Joseph Smith Translating the Golden Plates
September 20, 2007
In the July 1993 Ensign article, “A Treasured Testament”, Elder Russell M. Nelson quotes David Whitmer (an early member of the LDS Church and signatory to the 1830 statement, The Testimony of Three Witnesses) for a succinct summary of Joseph Smith’s method of translating the language etched on the Golden Plates into the Book of Mormon:
“Joseph Smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light; and in the darkness the spiritual light would shine. A piece of something resembling parchment would appear, and on that appeared the writing. One character at a time would appear, and under it was the interpretation in English. 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. Thus the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God, and not by any power of man.” (David Whitmer, An Address to All Believers in Christ,, 1887, p. 12.)
The image above depicts Joseph Smith translating the Book of Lehi, with Martin Harris (another signatory to The Testimony of Three Witnesses) serving as his scribe. Harris reported that Joseph, while translating, “would sit in a different room, or up stairs.” (See Grant Palmer, An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins, 2002, p. 10. See also, E.B. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed, 1834, p. 14, reproduced here and here).
No eyewitness account of Joseph Smith’s translation process includes him reading (or making any other direct use of) the Golden Plates. Martin Harris, Emma Smith, and others stated that while Joseph dictated the text of the Book of Mormon, the plates were concealed in a box or under a cloth, or even buried outside in the woods or in the mountains. (See An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins, pp. 2-4.)
Despite the existence of Elder Nelson’s 1993 article, Joseph Smith’s method of translating the Golden Plates does not seem to be widely known amongst members of the LDS Church. One reason for this may be the inaccurate imagery utilized in official LDS Church publications and presentations to depict the process. Click here and here and here for several examples of this.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
This is a nice drawing. I haven’t seen very many of these. You should tell people that this is the most extreme possible interpretation of the historical accounts.
Your link to the LDS Church website seems misleading too. I hope you are not trying to imply that there is some kind of Church coverup here, because I don’t think that is true. The Church must use the images that artists create, and while the artists obviously excel at capturing the miraculous spirit of the translation of the Book of Mormon, we ought to forgive them for not being historians. I think this trend among artists will change soon because the story is becoming more and more available for people who want to find out about it. For example, it was freely described just this spring in the PBS presentation “The Mormons”.
There are probably better uses for artistic talent than this.
RBO
September 10th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
I don’t think this image represents the most extreme possible interpretation of the historical record. The artist has based this drawing on the Martin Harris account to emphasize the fact that, according to the known eyewitnesses, the elements of the actual translation process were radically different from what most people would expect the translation of an ancient document to look like. I assume you feel the “extreme” aspect of this image is Joseph Smith sitting up the stairs, above the scribe. I believe the Harris account is, in all other material respects, consistent with the other eyewitness accounts. Please let us know if that is incorrect.
I’m not trying to imply that there is a Church conspiracy to cover up this information, but I think you should give LDS artists more credit than you are giving them. Having artistic talent does not mean that they can’t figure out how to research their subject matter. They produce art to meet demand, and apparently the demand for accurate Mormon historical art is not sufficient to justify artists’ efforts to produce it. Correct me if I’m wrong, but the LDS Church itself seems to provide a significant portion of the demand for new Mormon art. I don’t think the Church is at the mercy of the artists — in fact, I believe the exact opposite is true.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I have to note that being up the stairs (or upstairs) is different than sitting on the stairs.
February 14th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
I appreciate your wonderful art work. I too belong to a restoration church and my hobby for the past 30 years is the study of the Latter Day Saint movement.Your representations appear to be true to the history of the church.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Stephen M (Ethesis),
Are you noting what you see as a material problem with the image? What is the difference between what the Martin Harris account says (”up stairs”) and what is depicted in the image?
-JV
June 30th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Great Post
July 20th, 2008 at 1:16 am
Thanks JV, I just stumbled across your site today. I’m glad you were able to put your historically accurate artwork in a place where people can see it. Thank you very much.
August 17th, 2008 at 4:48 am
I know that Joseph Smith is and was a prophet of God. I know what voices or promptings that Joseph’s heard, I myself experienced it too and I know that I am not the only one. Because of that experience, nomatter how much you are trying to prove that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not a true church, it will not and will not change my heart. I do not claim myself to be another prophet, I claim myself as one of the witnesses of what Joseph’s had. Because of that experience I had for I followed what book of James (in the Bible) said, ask in faith, nothing wavering…I did it and nothing and nothing can shake my faith in LDS church. I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:33 am
Bernagen,
Your post reminds me of an article I wrote last year. You can find it HERE. With that analysis in mind, do you think the advice given in the Book of James (see verses 5-7, in particular) is similar at all to the persuasive techniques employed in Moroni’s Promise?
-JV
September 12th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
This website is pure crap! The author needs to get a life, and find something more constructive to do than pull down the faith of others! Those of us who believe Joseph Smith was a prophet believe because of the feelings of the Spirit we have experienced. As much as people like the author of this website enjoy tearing down the Church, he/she can never challenge the convictions of our hearts. Sure, some things in early MOrmon history are a bit bizarre, but who cares? Details such as Joseph translating the Book of Mormon with his hat over his face conform well to the fundamental principle we are taught from the Book of Mormon, that by small and simple means, great things are brought about. By the way, your pencil work sucks! Your figures are completely non-animated - look like statues. YOu should go back to art school - provided you ever went.
September 17th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Mark
you are being ridiculous and hilariously defensive. Who gives a fuck? What difference does your little lds-sided opinion make? I get awesome feelings every time I go visit the mosque in my area (and no, I am not muslim). Are these awesome feelings from the “holy spirit”? What difference is your testimony to that of practicing Hindu or Jehovah’s witness? Which one is true? I live in the centre of the LDS culture, I attend your sacrament meetings and listen to all your testimonies, which almost all sound the same. Most mormons would respond to this website the same way you did. You’re just another secretly insecure lds who has no real basis for their beliefs other then their objective testimony.
September 25th, 2008 at 2:03 am
Dear Artist:
Standing Ovation Kudos and Dittos to your outstanding artwork!
I am so excited to use your images to show others the truth about how the Mormon movement began.
I just want to help you point out to your viewers and readers that one of the most important scholars on this subject is the historian/author and retired Institute teacher, Grant Palmer.
In a podcast with broadcaster John Dehlin, Palmer said, when asked, “Did Joseph use the plates in the translation process?”:
“From what I’ve found, there’s no relative who ever said he used the plates. There’s no scribe, there’s no friend, there’s no acquaintance, there’s no observer, zero, none, EVER…”
Palmer points out that, despite pictures you see in the Ensign, “There are no evidences of any first-hand observer. There are at least 20 that say they [the plates] were never used.” And that there are numerous first-hand witnesses who describe Joseph placing his face in a hat to both, supposedly find buried treasure in the hills, as well as to supposedly dictate words from an ancient gold record.
This podcast can be accessed here: http://mormonstories.org/?p=92
Mormons profess to idealize truth above all else:
Yes, say, what is truth? ‘Tis the brightest prize
To which mortals or Gods can aspire;
Go search in the depths where it glittering lies
Or ascend in pursuit to the loftiest skies.
‘Tis an aim for the noblest desire.
Your images help the seeker of truth find it. Thank you!!!
April 14th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I bookmarked this site, Thank you for good job!
October 3rd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Mark you said
“This website is pure crap! The author needs to get a life, and find something more constructive to do than pull down the faith of others!” “By the way, your pencil work sucks! Your figures are completely non-animated - look like statues. YOu should go back to art school - provided you ever went”
Is this the most constructive thing YOU can find to do? To criticize what others have actually investigated? Before you start pointing fingers try looking into your own mirror and look at your own personal character.
God Bless you Mark and may God open your eyes to the truth.
May 14th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
I think your artwork is amazing. Anyone who says otherwise clearly has no understanding of artistic license or perhaps they are used to stick figures? Anyway, I appreciate the fact you are trying to be true to the actual accounts from people that were “there”. Thank you for sharing this. I hope you continue to enlighten us.
July 19th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Thanks so much for your web site.
“I would like to bear my testimony that I “NOW” know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by placing his seer stone into his hat.” (Too bad it took me 31 years as a member to learn this unexpectedly and unintentionally.)
The next day I went out and found my own seer stone; I placed it my hat and it told me to stop paying 10 percent for all this deceptive, dishonest Mormon CRAP!!!!
I encourage all Mormons to bear your testimony in the next fast and testimony meeting that you “KNOW” that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by placing his seer stone into his hat - to prevent members like me who feel spiritually raped, robbed and abused by Joseph Smith for not having been taught this truth in their entire life.