seen by others, which kept his promise to not show the instruments to anyone, unless commanded. At any time, the glasses could be fastened quickly to the breastplate and available to receive revelation or translate the Book of Mormon “at any moment” as Lucy Mack said.
“Joseph kept the urim and thumim constantly about his person, and he could by this means ascertain at any moment whether the plates were in danger, or having just looked into them before Emma got there, he perceived her coming and came up out of the well and met her. When she informed him of the situation what had occurred, he told her that the record was perfectly safe for the present, but he however concluded to go home with her and told Wells that his business at home made it necessary for him to return.” Punctuation and spelling made modern, color and bold added. Page [10] of book 5] https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/lucy-mack-smith-history-1844-1845/61#full-transcript
Of course, while digging a well and in order to have the breastplate and spectacles available “at any moment”, the breastplate was most likely under Joseph’s shirt and the spectacles in the pocket on back and over his heart, he could quickly connect the two, in order to view what the Interpreters (Breastplate and Spectacles) told him about Emma, and the plates, being “perfectly safe.”
Head & Heart Represented
I feel the connection of the breastplate and the spectacles represents an ultimate connection between earth and heaven and between the physical heart and the intellectual mind and eyes. My opinion on why it was so critical to have both instruments attached, was not only a matter of faith, but of obedience to what the Lord asked of Joseph. I cannot conclude that the Lord would make anything easier, but proper, as he the glasses attached was a matter of process and obedience.
There is a representation in our Temple that is very symbolic, showing a physical connection from our head to our sacred clothing. I believe this is important as our head, and heart are fastened together spiritually by something that is physical. Remeber as the scripture says, “For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth.” Moses 3:5
Elder Holland also very appropriately said, “But it should be noted that truly rock-ribbed faith and uncompromised conviction comes with its most complete power when it engages our head as well as our heart… Truth borne by the Holy Spirit comes with, in effect, two manifestations, two witnesses if you will—the force of fact as well as the force of feeling… I believe God intends us to find and use the evidence He has given—reasons, if you will—which affirm the truthfulness of His work…
Our testimonies aren’t dependent on evidence—we still need that spiritual confirmation in the heart of which we have spoken—but not to seek for and not to acknowledge intellectual, documentable support for our belief when it is available is to needlessly limit an otherwise incomparably strong theological position and deny us a unique, persuasive vocabulary in the latter-day arena of religious investigation and sectarian debate…” Jeffrey R. Holland Greatness of the Evidences Brigham Young University August 16, 2017
As Joseph said to his mother, “I can see anything.” Lucy Mack Smith said also, “Joseph seemed to like the spectacles more than the plates.” That would be understood as Joseph Smith like Prophets of old, could see the entire world as it was, as it is, and as it is to come. What a blessing and what a wonderful Prophet of the dispensation of the Fullness of Times. Joseph leads the eternities in this special mission for each of us.
Important Breastplate Questions, You should Answer
1- Why isn’t the Breastplate spoken of, as much as the Two Stones are?
2- Where did Joseph hide the breastplate and spectacles each day? Especially the large breastplate?
3- If Joseph used a seer stone to translate, did he have to use the breastplate with the spectacles?
Joseph was commanded to not show the plates or the breastplate or spectacles to anyone, unless otherwise commanded, did he obey that command?
4- Why was the breastplate and spectacles in the same stone box with the gold plates?
5- Who put the breastplate and spectacles in the stone box?
6- Who was the first one who possessed the breastplate and spectacles?
7- Why does it seem that the breastplate and spectacles were nearly always mentioned together?
8- Wouldn’t it be very inconvenient to have to wear the breastplate?
9-Can you name those people who ever saw the breastplate, for sure?
Is there any scripture that says Joseph translated with a single seer stone? NO!
Why would Joseph need a hat to block out light to see words if the Interpreters were made by God?
Did Joseph read words off of a stone? If so, who’s words were they? God’s, Nephi’s Mormon’s or whom? Also, we know there was no punctuation, did God or Mormon leave it out, or did Joseph just not tell the scribes?
Did Joseph even look at the plates during translation, or were they always covered?
There is no spot on this wide world of ours, which is calculated to excite more vivid reflections, than the wonderful hill of Cumorah. There the history of one-half of our globe, reposed, for fourteen centuries, in profound unbroken silence: there, “the everlasting Gospel,” engraved, not on tablets of stone, but on plates of gold, awaited the voice of the heavenly angel to reveal the priceless treasure: there, buried in the holy archives of Cumorah’s sacred hill, are plates of brass, plates of gold, undimmed by time ; sacredly guarded as the temple of heaven : there shines the Urim and Thummim, the stones of light, the gems of immortality: there, reposes in words of light, the hidden knowledge of ages past, the prophetic history of ages to come: there wisdom has selected her palace, and understanding here dwelling place, until ” the spirit is poured out from on high,” and “the skies pour down righteousness;” then, “the earth opens and brings forth salvation.” The Latter-day Saints Millennial Star Vol. 28; publisher Liverpool: July 7, 1866 Orson Pratt
“While the statement has been made by some writers that the Prophet Joseph Smith used a seer stone part of the time in his translating of the record, and information points to the fact that he did have in his possession such a stone, yet there is no authentic statement in the history of the Church which states that the use of such a stone was made in that translation. The information is all hearsay, and personally, I do not believe that this stone was used for this purpose. The reason I give for this conclusion is found in the statement of the Lord to the Brother of Jared as recorded in Ether 3: 22–24. These stones, the Urim and Thummim which were given to the Brother of Jared, were preserved for this very purpose of translating the record, both of the Jaredites and the Nephites. Then again the Prophet was impressed by Moroni with the fact that these stones were given for that very purpose. It hardly seems reasonable to suppose that the Prophet would substitute something evidently inferior under these circumstances. It may have been so, but it is so easy for a story of this kind to be circulated due to the fact that the Prophet did possess a seer stone, which he may have used for some other purposes” (Joseph Fielding Smith, “Doctrines of Salvation,” Vol. 3, 225-26).
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 http://peculiarpeopleillustrations.blogspot.com/2011/06/urim-and-thummim.html
Many Prophets used a Urim and Thummim
“Undoubtedly the Urim & Thummim were in use before the Flood, but the first scriptural reference to them is in connection with the revelations given to the Brother of Jared. (Ether 3:21-28) Abraham had them in his day (Abraham 3:1-4), and Aaron and the priests in Israel had them from generation to generation (Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8; Numbers 27:21; Deuteronomy 33:8; 1 Samuel 28:6; Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:65). There is no record that Lehi brought a Urim and Thummim to this continent, but king Mosiah had one prior to the discovery of the Book of Ether, and it was handed down from prophet to prophet.” (Omni 1:20-21; Mosiah 8:13-19; 21:26-28; 28:11-20; Alma 63:12; Ether 4:1-7). (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 818) https://archive.org/details/mortalmessiahfro01mcco/page/246/mode/2up?q=urim
Scriptural Accounts of Possession of the Interpreters and/or Plates
The Lord said to the Brother of Jared, “And behold, these stones (two additional stones, not the previous sixteen) will I give unto thee, and ye shall seal them up also with the things which ye shall write. For behold, the which ye shall write I have confounded; wherefore I will cause in my own due time that these stones shall magnify to the eyes of men these things which ye shall write.” Ether 3:23-24
Mormon said, “The Lord commanded him (Brother of Jared) that he should seal up the two which he had received, and show them not, until the Lord should show them unto the children of .” Ether 3:28
Mormon said, And now he (Mosiah) translated them by the means of those two which were fastened into the two rims of a bow. Now these things were prepared from the beginning, and were handed down from generation to generation, for the purpose of interpreting languages; Mosiah 28:13-14 See JSH 1:35 Below
Did Lehi have the Two Stones and the Breastplate?
Mormon said, “And now, as I said unto you, that after king Mosiah had done these things, he took the plates of , and all the things which he had kept, and them upon Alma, who was the son of Alma; yea, all the records, and also the , and conferred them upon him, and commanded him that he should keep and 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. Mosiah 28:20 (This means there is a good probability that Lehi had the two stones and breastplate).
Mormon said, “And about the time that hid up the records unto the Lord, he came unto me, (I being about ten years of age, and I began to be somewhat after the manner of the learning of my people) and Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a child, and art quick to observe; Therefore, when ye are about twenty and four years old (Apx 345 AD) I would that ye should remember the things that ye have observed concerning this people; and when ye are of that age go to the , unto a hill which shall be called ; and there have I deposited unto the Lord all the sacred engravings concerning this people.” Mormon 1:2-3
Mormon said, “And it came to pass that when we had gathered in all our people in one to the land of Cumorah, behold I, Mormon, began to be old; and knowing it to be the last struggle of my people, and having been commanded of the Lord that I should not suffer the records which had been handed down by our fathers, which were , to fall into the hands of the Lamanites, (for the Lamanites would them) therefore I made out of the plates of Nephi, and up in the hill Cumorah all the records which had been entrusted to me by the hand of the Lord, save it were few plates which I gave unto my son .” Mormon 6:6
Moroni said, “Therefore I will write and up the records in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not. Behold, my father hath made , and he hath written the intent thereof. And behold, I would write it also if I had room upon the , but I have not; and ore I have none, for I am alone. My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not. Behold, years have passed away since the coming of our Lord and Savior.” Mormon 8:4-6
Joseph Smith said, “There were two stones in silver bows—and These Stones, Fastened to a Breastplate constituted what is called the —deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book. JSH 1:35 (See Mosiah 28:13-14 above)
“Joseph also 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. Through the medium of the Urim and Thummim I translated the record by the gift and power of God.” Wentworth Letter
Oliver Cowdery’s Quotes
When Cowdery returned to Church membership in 1848 he spoke to an Iowa conference. His words there were recorded by Reuben Miller: “I wrote with my own pen the entire Book of Mormon (save a few pages) as it fell from the lips of the Prophet as he translated it by the gift and power of God by means of the Urim and Thummim, or as it is called by that book, holy interpreters. I beheld with my eyes and handled with my hands the gold plates from which it was translated. I also beheld the Interpreters. That book is true. … I wrote it myself as it fell from the lips of the Prophet.”
“The Miller journal can be tested by comparing it with official records of the Cowdery speeches, and it is clearly accurate. Thus the above words are likely to be Cowdery verbatim. This judgment is essential because in the report Oliver Cowdery says, “I … handled with my hands the gold plates.” Yet another Witness, David Whitmer, insisted that he had never handled the plates; he only watched as the angel in the vision displayed the plates and other sacred objects. Since Whitmer and Cowdery were together at this impressive vision, one must infer that Cowdery did not handle the plates at that time. Thus a distinction emerges between the key secretary and his witness brother-in-law: at some time during the translation process Oliver Cowdery evidently handled the plates. “By the Gift and Power of God” By Richard Lloyd Anderson
“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, as he translated it by the gift and power of God, by the means of the Urim and Thummim, or, as it is called by that book, ‘holy Interpreters.’ I beheld with my eyes and handled with my hands the gold plates from which it was translated. I also saw with my eyes and handled with my hands the ‘holy interpreters.’ That book is true. . . . It contains . . . the everlasting gospel and came in fulfillment of the revelations of John where he says [that] he saw an angel come with the everlasting Gospel to preach to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people” (“Testimonies of Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris,” Millennial Star, Aug. 20, 1859, 544) https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/content/joseph-smith-translates-the-gold-plates?lang=eng
Manner in which the Plates were Deposited
“The manner in which the plates were deposited: First, a hole of sufficient depth, (how deep I know not) was dug. At the bottom of this was laid a stone of suitable size, the upper surface being smooth. At each edge was placed a large quantity of cement, and into this cement, at the four edges of this stone, were placed, erect, four others, their bottom edges resting in the cement at the outer edges of the first stone. The four last named, when placed erect, formed a box, the corners, or where the edges of the four came in contact, were also cemented so firmly that the moisture from without was prevented from entering. It is to be observed, also, that the inner surface of the four erect, or side stones was smoothe. This box was sufficiently large to admit a breast-plate, such as was used by the ancients to defend the chest, &c. from the arrows and weapons of their enemy. From the bottom of the box, or from the breast-plate, arose three small pillars composed of the same description of cement used on the edges; and upon these three pillars was placed the record of the children of Joseph, and of a people who left the tower far, far before the days of Joseph… I must not forget to say that this box, containing the record was covered with another stone, the bottom surface being flat and the upper, crowning. But those three pillars were not so lengthy as to cause the plates and the crowning stone to come in contact. I have now given you, according to my promise, the manner in which this record was deposited;” Oliver Cowdery, “Letter VIII,” October 1835
Lucy Mack Smith said
When he returned, he requested me to come downstairs. I told him that I could not leave my work just then, yet upon his urgent request, I finally concluded to go down and see what he wanted, upon which he handed me the breastplate spoken of in his history.
It was wrapped in a thin muslin handkerchief, so thin that I could see the glistening metal and ascertain 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, two of which ran back to go over the shoulders, and the other two were designed to fasten to the hips. They were just the width of two of my fingers (for I measured them), and they had holes in the end of them to be convenient in fastening. The whole plate was worth at least five hundred dollars. After I had examined it, Joseph placed it in the chest with the Urim and Thummim.” (History of Joseph Smith, Revised and Enhanced)
“I have myself seen and handled the golden plates; they are about eight inches long, and six wide; some of them are sealed together and are not to be opened, and some of them are loose. They are all connected by a ring which passes through a hole at the end of each plate and are covered with letters beautifully engraved. I have seen and felt also the Urim and Thummim. They resemble two large bright diamonds set in a bow like a pair of spectacles. My son puts these over his eyes when he reads unknown languages, and they enable him to interpret them in English. I have likewise carried in my hands the sacred breastplate. It is composed of pure gold and is made to fit the breast very exactly.” Lucy Mack Smith (in Henry Caswall, The City of the Mormons; or, Three Days at Nauvoo, in 1842, 2nd ed. revised and enlarged, (London: J. G. F. & J. Rivington, 1843), 26)
First person other than Joseph Smith to feel and heft the plates.
“..Josiah Stowell (or “Stoal”), was the first person other than Joseph Smith to feel and heft the plates. Later, though, Stowell actually “testified under oath that he saw the plates the day Joseph first brought them home. As Joseph passed them through the window, Stowell saw a corner of the plates as a portion of the linen was pulled back. Stowell gave the court the dimensions of the plates and explained that they consisted of gold leaves with characters written on each sheet.
…It was unknown to Smith, that witness, (Josiah Stowell), saw a corner of the Bible, (Book of Mormon plates), so called by Smith; told the witness the leaves were of gold; there were written characters on the leaves; prisoner was commanded to translate the same by the Lord; and from the Bible got from the hill, as aforesaid, the prisoner said he translated the book of Mormon….” Two 1830 Court Cases, Archaeological and Historical Evidence Josiah Stowell http://www.supportingevidences.net/josiah-stowell/
Curtain only for Martin Harris
I believe Martin Harris was very superstitious, nervous and scared of consequences. The way he acted would seem to me that he made Joseph put a curtain between them as Martin wanted no chance of himself accidently seeing the plates, breastplate or spectacles. Martin seemed he was afraid that he may meet his utter destruction as the Lord warned Joseph. “Harris declares, that when he acted as amanuensis, and wrote the translation, as Smith dictated, such was his fear of the Divine displeasure that a screen (sheet) was suspended between the prophet and himself. “Gold Bible, No. 6.” The Reflector (Palmyra, New York) 2, no. 16 (19 March 1831): 126–27.
“With regard to the physical circumstances of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his scribe, Martin Harris was quoted as saying there was a blanket or curtain hung between himself and Joseph during the translation process. If Martin is accurately quoted, perhaps this occurred when the Prophet was copying characters directly from the plates in the sample to be taken to Professor Charles Anthon, since the dates mentioned are several months before Martin Harris’s brief scribal duties began. I say this because although David Whitmer mentions a blanket being used—it was only to partition off the living area in order to keep both the translator and scribe from the eyes of visitors (see David Whitmer Interviews: A Restoration Witness, ed. Lyndon W. Cook, [1991], 173).
In fact, Elizabeth Anne Whitmer Cowdery, Oliver’s wife, said, “Joseph never had a curtain drawn between him and his scribe” (quoted in John W. Welch and Tim Rathbone, “The Translation of the Book of Mormon: Basic Historical Information,” F.A.R.M.S. report WRR–86, p. 25). Emma likewise said of her days as scribe, early on, that Joseph dictated “hour after hour with nothing between us” (“Last Testimony of Sister Emma,” 289). Of course, the real revelatory process involved Joseph’s mind and faith, which could not be seen by others in any case…” By Elder Neal A. Maxwell
For additional information you can read my other blog called, “7+ First-Hand Witnesses of the Interpreters” here.
