These are the most detailed descriptions of the interpreters attributed to David Whitmer. . Joseph Knight's description of the stones as glasses made sense within a cultural perspective in which a glass was an instrument used to see what was otherwise invisible, and even opaque seer stones were called glasses. The specific rejection of this phrase by JosephSmith or his scribe suggests that whatever the transparent stones looked like, they were not, exactly, clear as crystal.. None of the descriptions of the interpreters in these accounts can be taken at face value, except for JosephSmiths description in the Manuscript History of the Church, Lucy MackSmiths description in the original 18441845 dictated manuscript of her history, and Martin Harriss 1859 description. A Conduit for Messages. The Urim (OOR-reem) and Thummim (THOOM-meem) were mysterious objects used by the ancient Israelites to determine God's will, and although they are mentioned several times in the Bible, Scripture does not give a description of what they were or what they looked like. Explore biblical theology and the science of God's creation every other week. In the Talmud, there is an idea that the Urim and Thummim were 4 stones, 3 of which had the names of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and 1 with the word tribe carved on their surfaces. 8:8), where there is no mention of the twelve stones. 2 Its function was to serve as an oracle, divining whether or not the Jewish people should take a certain course of action. October 2015 Joseph the Seer By Richard E. Turley Jr., Assistant Church Historian and Recorder, Robin S. Jensen and Mark Ashurst-McGee, Church History Department The historical record clarifies how Joseph Smith fulfilled his role as a seer and translated the Book of Mormon. This explanation does bring discomfort to many faithful students of Scripture. document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); Knight had previously referred to one of JosephSmiths seer stones as his glass.32 Ezra Booth called JosephSmiths brown seer stone adark glass.33 Aneighbor had aseer stone Lucy MackSmith called agreen glass.34 Peter Bauder, aminister who interviewed JosephSmith at the Whitmer home in 1830, referred to the interpreters as a glass.35 Isaac Hale, JosephSmiths father-in-law, reported that JosephSmith referred to his use of seer stones to search for buried items as glass-looking.36 Accordingly, the two seer stones comprising the interpreters, whether clear or not, would be two glasses., In JosephSmiths day, glass was also acommon term for atelescope, spy-glass, or other instrument used for viewing distant objects, and it may have been by analogy to such instruments that seer stones were called glasses.37 According to Lucy MackSmiths history, JosephSmith had areputation for using his seer stone to discern things that could not be seen by the natural eye.38 Joseph Knight quotes JosephSmith as saying, after using the interpreters, I can see any thing they are Marvelus.. t +1 724-733-8336, CANADA The Hebrew writing on the stone is a sticker. It was their way of deferring ultimate leadership to Gods will. Urim and Thummim - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Bible Discovery is an international media ministry invested in educating, edifying and encouraging the believer to think and boldly explore the Truth. (Mosiah 28:13, 16). This statement appears to be an amalgamation of descriptions of the interpreters and JosephSmiths brown seer stone. Now the way he translated was he put the urim and thummim into his hat and Darkned his Eyes then he would take asentence and it would apper in Brite Roman Letters then he would tell the writer and he would write it.19, The other firsthand accounts by those who saw JosephSmith translate or heard him describe the process are consistent with these descriptions. Their use. An article published in aPalmyra newspaper in 1825 described astone used for treasure hunting which becomes transparent when placed in ahat and the light excluded by the face of him who looks into it.50 After describing the interpreter stones as having the appearance of white marble, Martin Harris said that he dared not look into them by placing them in the hat, [Page 234]as though placing the stones in ahat would have made them clear. Youve come to the right place! 7. Some feel that "Urim and Thummim" is another name for the casting of lots, rather than a device (or stones, etc.) In apamphlet he published in 1883, WilliamSmith wrote, [H]e translated them by means of the Urim and Thummim, (which he obtained with the plates), and the power of God. This was in contrast to Moses, who was believed to speak to God directly, and indicated that Joshua would not normally receive direct revelation. The manner in which this was done was by looking into the Urim and Thummim, which was placed in ahat to exclude the [Page 227]light, (the plates lying near by covered up), and reading off the translation, which appeared in the stone by the power of God.18. So how do we reconcile the apparent discrepancy between God outlawing divination while also sanctioning a certain kind of divination? Public collections can be seen by the public, including other shoppers, and may show up in recommendations and other places. But let's crack open what we do know about Urim and Thummim. Joseph Knights description of the stones as glasses made sense within acultural perspective in which aglass was an instrument used to see what was otherwise invisible, and even opaque seer stones were called glasses. It's a couple of paragraphs from Dr. Bruce Waltke's excellent book (which I highly recommend), entitled, "Finding the Will of God" (pp. They were used by the high priest to determine God's will in some situations. (10% off). Brother Joseph would read off the English to Oliver Cowdery, who was his principal scribe, and when it was written down and repeated to Brother Joseph to see if it was correct, then it would disappear, and another character with the interpretation would appear. v t e In the Hebrew Bible, the Urim ( Hebrew: rm, "lights") and the Thummim ( Hebrew: Tummm, meaning uncertain, possibly "perfections") are elements of the hoshen, the breastplate worn by the High Priest attached to the ephod. Christian Standard Bible Place the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece for decisions, so that they will also be over Aaron's heart whenever he comes before the LORD. Because of this context, some traditions hold that the choosing of Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot in the book of Acts by the casting of lot was done by Urim and Thummim, rather than by "the" Urim and Thummim. It is my understanding that the stone refer[r]ed to was furnished him when he commenced translating again after losing the 116 pages. Image Joseph Smith profile There was a problem subscribing you to this newsletter. What Were the Urim and Thummim? - Chabad.org What Does Urim and Thummim Mean? Bible Definition and References Thus, there is no obvious reason for the interpreter stones to have been clear, as Pratt described them. The best we have are two reports from individuals who heard him describe the translation process. An ephod would have 12 different stones and perhaps the Urim and Thummim made up two out of 12 of these stones. Golden plates - Wikipedia They were joined by around bar of silver, about three-eighths of an inch in diameter, and about four inches long, which, with the two stones, would make eight inches. She is quoted as calling the interpreters large bright diamonds set in abow like apair of spectacles in an 1842 interview with Henry Caswall, and her husband apparently referred to the interpreters as diamond or diamonds in an 1830 interview with Fayette Lapham.60 Both the Caswall and Lapham reports contain many inaccuracies, but the reference to diamond or diamonds in each does seem significant. We've sent you an email to confirm your subscription. Corie Bobechko is a daily co-host, speaker, and writer of Bible Discovery. Despite extensive descriptions of the High Priests outfit, as well as the 12 stones of the breast piece (Exodus 28, 39) the Bible is surprisingly silent on the Urim and Thummim themselves. They were not clear like eyeglasses but were transparent in the sense that they, like other seer stones, could be looked into by aperson gifted as aseer of visions. The Urim and Thummim are fortune-telling stones that are meant to represent Lights and Perfections. Urim and Thummim, generally translated as "lights and perfections" or "revelation and truth" were a scrying medium or divination process used by ancient Hebrews (usually Israelites) in revealing the will of God on a contested point of view or other problem. Shipping policies may vary, but some of our sellers may offer free shipping when you purchase from them. ), rather than a device that is used as a medium. Shape and size may vary slightly. Sale Price 13,521 Others described them as smooth stones, diamonds, or glasses. Urim and Tummim | My Jewish Learning And whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer. There is also evidence that the medium was used as an ordeal to establish a person's guilt or innocence. 1 According to most traditions, the Urim and Thummim were a piece of parchment with Gd 's four-letter name written on it. When quoting such accounts, which may have been written from memory hours or even years after an interview, we cannot simply say Lucy MackSmith said , or According to David Whitmer , or Oliver Cowdery testified under oath that To be used responsibly, each account must be evaluated for credibility, its possible meanings explored in light of the [Page 242]culture and language of the time and place of its writing, and its claims tested against other sources. Where the Urim and Thummim was specifically given to Joseph Smith for the translation, the stone is always some accidental discovery. Engage the tougher questions and mature a deeper understanding of worship and worldview with apologetics and theology. Urim and Thummim Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY In the letter, Jones reports what he learned from Cowdery: He stated that Smith looked into or through the transparent stones to translate what was on the plates. All of our articles are available thanks to your generous donations. Interpreter Foundation is not owned, controlled by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He likely would have been permitted to observe Joseph translating. The high priest wore the breastplate (breastpiece, RSV, NEB) of judgment (q.v.) Stevensons account differs from Harriss detailed description in calling the interpreters clear stones. Note, however, that these are not presented as Harriss words. Neither does it call the instrument spectacles but simply notes the similarity in construction. If Harris spoke of looking into the stones as he did in his 1859 account, especially after having compared them to spectacles, Stevenson may have just assumed the stones were clear, and that assumption may have influenced his memory and choice of words. on the front of the ephod (q.v. By Paracelsus (1493-1541) . Here's probably the best word on the Urim and Thummim. This decision making was to be done in the presence of the Lord, presumably in the Tabernacle, by the High Priest, at the request of the leader of Israel. Near the end of his life, in aletter he wrote to the Times and Seasons, JosephSmith quoted Mormon 9:3234 and then stated: Here then the subject is put to silence, for none other people knoweth our language, therefore the Lord, and not man, had to interpret, after the people were dead.12, According to these accounts, JosephSmiths part in translating the BookofMormon was not amatter of interpreting but of reading atext that God provided.13 In his other published statements, JosephSmith gave little additional information, indicating only that he translated [Page 226][t]hrough the medium of the Urim and Thummim by the gift, and power of God.14. try { The Seer Stone was separate and distinct from the Urim and Thummim The Urim ("lights") and Thummim ("perfections") were gemstones that were carried by the high priest of Israel on the ephod / priestly garments. 1 At one end was attached arod which was connected with the outer edge of the right shoulder of the breast-plate. The accounts of these interviews are inconsistent in many details, probably due mostly to the interviewers inability to accurately remember and convey what Whitmer had told them. The main difference is that the descriptions attributed to WilliamSmith mention two lengths of wire extending between the stones, while Harris mentions asingle round bar. All these detailed descriptions refer to the interpreters simply as stones (not diamonds, glasses, or spectacles) and describe them as set too far apart to be worn like eyeglasses. Afew of these accounts are presented or summarized below. were the twelve stones on the breastplate. They were held by the 9" by 9" ornate fabric breast piece of the high priest's garb that was decorated by 12 stones, each carved with a name of an Israelite tribe. Other Jewish traditions envision messages from God being spelled out by a miraculous light or a vision sees the carved letters standing out from the names carved on the stones of the breast piece. View Etsys Privacy Policy. Looking to shop urim and thummim stones? We asked him what was meant by the expression, two rims of abow, which held the former. Ancient Jewish History: The Urim & Thummim Category Aaron Academies in Babylonia and Erez Israel Administration of Judaea After Exile Age of Patriarchs Agriculture Akkadian Language Alchemy Amoraim Amulet Anatomy Ancient Greeks & Jews Apostle Aramaic Archaeology Architecture and Architects Ark of Covenant Ashkenaz Assimilation Av Bet Din How is it like divination? Most other accounts describing the interpreters are secondhand at best, and many include terminology used differently in the past. Because of this context, some traditions hold that the choosing of Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot in the book of Acts by the casting of lot was done by Urim and Thummim, rather than by "the" Urim and Thummim. It is brown, banded, opaque, oblong, and about two inches in length. This term may explain the small number of mentions of the Urim and Thummim in the Bible, for something that Joshua and presumably the following leaders of Israel used quite often. Second, the prophet Samuels chastisement of Saul may be helpful. Monthly letters and recent news from Bible Discovery's lead pastor. There were other errors in the report, and Whitmer soon wrote aletter of correction to the editor: I notice several errors in the interview had with me by one of your reporters as published in the DAILY JOURNAL of June 5th, 81, and wish to correct them. The Rabbis understood the Urim and Tummim to be part of the breastplate of . Here the two stones are transparent and set in the rim of abow. Although JosephSmith may have written parts of Church History himself or more likely dictated them to one of his scribes, some of the text was borrowed from at least one other source. Two descriptive phrases that have disproportionately influenced the popular perception of the interpreters three-cornered diamonds set in glass and clear as crystal are especially dubious. The extraordinary size of the spectacles is also attested by descriptions attributed to DavidWhitmer and WilliamSmith that will be discussed below, as well as by other sources. Dig into the history, archaeology, and theology of the Bible every other week. The earliest source that expands the term "Urim and Thummim" outside the biblical context is a reverse association William W. Phelps made on Hosea 3:4 in July 1832, stating that the children of Israel "were even to do without the Teraphim, [Urim & Thummim, perhaps] or sacred spectacles or declarers." Thus the BookofMormon was translated by the gift and power of God, and not by any power of man. In Joseph Knights account quoted previously, he calls the interpreters glasses yet notes they were used, not by wearing them, but by placing them in ahat. 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. According to the legend, Urim and Thummin and other recovered treasure were placed back in the temple treasury. A proof text for this view may be in the verse, And he placed the breastplate upon him; and in the breastplate he put the Urim and the Thummim (Lev. (10% off), Sale Price 3,470 How this process worked has been a matter of discussion. The portion of this history describing the interpreters was first published in Times and Seasons in April 1842: [Page 232]Also that there were two stones in silver bows, and these stones fastened to abreastplate constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim.39. The Alchemist Symbols & Motifs | SuperSummary 224,420, 249,355 When did they stop being used? t +1 519-940-8338. This statement is similar to Martin Harriss 1859 description of the interpreters, although less detailed. Sellers looking to grow their business and reach more interested buyers can use Etsys advertising platform to promote their items. In his history of JosephSmiths early life, Joseph Knight describes JosephSmiths reaction to obtaining the interpreters and gold plates and how he used the interpreters in translating. Stevensons account agrees that the interpreters were too large to be used as spectacles. WilliamSmith imparted to us much information regarding other things, but this is about all Iremember with regard to the Urim and Thummim. Isaiah, Amos, and Micah also saw the words of the Lord (Isaiah 1:12; Amos 1:13; Micah 1:16). When first obtained by the Jaredites, the interpreters were simply two stones (Ether 3:23, 28). EIN: 46-0869962. Those partners may have their own information theyve collected about you. Reconciling these various descriptions and determining the actual appearance of the interpreters requires an assessment of the credibility of each source and an understanding of how the interpreters were used in translating. The farther Jonah runs from God the closer he gets to death. This oracular means apparently consisted of a material object or objects since it was physically stored in the breastpiece of the high priest ( Exod 28:30 ; Lev 8:8 ). We remained with him at his home in Osterdock, Iowa, for several days, and our conversation often turned upon the early scenes with which he and his fathers family were connected during the rise of the church. Set where you live, what language you speak and the currency you use. Apocket was prepared in the breastplate on the left side, immediately over the heart. What Are Urim and Thummim? Gemstones and Crystals are used in communication harmonics, to amplify energy, and to shift grids. My statement was and now is that in translating he put the stone in his hat and putting his face in his hat so as to exclude the light and that then the light and characters appeared in the hat together with the interpretation which he uttered and was written by the scribe and which was tested at the time as stated.66, As to the interview published in the Kansas City Journal of June 5th 1881 there were So many Errors in it as published that Ifelt compelled to correct what Ithought to be the most damaging Errors and Even in publishing the Statement Correcting their former publication where Ihad written Seers Stone they made it read Sun Stone.67. We must use these descriptions [Page 241]with caution, however. David Whitmer left no firsthand description of the interpreters, although they are mentioned in reports of some of the many interviews he gave to newspaper correspondents and others.
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