Sacredly Attached: Spectacles and Breastplate

“If they would not believe the revelations that God had given, He would suffer the devil to give revelations that they… would follow after.” 

“Joseph Smith, Jr. said, every man who lived on the earth was entitled to a seer stone, and should have one, but they are kept from them in consequence of their wickedness.” – Prophet Brigham Young, “History of Brigham Young,” Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, v. 26, February 20, 1864

“The power of seership is one of the greatest gifts ever given to man; and the time is not far distant when every man who bears the Priesthood will be a seer. But it can only be when men have proved themselves able to withstand all of the false deceptions of the devil. Today the powers of crystal ball gazers, astrologers, ouija boards, etc., are abounding because men have forsaken or rejected the true seers of God. Thousands of people seek unto ‘wizards who peep and mutter’ etc., but they will not seek unto the living God. I can say to all the inhabitants of the earth that before what is called spiritualism was ever known in America, I told the people that if they would not believe the revelations that God had given, He would suffer the devil to give revelations that they–priests and people would follow after. .  . I told the people that as true as God lived, if they would not have the truth they would have error sent to them, and they would believe it.”  (Brigham Young, Des. News, June 18, 1871, p. 308) (See Revelation 2:17 and D&C 130:11)

Attached & Connected- Heart & Mind- Intellect & Feeling

In my opinion the importance of the breastplate and the spectacles being in the same stone box with the gold plates, is a sacred message to Joseph Smith, and to each of us, that the attachment of these two articles was critical and vital to the proper translation of the plates. If not why wasn’t the brown stone and a hat buried with the plates? Did you know the Lord touched the very stones attached in the silver bows for the Brother of Jared, and he sealed them up with the Jaredite records to come forth to Moroni and Joseph Smith later? See Ether 3:22-23; 4:5. I do not believe any simple and ordinary stone in a hat was ever used to translate the sacred record of the Book of Mormon. I believe many intellects and historians are wrong. This silly “peep” stone idea comes from the first anti Mormon book called “Mormonism Unvailed” and I don’t believe it.

The Lord’s Instrument, Sacred & Perfect!

“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? 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)

Components of the Color Television Transmitter and Receiver.

Synchronization of Transmitting and Receiving Apparatus

As President Kimball said, “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?” The answer of course is, No, God has no limitation as man does.

The Lord expressly told Joseph Smith, “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.” JSH 1:42

It seems a small thing for the Lord to tell Joseph to keep these sacred instruments out of sight of anyone at this time. That says to me that Joseph would have to be extra careful and prayerful to keep this promise. After all there were many who assisted Joseph as a scribe.

Elder Maxwell said, “We marvel that the Prophet Joseph Smith worked completely without referring to any other sources. None of the 12 people who either participated or merely observed mentioned Joseph’s having any reference materials present. (The 12 people were Emma Smith, Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, Elizabeth Ann Whitmer Cowdery, David Whitmer, William Smith, Lucy Mack Smith, Michael Morse, Sarah Hellor Conrad, Isaac Hale, Reuben Hale, and Joseph Knight Sr.). Since the Prophet dictated openly, these individuals would have been aware of any suspicious behavior or procedures. Emma was emphatic on this very point: “He had neither manuscript nor book to read from, [and] if he had anything of the kind he could not have concealed it from me” (“Last Testimony of Sister Emma,” 289, 290) “By the Gift and Power of God” By Elder Neal A. Maxwell Ensign, Jan 1997, 36

None of these 12 ever spoke about seeing the breastplate nor the spectacles, nor even seeing the seer stone during translation and they in my opinion, never spoke of seeing the seer stone in a hat, but just speculating that a seer stone was in the hat. They all probably knew Joseph had a seer stone or two and assumed that is what Joseph used.

“A” Urim and Thummim vs. “The” Urim and Thummim

D&C 130:10 says, “Then the white stone mentioned in Revelation 2:17, will become “A” Urim and Thummim to each individual.” If you believe in scripture you have to listen carefully here; “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.” JSH 1:35 What is called “THE” Urim and Thummim? (It is referring to plurality not singular, as it says, “two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate) What is called “A” Urim and Thummim? (Josephs brown stone or his white stone or any rock anyone wants to call) “A” Urim and Thummim”(Singular). But “THE” Urim and Thummim is THE ONLY instrument the scriptures say are to be, and were used as the scripture says, “for the purpose of translating the book.” Not any ordinary stone is to be used to translate, so the rock that Joseph found in a well was a nice rock and a great souvenir and probably used by Joseph for fun and other things, but the brown stone was not used to translate as JSH 1:35 says. Scripture reference is far greater than speculating or guessing.

Doctrine vs Opinion

In my opinion many of today’s Church Historians get it wrong about several important issues. I am not smarter than they, nor do I  have a higher degree of learning than they do, and I also know these Historians and I have probably the same strong testimony about the Book of Mormon. I just have done some research by reading and pondering the following scriptures, that answer a big question for me. What instrument(s) did Joseph Smith use to translate the gold plates? Answer: “These Stones, Fastened to a Breastplate…” JSH 1:35 What Stones? The ones the Lord Himself touched for the Brother of Jared spoken of in Ether. Not a single stone found in a well.

JSH 1:35,52,62,75*; Mosiah 28:13, 20; Ether 3:22-23; 4:5; Alma 37:21, 24-25

“In Joseph Smith’s day, some individuals claimed that they had a gift to “see,” or receive divine or supernatural messages, through seer stones. These beliefs came from the Bible and from European cultural traditions brought to early America by immigrants.” Church History Gospel Topics-Seer Stones.

Many so-called seer stones or peep-stones were found all over New York. Joseph Smith is known to have a brown and a white stone that were not used for translation. Hewever, most people who knew joseph also knew he possessed certain stones as they claim he looked for hidden treasure many said. Joseph said about his treasure hunting,”

Martin Harris said there was a Curtain

“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).

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.

Elder Maxwell said, “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

“Demonstration” or “Hat as a Prop”?

Jonathan Neville in his podcast with Greg Matsen (See my blog yesterday here), spoke about how he believes it is possible that Joseph Smith showed many of the Whitmer’s a “demonstration” of the stone in the hat. It is a very interesting possibility but I don’t think it is correct. In my opinion I have a question about Joseph showing a demonstration to appease others curiosity and I don’t think that was necessary. I will address this question more now.

I don’t think Joseph was obligated to show anyone a sneak preview so to speak. I believe more likely the breastplate was being hidden under Joseph’s shirt, and the spectacles hidden with the obstruction of a hat as a prop only, which I think it is a better possibility. As usual, you all can decide for yourself, and you can also contribute what you feel happened. None of us know for sure. Thanks for your consideration.

Jonathan about a Demonstration

Jonathan quotes the words of David Whitmer below while explaining the blanket David Whitmer said was put across the front window of the Whitmer’s front room, not between the scribe and Joseph while translating.

“In order to give privacy to the proceeding a blanket, which served as a portière, was stretched across the family living room to shelter the translators and the plates from the eyes of any who might call at the house while the work was in progress. This, Mr. Whitmer says, was the only use made of the blanket, and it was not for the purpose of concealing the plates or the translator from the eyes of the amanuensis. In fact, Smith was at no time hidden from his collaborators, and the translation was performed in the presence of not only the persons mentioned, but of the entire Whitmer household and several of Smith’s relatives besides.” David Whitmer, as interviewed by the Chicago Tribune (1885).  “The Book of Mormon,” Chicago Tribune, December 17, 1885

In regards to the above quote, my good friend and associate Jonathan Neville believes it is possible that Joseph Smith showed many of the Whitmer’s a demonstration of the stone in the hat. It is a very interesting idea, but I don’t think it is correct. In my opinion I have a question about Joseph showing a demonstration to appease others curiosity and I don’t think that was necessary. I don’t think Joseph was obligated to show anyone a sneak preview so to speak. As you read my idea about the breastplate under Joseph’s shirt and the spectacles hidden with the hat as a prop only, I think it is a better possibility. As usual, you all can decide for yourself, and you can also contribute what you feel happened. None of us know for sure. Jonathan and I are in total agreement otherwise, as Jonathan said, “The story that doesn’t work is the currently popular narrative that Joseph Smith never translated anything, that he merely read words off a stone in a hat (and it doesn’t matter whether that was a “peep stone” he found in a well or the spectacles, if he didn’t even use the plates), and Joseph and Oliver misled people by claiming he translated the engravings on the plates by means of the Nephite interpreters.” Jonathan Neville In speaking about the demonstration, Jonathan says, “He [Joseph Smith] realized he could just do a demonstration of the process by just reciting Isaiah from memory. So he went downstairs, put the stone in the hat, recited Isaiah, and the three scribes wrote it as fast as they could to keep up… On this one occasion, the demonstration, he was dictating so fast that he had three scribes and they were getting tired and had to take turns, which is not the normal manner of translation. That’s why I propose, anyway, that he was reciting from memory looking at the stone in the hat.” Jonathan Neville, A Man that can Translate

David Whitmer’s Displeasure of Joseph Smith

The biggest problem I have with David Whitmer’s quote above, is just before he was quoted, David in the same interview said some very nasty things about Joseph. I quote below.

“A miracle is related by Mr. [David] Whitmer as occurring while the translation was in progress. It seems that [Joseph] Smith, [Jr.], who was puffed up with his great importance as a confidential secretary to the Lord, displeased the Master by entering into some carnal confab in relation to the work…

Smith’s offense of tattling the secrets of the works among his neighbors was less readily condoned, and for a long time the work was suspended, the angel being in possession of the plates and spectacles. Finally, when Smith had fully repented of his rash conduct, he was forgiven. The plates, however, were not returned, but instead Smith was given by the angel, a Urim and Thummim of another pattern, it being shaped in oval or kidney form. This seer’s stone [seerstone] he was instructed to place in his hat, and on covering his face with the hat the character and translation would appear on the stone.

This worked just as satisfactory as the old method, but at no time thereafter was the backsliding Joseph [Smith, Jr.] intrusted with the precious plates.” David Whitmer, as interviewed by the Chicago Tribune (1885).  “The Book of Mormon,” Chicago Tribune, December 17, 1885

These quotes for me are hard to even believe anything David Whitmer said regarding the translation of the plates. I am thankful that David Whitmer never denied his witness about the truth of the Book of Mormon, but about Joseph as a person David was not very kind.

Jonathan then said, “True, there are plenty of accounts of the stone-in-a-hat process, but as I’ve pointed out, a careful reading of these accounts is consistent with a demonstration, not the actual translation of the plates…

To summarize, David was never a scribe; he could only have witnessed a demonstration, not the actual translation with the plates and Urim and Thummim. He didn’t even see the plates until after the translation was complete and he became one of the Three Witnesses. [Editors note. David could have seen Joseph in another room or pass by him while he was translating and David may have only seen the hat and not the stone in the hat. Or, more likely in my opinion, David and others may have seen the hat being used as a prop so Joseph could hide the glasses from being in the immediate view of anyone, like in the picture below].

Jonathan continues, “Martin Harris’ statements are consistent with the demonstration explanation. He, too, never saw the plates or the interpreters until he became one of the Three Witnesses. If he knew those objects weren’t even used for the translation, why would he have been so insistent on seeing them? Emma’s statement is not believable for several reasons that I’ll discuss in part 3.” Jonathan Neville http://www.moronisamerica.com/peep-stones-vs-urim-and-thummim-part-2

Editors Opinion Continued

In my opinion It could have been very easy for Martin or Emma or David to have witnessed Joseph sitting just before or after translating, and these people only saw the hat but nothing that was in it. I think because these three people knew Joseph did have several seer stones, a white one and a chocolate one, they just assumed it was one of those stones in Joseph’s hat. I believe however a hat, [not a top hat, but a farmers hat] was most likely used to block the view of the translators from seeing the glasses so their vision was like in the picture below you just saw above.

Some of the 12 people spoken of by Elder Maxwell may have thought Joseph had one of his stones in a hat, when in reality he used the hat as a prop to block out these people from seeing the glasses, and the breastplate was secured under Joseph shirt, in order to not be seen. This I believe is a better explanation than a “demonstration” being done by Joseph, as Jonathan has suggested. Obviously either of us could be correct.

“Why doesn’t anyone in the Church write very much about the critical role of the Breastplate during the translation process?”

Has anyone asked about the Breastplate?

Where did Joseph hide the breastplate and spectacles each day?
If Joseph used a seer stone to translate, where did he keep the breastplate and spectacles? Joseph was commanded to not show the plates or the breastplate or spectacles to anyone, did he obey that command?
Why was the breastplate and spectacles in the same stone box with the gold plates?
Who put the breastplate and spectacles in the stone box?
Who was the first one who possessed the breastplate and spectacles?
Why does it seem that the breastplate and spectacles were always mentioned together? What are other names for the breastplate and the spectacles as one unit? Interpreters
Urim and Thummim
Directors
Instruments
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?

Why I don’t Believe the Demonstration Idea

• Joseph wouldn’t allow the perception that his demonstration was the actual translation being shown if it wasn’t. It seems deceiving to me, and I know Joseph did not deceive.
• As Joseph was told to not show the plates, or the breastplate or the spectacles, none of those who participated in the demonstration saw any of that. Maybe they saw the rock and the hat, but why would Joseph want them to see a rock in a hat?
• I don’t necessarily believe the David Whitmer quote from the Chicago Tribune above, that a blanket covered the front of the first story room so others could not see if they came to the door. Just how long did this demonstration last? Wouldn’t the blanket make neighbors even more curious as to what was going on?
• The Chicago quote says that each time they would open with a prayer. How many times did they do the demonstration and how much time did the Whitmer’s loose on their farm work? Did the demonstration go on for a few days or a few weeks?
• Why would Joseph recite Isaiah from memory as Jonathan says, and have Whitmer’s and others write it down during the demonstration, as Joseph supposedly read the stone in a hat with his memorized lines of Isaiah?
• Why would Joseph have unauthorized scribes to actually write down some of Isaiah that Joseph had memorized, or even let the scribes know that some of Isaiah’s words were contained in the Book of Mormon?
• Why would Joseph have to show the demonstration and have it include sacred writings that the others could hear?
• The demonstration says nothing about the breastplate. Where was it and didn’t Joseph need it to translate every time?
• Jonathan doesn’t mention how the breastplate was used with the spectacles, but I feel the two items had to be used together as many scriptures speak to that method.

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

Nowhere in scripture does it say, Joseph used a stone in a hat to translate!

These quotes above should stand on their own as direct witnesses of Joseph Smith’s method of translation, as seen below.

.” “These Stones Fastened to a Breastplate…” JSH 1:35 by Ann Marie Oborn. Never a curtain as the Lord gave Joseph permission to show items to Oliver.

FASTENED TO A BREASTPLATE- Heaven and Earth

JSH 1:35 “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.“ The breastplate and the spectacles fastened to each other and made the Urim and Thummim or what “the Nephites called, Interpreters.”

I believe having the Spectacles fastened or attached to the breastplate was very critical, and it is not explained by any scholars or leaders.Why would the breastplate be in the sacred stone box with the spectacles, and not be important?

To me, the reason the two items were with the Gold Plates, was the Lord provided them as the ONLY instruments to be used to assist Joseph with the “Proper” Translation. Think of how important symbolism is the the Lord. He constantly provides physical instruments to men on earth that help us understand the things of the spirit world better.

Elder Oaks said, “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.

The breastplate could represent the heart, protection, and sincerity and the spectacles may represent the mind, intellect, and understanding. Together with the spectacles and the breastplate fastened together, they represent what we could call the “Gift and Power of God”. It’s a statement that is hard to explain, but easy for the power of the Lord who can do all things.

Constantly Upon His Person

The Prophet Joseph Smith with these items “constantly upon his person” [Lucy Mack Smith], and the breastplate fitting exactly over his breast, [Lucy Mack Smith], 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 could help him with. 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. At any time, the glasses could be retrieved from the pocket, fastened quickly to the breastplate, and available to receive revelation or translate the Book of Mormon at any time. 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. As Joseph said to his mother, “I can see anything.” Lucy Mack Smith said, 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 become. What a blessing and what a wonderful Prophet over the dispensation of the Fullness of Times. Joseph leads the eternities in his special mission.

In my opinion Joseph wore the breastplate under his shirt “constantly” and the glasses were hidden in a pouch at the back of the breastplate closest to Joseph’s heart. Like below:

“Joseph kept the urim and thumim constantly about his person an[d] he could by this means ascertain at any moment whether <​if​> 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 situ what had occurred he told her that the record was perfectly safe for the pre[s]ent. but he <​however​> concluded to go home with her and told Wells that his business at home made it necessary for him to return.” Source​

William Smith Quotes

With these quotes below, I am assuming William Smith saw the Urim and Thummim and maybe even the translation process. 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. 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.)

My Summary

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 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 the Book of Mormon that anything other than “The Interpreters” were used for translation.
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.

By the Gift and Power of God

This is my description of how one may define by the gift and Power of God. I don’t mean to say I know for sure, but I have been sure impressed with an idea that I don’t think has been thought of before. The breastplate under Joseph’s shirt, the glasses in a pouch in the back of the breastplate while in transport, and the single rod of the glasses attached to the breastplate in front of Joseph’s eyes while translating.

Because Oliver is the only other person allowed to see the plates, the breastplate and the glasses, this painting would be an accurate protrayal of the scene of the Proper translation. 

Cowdery Saw all Three Sacred Articles.

“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