Keywords
Joseph Smith, seer stone, Book of Mormon
Abstract
Joseph Smith’s use of a seer stone and hat in producing the Book of Mormon has been a point of confusion, dismay, and even embarrassment among some believers. These feelings may reflect a lack of understanding of the functions of these objects in enabling Joseph to receive divine revelation. As the term was used in the Bible and commonly used in Joseph Smith’s day, a seer was a “seer” of visions. Accordingly, a seer stone was a stone used for seeing visions. Joseph was reported to have used seer stones to receive the translation of the Book of Mormon in vision. This is how he reportedly described the experience of translation to others. According to these reports, Joseph said that he read the translation from a manuscript that appeared before him. The revelation of the Book of Mormon translation to Joseph in vision places him in the company of ancient seers such as Ezekiel and Lehi, who also read from sacred manuscripts seen in vision. This paper specifically addresses the nature of Joseph’s hat and its function in the revelation of the translation of the Book of Mormon.
Recommended Citation
Spencer, Stan
(2025)
"Seeing with a Hat: How Joseph Smith Used a Hat in Translating the Book of Mormon,"
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship: Vol. 64, Article 22.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/interpreter/vol64/iss1/22
