Seer Stones and Other Objects in the Restoration
Some may see the use of physical objects in bringing about miracles or revelations as weird or evidence of the occult. To them I would suggest that the devil often attempts to counterfeit the doings of God. There are many examples of physical objects being used as the means of performing miraculous things in the scriptures. It's important to remember that it is God who is at work here, and not the objects themselves. They are simply the conduits of His power when approves them as such.
Examples from the Old Testament:
Examples from the New Testament:
Examples from the Book of Mormon:
Examples from Pearl of Great Price:
I'll work on providing the scriptural citations so that you can find them more easily. These were just the ones that my wife and I thought of off the tops of our heads. There may be some that I'm missing.
After reading these lists, does the notion of Joseph utilizing multiple seer stones to translate the Book of Mormon and receive revelation seem so preposterous? He eventually stopped needing to use any of them as He became more competent in his prophetic abilities. We also know that Oliver Cowdery used a rod of some sort for revelatory means. There are also three rods mentioned in the above lists that were used to perform miracles. Some may wonder why the Lord would allow Joseph Smith to use a stone that he had found years beforehand as a divinely sanctioned object. You could ask the same thing about Moses' staff.
The precedent for miraculous objects is clear. All that we need to do is exercise faith and ask God if Joseph was His prophet of the Restoration.
Examples from the Old Testament:
- Rod of Moses
- Rod of Aaron
- Brazen Serpent
- Urim and Thummim
- Ark of the Covenant
- Trumpets destroying the walls of Jericho
- Mantle of Elijah and Elisha
- Rod of Elisha
- River Jordan washing away Naaman's leprosy
Examples from the New Testament:
- Hem of Jesus
- Clay and spittle of Jesus
- Handkerchiefs of Paul
- White stone given in the Celestial Kingdom (Book of Revelation)
Examples from the Book of Mormon:
- The Liahona
- The 16 Jaredite stones
Examples from Pearl of Great Price:
- Clay of Enoch - Moses 6:35-36
I'll work on providing the scriptural citations so that you can find them more easily. These were just the ones that my wife and I thought of off the tops of our heads. There may be some that I'm missing.
After reading these lists, does the notion of Joseph utilizing multiple seer stones to translate the Book of Mormon and receive revelation seem so preposterous? He eventually stopped needing to use any of them as He became more competent in his prophetic abilities. We also know that Oliver Cowdery used a rod of some sort for revelatory means. There are also three rods mentioned in the above lists that were used to perform miracles. Some may wonder why the Lord would allow Joseph Smith to use a stone that he had found years beforehand as a divinely sanctioned object. You could ask the same thing about Moses' staff.
The precedent for miraculous objects is clear. All that we need to do is exercise faith and ask God if Joseph was His prophet of the Restoration.