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Doubt·Not

Secondary Questions / Joseph Smith

How was the Book of Mormon actually translated? What about the seer stone?

What the question is

Eyewitnesses describe Joseph using both the interpreters that came with the plates and a seer stone, often placed in a hat to block ambient light. The Church has openly acknowledged this method.

Where to read what the Church has published

How to weigh it

The translation method is a question about how, not whether. The book itself is the test the Lord proposed — not the instrument used to bring it forth.

A reminder before you scroll on

This is one secondary question. It is real. It is not, by itself, load-bearing. The primary questions are. If you have not yet worked through them — or if it’s been a while — start there.

Return to the Primary Questions →

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