How did you first learn Joseph Smith translated the BOM using peepstone?

[Indy Coug]

If that were the case, then you'd think that the'd have taught us how he really did it, instead of the other way.

Regardless of why they did or didn't, now that you know, what's the big deal?

[Jacob]

Regardless of why they did or didn't, now that you know, what's the big deal?

I kinda feel mislead.

It doesn't fit with what I was taught my whole life about how he and other prophets received revelation. Having been taught the other way, we learn biases. Other people's (non-lds) claims of revelation seemed outlandish. Then you learn that Joseph's method was a bit outlandish.

[jay santos]

Regardless of why they did or didn't, now that you know, what's the big deal?

I'm not sure if learning at a younger age through an authorized source would have changed the eventual outcome or not, but I have to admit I was somewhat traumatized to learn the truth on this subject the way I did. Others can accuse that as a sign of immaturity, I don't know. But it is what it is.

edit: think about it. An educated member in his 30's spent his whole life active in the church spending thousands of hours studying and teaching the gospel, learning a basic truth like that from a South Park episode. How can that not be somewhat traumatic?

[Pheidippides]

Regardless of why they did or didn't, now that you know, what's the big deal?

I'm with you on this one. Found out a few years ago. Can't remember how. "oh, so he looked at a rock in a hat instead of using magical eyeglasses mounted in armor" was my thought.

I knew nothing about the juicier aspects of church history ten years ago. I know most everything now. I either trust in my experiences or I don't.


My iPhone using Tapatalk is a peepstone

[Indy Coug]

edit: think about it. An educated member in his 30's spent his whole life active in the church spending thousands of hours studying and teaching the gospel, learning a basic truth like that from a South Park episode. How can that not be somewhat traumatic?

The basic truth is that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God. The particulars of how God's power was manifested is historical curiosity and very secondary to the basic truth.

[All-American]

Not sure if wuap is serious or not but I learned about the stone in the felt hat here. I knew about the treasure seeking and I had heard about peepstones, but I didn't realize that the vast majority, if not all, of the BOM was translated with a stone in a hat. Apparently I lived a very sheltered life...

Any source for "vast majority, if not all"? I've understood that there were several accounts of how he did it, not all of them consistent.

By the by, I do respect the fact that it can be a little upsetting not to have gotten this historical fact from the expected, usual, or "designated" channels. Getting information like this requires a paradigm shift of sorts for a lot of people who aren't expecting it. Any time a new fact conflicts with an old understanding, it places the learner in the position of having to adopt a new view of the world, and this is not always an easy or painless transition.

That said, I wouldn't think that this particular fact would encourage a paradigm shift towards a world view less favorable of mormonism. If a testimony is based on a spiritual witness of this book and the belief that it is a work of such a quality that Joseph Smith could not have written it, you have to admit, it's all the more impressive that he literally pulled the thing out of his hat.

[clackamascoug]

As a very orthodox person, I can't really remember not knowing. I just assumed that it was a variation, of the seer stones mentioned in D&C 130. Joseph Smith's story is so "out there" with a personal meet & greet with the Father & Son, Angels with bare bosom's visiting him in his room late at night, stone boxes, gold plates, ancient swords, Peter, James, John, hill of Cumorah opening up with wagon loads of metal plates, seer stones, peepers for short. It all made sense to me as a small child, and helped formulate my "anything goes" mentality.

As an adult, in about 1993, I got my first real computer. I was trying to work with the sunlight washing out the screen, and I couldn't see a thing. I got up to close the blinds, and then the Still Small Voice whispered... "That's why Joseph used a Top Hat." I had been studying the early church history, and the hat was never a cognizant thought, yet, I was still educated about it's purpose.

To me the real question is... does God use mechanical/electronic tools as part of his governing process? I think yes. The whole globe of sea and glass where He lives sounds just like a server with nodes, and a password system to access the information contained therein.

The seer stone we will receive in the CK, will probably kick butt on my Blackberry Bold. I can't wait for real time streaming HD video.

My edit will reflect... What is a scepter of righteousness, and what is it's purpose?

[Sullyute]

Any source for "vast majority, if not all"?

Rough Stone Rolling. You are right that there were several different accounts from Emma, Oliver, Martin and David Whitmer. However, if I remember right, the book outlines that Joseph use several different methods at first, but after the 116 pages were lost the main method was through the stone in the hat. Since the 116 pages were lost, then the "vast majority" of the current BOM was "translated" with the stone in the hat.

I would have to go back and re-read to make sure, but I am comfortable saying that it was the vast majority. The "if not all" was just rhetoric as we are simply not 100% sure.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I have no idea what you people are talking about. This is how it happened:

[Slim]

Interesting to see an LDS reference here:

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[Flystripper]

I have no idea what you people are talking about. This is how it happened:

what the crap there was a gold book?

[jay santos]

what the crap there was a gold book?

Is it just me or does anyone have a reaction to those bottom two pictures that feel very disrespectful to Joseph Smith to the point where it is an actual physical response. It's the same response I would have of seeing someone openly making fun of temple clothes or something.

[Slim]

Is it just me or does anyone have a reaction to those bottom two pictures that feel very disrespectful to Joseph Smith to the point where it is an actual physical response. It's the same response I would have of seeing someone openly making fun of temple clothes or something.

It's just you. I have more of a reaction to the first picture since I know it is the least historically accurate of the three.

[Indy Coug]

We all know there is only one way to skin a cat.


Signed,

Thomas Edison and the Brother of Jared

[Slim]

We all know there is only one way to skin a cat.


Signed,

Thomas Edison and the Brother of Jared

Noah did it first.