“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive”. Ephesians 4:14
It seems as if they threw caution to the wind, but held fast to the claim it was done through the ‘power of God’.
Here in part is what they said –
‘…translation instruments included the “interpreters” or “Urim and Thummim”—two clear stones fastened in a metal rim so that Joseph could look through them…Another instrument…was a “seer stone” that he would look into, often by placing it in a hat.’
Now interestingly enough, I also received an e-mail yesterday from ‘Today in Church History’ with a story about Smith’s experience using his ‘seer stone’.
“The SUSQUEHANNA JOURNAL (PA) reprints the money-digging agreement of Nov. 1, 1825, signed by Joseph Smith Jr., his father, and seven other men including Josiah Stowell and Isaac Hale, Joseph’s future father-in-law: “We, the undersigned, do firmly agree, & by these presents bind ourselves, to fulfill and abide by the hereafter specified articles: Firs-That if anything of value should be obtained at a certain place in Pennsylvania near a Wm Hale’s, supposed to be a valuable mine of either Gold or Silver and also to contain coined money and bars or ingots of Gold or Silver, and at wich several hands have been at work during a considerable part of the past summer, we do agree to have it divided in the following manner, viz.: Josiah Stowell, Calvin Stowell and Wm. Hale to take two-thirds, and Charles Newton, Wm. I. Wiley, and the Widow Harper to take the other third. And we further agree that Joseph Smith, Sen. and Joseph Smith, Jr. shall be considered as having two shares, two elevenths of all the property that may be obtained, the shares to be taken equally from each third. . . .” See On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com for more info.
Smith’s work was indeed inspired, but not from the Holy God of the Bible. Their track record is a graphic reminder of how they’ve made a business of lying in wait to deceive just as Paul warned people about 2,000 yrs ago.
To read their article in full see Liahona, ‘How did Joseph Smith translate the Book of Mormon?’ April 2020.
Now is a great time to share this news with a Mormon in your life, and be sure to remind them your heart is concerned for their safety; physically, and most importantly, spiritually!
With Love in Christ;
Michelle