Hannah Stoddard - Joseph Smith, Treasure Digging, and The Translation of The Book of Mormon

[@devinolson9053]

Hannah and her Father were a big part of me coming back to church and genuinely seeking to gain a testimony. After seeing their work at a Book of Mormon Evidence conference I started reading it again and prayed to God with real intent to know if the Book of Mormon was true. I received a profound witness that is was the word of God. 6 months later I served a mission in the Palmyra, New York mission at the age of 24. I can think of no greater tribute to your father’s faithfulness than this. I’m sure you both have saved many more souls. All Glory the God and thank you so much.

[@DoctrineofChrist248]

Awesome experience my brother, thank you for sharing. The Spirit ratifies your comment

[@amandautah]

Love this!!

[@joepro66]

❤❤❤

[@joshua.snyder]

You should really listen to the abusive recordings (on KZbin) of Hannah and her father verbally and emotionally abusing her mother. It is disgusting and shows their true character.

[@devinolson9053]

@@joshua.snyder I probably won’t. You should look up the story (in the Bible) of Jesus and the woman taken in adultery

[@MDS53162]

Hannah Stoddard A+ Interview. We need a PART 2

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

Did you know that BOA has been proven to be a fraud? Read the CES Letter please! For the sake of your own soul...

[@DB_Golfer]

💯 💯!!!

[@Freedom0rBust]

I like the approach of taking the Lord and Joseph’s words first.

[@Sayheybrother8]

Then be willing to trust Josephs word first in every case:) Be careful what lines we draw because if we trust his word first he wasn’t a polygamist and the current church is built on shaky ground. Best of luck

[@jameseverett4976]

the point dude was trying OVER & OVER to make around 0:47.....CAN WE PLEASE PLEASE MOVE ON???

[@phillipmemmott8860]

Loved this interview. Such a good choice of discussion. Sister stoddard is dead on. Amazing work. Everybody needs a testimony of the book of mormon.

[@HighSeasCruiser]

I had never heard of Hannah. I am so impressed and will start getting her books

[@raymorgan2780]

If I may... L. Hannah Stoddard is in my humble opinion, the greatest historian on the subject of Joseph Smith History on this earth. Enjoy her wealth of deep doctrine that rings true from beginning to end.

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

Have you heard of the CES Letter, it is a MUST READ.

[@raymorgan2780]

@@MaryLeonard-mj9ng That's been debunked several times. A dark evil letter!

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

@@raymorgan2780 Really? Then why does even the mormon church agree with the CES Letter that the scripts Joseph Smith used for the BOA have nothing to do with Abraham? Have you read the LDS church "Gospel Topic Essays"??

[@SuHwak]

@@MaryLeonard-mj9ng The text is Abrahams, just like you have the writings of Paul now in a recent publication of The Bible, doesn't mean Paul *wrote* your copy personally, but its his words nonetheless.

[@jasonwright1676]

Wonderful interview. I just finished "Seer Stone vs. Urim and Thummim" and loved it. I learned so much from reading it and the sources noted in it. This discussion was enlightening. Thank you all for the understanding imparted.

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

If you like that, you LOVE the CES letter, especially the section of the Book of Abraham!

[@jasonwright1676]

@@MaryLeonard-mj9ng I’ve read the CES letter and found it to be a steaming pile of garbage full of revisionist history attempts. Anything John Dehlin endorses I know to be crap. Been a member all 53 years of my life and my testimony in the Gospel, Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon are just fine thank you.

[@SuHwak]

@@MaryLeonard-mj9ng And you'll love to read the same section on the Debunking CES Letter website.

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

@@SuHwak So have you read the evidence from the CES Letter that shows BOA was a fraud? How do you defend BOA when the evidence is so strong that JS lied about translating common egyptian funeral texts having nothing to do with Abraham?

[@rconger24]

​@@MaryLeonard-mj9ngold fake news

[@DB_Golfer]

This was amazing! One thing I wish you had spent more time on with her - and maybe it’s because they have a whole book on it - but that was Helen Mar Kimble and her documented experiences with the sealing to Joseph. I know there wasn’t any improprieties between them but it would be nice for someone to come one and refute that the same way Hannah has defended the other things. Love all you do! The church is true!!

[@clairvernon3031]

You need to read her book about Helen Mar Kimball, it is awesome!

[@philapos]

I read the book and here is my take on it: Helen Mar Kimball is my new heroine, and I now have a renewed reverence for the early Saints and their sacrifices. This book was a tearjerker as I melted into the story and had my testimony heightened by gaining a new understanding of doctrine. The tears weren’t because of sadness, although there was much in Helen’s life. They were tears at the realization of spiritual truths and ah-ha moments as my mind and heart expanded. I wasn’t expecting new understandings of temple covenants, the word of wisdom, the second coming tribulations, and the ages of marriages of other elite women. This book should SLAM any people who are experiencing a faith crisis because of the false beliefs the rest of the world (and even other Saints) are trying to impose upon us. When you are reading along, make sure you read the footnotes!

[@ralee3422]

Long before i even heard of the Stoddards, I spent over 2 & 1/2 years researching the "history of the history" regarding the translation of the Book of Mormon and came to same conclusion has the Stodders. I began to compile all my notes when I stumbled on their book "Seer Stone vs. Urim and Thummim". I was so happy to see someone else already compiled everything and even more. A wonderful book.

[@DB_Golfer]

Did you ever publish? Would be interesting to see it as a believing member

[@dr33776]

Do you accept Joseph Smith owned seer/peep stones?

[@mrmod123]

Just love what you all are doing. Love that you are taking all this into your own hands and having the discussions that we don’t get at Church. It’s hard for so many of us to get this anywhere else. Of course we have to do our own research and of course we all have our own bias, but listening to all sides has helped me so much in recent years. Thank you all for all your hard work.

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

Truth might sting, but it leads to LOVE. Read the CES Letter!!!

[@MommaCrissa]

​@@MaryLeonard-mj9ngwho hasn't these days. It really won't make a difference if you know what the Spirit really feels like.

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

@@MommaCrissa Adam and Eve followed their feelings in the garden and decided to follow satan rather than trust the heart of God's Word regardless of their feelings. Follow the word of the Lord, and Trust in HIS heart to obey. You are in a cult that uses manipulation. READ the historic facts concerning moronims. THEN read the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John at face value (with no moronism interpretation.)

[@rock5948]

Hannah Stoddard and what her family was inspired to do is amazing. Joseph Smith Jr truly is the prophet of the restoration. I thank God for the spiritual witness I received by the power of the Holy Ghost. Beautiful discussion Stick of Joseph. I love the truth!

[@Zeett09]

Of the restoration faiths I always wonder how the LDS compares to the SDA faith. Both restoration faiths. Both have prophets. Both consider the Bible to have translation issues. SDA corrected the Bible issues through revelation. I have an interest in all the faiths that consider themselves Restored (note: my background is Catholic).

[@mccartneydave]

Compelling interview. Thanks for being as candid and frank as you were, Hannah. Learned a lot. Enjoyed your testimony at the end of the video.

[@JosephSmithFoundation]

Thank you! -Hannah

[@csluau5913]

I love Hannah Stoddard. She is simply amazing. She is intelligent, compassionate, courageous, beautiful, educated, and she valiantly defends Joseph Smith, and stands up for the Lord. She is a true daughter of Zion. If I ever met her, I would probably gosh like a school boy. She’s like the ideal saintly woman. Perhaps I shouldn’t set her up on a pedestal but I think very highly of her. The Stoddard family did a good job raising her and I am glad that she does what she does. I’m also glad that you guys decided to set up the stick of Joseph on KZbin. Every time I watch one of these shows I learn something precious.

[@dso9292]

Holy smokes, Excellent interview! I think I learned more here in 1 hour than I have anywhere else, this made me want to read the BoM and more about Joseph Smiths life than I have in the past. Good stuff!

[@thestickofjoseph]

Mission accomplished!

[@ericreed4535]

​@@thestickofjosephOf offering textbook examples of cognitive dissonance? So close to the tree insisting there is no forest. All possibilities are equally without credible evidence. Gratitude for intellectual honesty and freedom. 🙏. Dan McLellan - The BOM is a 19th century work and NOT an ancient translation. Data >Dogma 👍

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

You will learn even more if read the CES letter, especially the section of the Book of Abraham!

[@rconger24]

​@@MaryLeonard-mj9ngCESLetter is debunked.

[@MommaCrissa]

​@@james8996Did you know you can do the same thing between the old and new testament when one of the apostles quoted something.

[@katbentley7]

Oh wow this was absolutely amazing, I didn’t know any of that about David Whitmer, how aweful. Also I knew the stories about how the people in Far West were treated but hearing you share it brought me to tears it breaks my heart what was done to those saints. Thank you for taking a deep dive. I really enjoyed hearing this and then also what the other side of the argument is and perspective to help weigh things out for myself. I’m with Hannah Stoddard on this one.

[@rconger24]

David Whitmer was spot on and Semper-Fi for all the events he actually witnessed.

[@lukev483]

This blonde gal is absolutely nuts.

[@Titiandtheband]

So is Whitmer then not to be trusted as a reliable source as a witness for the BOM?

[@rconger24]

​@@Titiandthebandwhile he was true and faithful, he saw and experienced the same event as the other 2 witnesses regarding the divine authenticity of The Book of Mormon. That the plates were seen by him being presented by an angel. And like the others, he never changed from or denied that event. What he did not witness was the translation process of the Book of Mormon and he never once acted as a scribe. And that is the very thing he equivocated on. But he was held up by detractors as an "expert" about it.

[@jerrysutton7293]

​. So. Judas was a nice guy? Was one of the faithful with Jesus. Satan turns even people like King David into a Murderer. God gives everyone tests to overcome including Job. God could kill everyone who sin BUT no one would be able repent. Don't cast stones because your not perfect.

[@JamesRobinson-c8q]

Love you Hannah thank you for sharing your knowledge and testimony with me

[@jameschenault7404]

Best episode yet going to watch again thank you

[@maitredebas249]

I love how she patiently redirects him to focus on factual evidence. Great interview!

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

Read the CES Letter for some real evidence.

[@mrselizavl5250]

🥴@@MaryLeonard-mj9ng

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

@@mrselizavl5250 Seriously, read the evidence regarding how Joseph Smith lied about the BOA translation. Turn to Jesus ALONE, he is all you need. Read the words of Jesus in the Bible, He says to come directly to him, not a phoney prophet.

[@SuHwak]

​@@MaryLeonard-mj9ng You'll love then that the CES letter also denies Adam and Eve, Noah's Flood, Noah's Ark and The Tower of Babel (see section science). Basically denying the Bible Wholesale. People that have known the truth of the Book of Mormon, and deny it after, cannot help themselves to actually fully deny God.

[@dcarts5616]

@@MaryLeonard-mj9ng You’re reaching out to us because you read a compilation of other people’s doubts, all of whom left the church and now want their doubts to be a tripping stone to others. I and others have read the same thing as you and instead have searched and found answers that counter the conclusions in the document of doubts you want to get more to read. I don’t know why you seek to tear others down, to remove them from the peace and harmony they feel, only to become a tempter like yourself. The document of doubts you refer to is not evidence of anything but the same claims that have followed believers in God and his prophets since the beginning of time. The sifting is going on, it is not a surprise to anyone who is paying attention to the very scriptures we are supposed to read.

[@shelloscie]

I love Hannah and appreciate all her hard work!! ❤️

[@graygracey]

I usually don't comment on much and I'm new to the page. But this was such a great interview. Just like what others have said. Would love to see more and with the additional. Keep up the great work!

[@shireecox122]

Joseph Smith didn’t need a seer stone to find the Gold Plates. He had an Angle Moroni who showed him where the plates were.

[@dianesellers6194]

That was my first thought. I didn’t understand this part 1:05:04

[@lukev483]

He also didn’t need the gold plates to make up the BofM. 19th Century fiction. 😂

[@taylorcleblanc]

The same angel he called Nephi before changing it...

[@GregFessia]

​@@lukev483go away, unholy, xenophobic and Pharisaical gatekeeper trying to control what you fear and refuse to comprehend. Many are called but few are chosen. Just like there are thousands of false denominations within lamestream Christianity as they succumbed to the bitter dregs of the Great Apostasy that made many false prophets and false priests of Roman Catholic Zealots, Eastern Orthodox Pharisees and Reformationist Protestantism Sadduccees. You fear the open mouth of God as you try to muzzle it with your closed-minded closed canon dogmatic prison of an incomplete and impure Bible. That is what will make evangelicals unprepared for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That is why you also fear The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ as it is a witness and record of God’s dealings with His covenant people who lived in the ancient Americas and were blessed to receive a physical, postmortal visit of Jesus Christ after the Atonement, death and Resurrection and ascension into Heaven from the Old World. This is why many of those false priests were so caught up to persecute and dehumanize the Prophet Joseph Smith and the early Saints just like evangelicals do today. It's all about a satanic and demonic need for control and power. You have had your eyes, heart and mind innoculated against the further light and knowledge of God by the adversary.

[@RealGame20]

He used a technique used to open the veil to be able to see Moroni and I can prove it through the lds library in salt lake still holds his notes, but just listen the technique's Solomons and I can't tell u because it's sacred and dangerous but I get visions of whT happened and the lds church or church of Jesus christ is the true church be abuse of this.

[@carmencifuentes8136]

Love this!!! What a powerful woman!!! Her wisdow is contagious!!

[@bryanl.taylor6249]

I agree with Sister Stoddard’s approach to these questions. Let’s also take Brigham Young’s report as credible, but measure it against Joseph Smith’s recorded accounts. Always start with Joseph’s account…

[@SacaPuuntas]

Awesome Guest, topic and interview. Stoddard is a treasure.

[@jeffreybernson7978]

Thanks for having HANNAH !! A real TRUTH SEEEKER

[@downsmath]

Before anyone starts attacking, Hannah as not being a valid source when it comes to history, please read her books! If you take the time to read--which is a hard thing for some in today's spoon fed society--you will see that everything includes sources and has been fully researched. She and her father have not simply slapped together a theory and thrown it out there. It has been well thought out and researched. Take the time to read before you start throwing stones! Otherwise, you're simply embarrassing yourself. Fantastic interview!

[@danpiedra3910]

Completely agree! Most people are basing their “knowledge” on a few sound bites they hear on KZbin rather than reading books with proper citations and references.

[@jsteinagel5150]

I agree. READ THEIR BOOKS!

[@establishingzion688]

Agreed, both of the Faith Crisis books are extremely well researched and cited. No one can deny that they have done their homework.

[@lukev483]

Totally disagree. I have read her stuff and have seen plenty of her videos on KZbin.

[@istj509]

@@lukev483Having seen what you post on other YT channels, I don’t believe you.

[@magitekarms60]

We really need a part two where she delves into the academic secularism in the Church History Dept. I think that part is pretty eye opening as to why these divergent narratives in several areas of church history have taken hold.

[@TrebizondMusic-cm6fp]

I want to hear more about that too. Time was when I would have been inclined to skepticism about that, but recently, seeing how much even BYU has come under the spell of progressive activism, I'm willing to listen.

[@clairvernon3031]

Her book about President Benson, and Leonard Arrington “behind closed doors” is amazing. I am sad to think of the damage done by Leonard Arrington and his modern, progressive, cohorts rewriting church history.

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

Can we include a reputable fair minded non-mormon scholar to go over actual historic evidence?

[@istj509]

@@MaryLeonard-mj9ngcan you tell us what church you attend? That will give us some important context about the repetitive comments you post on this and other pro-LDS channels.

[@GregFessia]

Like the Mesoamerican model created by apostates in the RLDS Church?

[@teisip35]

Thank you ❤

[@TomorrowsChild86]

I love listening to Hannah Stoddard and her Insight.. Thanks for this episode.. I love the Prophet Joseph Smith so much and I just enjoy hearing her defend him!! ♥️

[@geoffshelley2427]

So glad to hear this!!! I've never felt comfortable about the stone in a hat story. Something just feels off about it. I've said to myself that I'd only accept that story only if Joseph himself said it. And apparently, he never did. It's sad to have seen some church leaders caving into the stone in a hat story. Especially in light of the possibility that it was fabricated and not true.

[@cedinke4753]

Some church leaders? Like president Nelson demonstrating it?

[@geoffshelley2427]

@@cedinke4753 My point exactly!

[@MDS53162]

Hannah Stoddard and Johnathan Neville both need a Part 2. Lets make it happen guys.

[@livingmombirth4005]

Amen!

[@establishingzion688]

Yesh, please!

[@kristastrong]

Absolutely! Here's hoping for a part 2!!

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

Can we include a reputable fair minded non-mormon scholar to go over actual historic evidence?

[@StandforTruth712]

What we really need is Hannah and Jonathan to sit down with

[@edbutzwiggle4227]

Great to have her on. She’s amazing. Not great to interrupt, even misdirect her. Why have a guest on? Ask an open ended question and then stay out of her way

[@livingmombirth4005]

Can't say enough about how amazing Hannah is!

[@establishingzion688]

43:30 - I love Hannah's response. "Yeah, that COULD have happened, but there aren't any sources to back that up." We can speculate and give our reasons with logical deduction and interpretation but if you don't have any sources to back it up, then why "dabble" in the unknown? That was great. Go to the sources, particularly what Joseph himself said about it.

[@dr33776]

“There aren’t any sources” that I, Hannah, agree with.

[@fogtao]

Hannah is great! From the perspective of an investigator Hannah appears to be reasonable, objective, and faithful. It would be super interesting to hear a conversation about all this with Hannah and Don Bradley.

[@bradhardisty1652]

She's really grounded on the front line and exposes a lot of what is going on.

[@mycatwould]

Been waiting for this! Haven’t had a chance to watch the whole thing yet, but excited to hear Hannah’s thoughts.

[@everettdegrasse8478]

Sister Stoddard is a smart cookie. This was a great conversation.

[@lukev483]

Blondes are never that bright.

[@SimonDaumMusic]

I prefer that treasure digging took place, but that it was a common thing done by many christians back at the time and place around Joseph Smith to actually do some spiritual work, which was to put the treasures of diceases ones to good use so they could move on in the afterlife. The evidence that Joseph was involved are there, but also do we have the evidences that it was not so much about money or wealth, but about that spiritul purpose.

[@ED-wired]

After hearing this I am more on Hannah’s explanation than ever before. God surely taught Joseph how to use the instruments he was given and didn’t need to dabble in anything lesser than the priesthood. Great conversation

[@dr33776]

Do you accept Joseph Smith owned seer stones?

[@TexasTornado66]

Love your content! Hints for a new podcast: Please try to not interrupt when a guest is on a roll, it interrupts their train of thought. And you talking over them is hard to hear what they’re saying. The best podcasts (per comments I’ve read) are those in which the host allows the guest to finish a full thought before injecting.

[@nancylowe2692]

Ok! You guys hit a homerun with this one! I didn't need any more witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon or that Joseph was & is a Prophet of God, but it's so nice to hear it over & over. So nice, like sweet music to my ears to learn more about it all. I did not know about how horrible Far West was for the Saints, nor that D Whitmer assisted those mobs. Hearing the emotion in Hannah's voice as she described it just in general terms was so moving. I hope that DW will be able to repent and that he and Joseph can reconcile... Thanks, Stick of Joseph! Y'all are the best!

[@crazyaboutcards]

Great conversation. This was really needed on your channel!

[@raymorgan2780]

Once you have a hard true witness of Our dear Prophet, Seer and Revelator, Joseph Smith, then the facts stand firmly in place. The worldly people of his day, had serious issues with accounting hard facts and couldn't get past that a true living Prophet had been chosen to restore the lost and precious truths. An incredible interview with L. Hannah Stoddard the greatest living historian on The Great Prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr.

[@jake8882]

Oh this testimony you bare is sadly incorrect. But hanging onto these ideas helps one stay indoctrinated. I get it.

[@jameseverett4976]

@@jake8882 may I ask why you care, one way or the other?

[@ilvmp]

Any interview with Hannah Stoddard in it is bound to be good.

[@americaninfluence471]

The First Vision was "an" endowment in terms of a divine gift or outpouring, but it wasn't "his endowment" in terms of ordinances of salvation. The endowment as we speak of it today is to receive "all" ordinances in the house of the Lord, which includes those beyond the "presentation" of the endowment. These ordinances combined are requisite to qualify for eternal life. Even after the First Vision, Joseph Smith -- like all -- commenced at the very beginning of the covenant path through baptism and continued from there. Thank you for the insights and your work to defend the prophet Joseph Smith.

[@tgray747]

Hannah is amazing!!! Thank you for all you do Hannah!

[@JosephSmithFoundation]

You are welcome! -Hannah

[@Heartsinmelody]

43:32 🎤 drop. Love Hannah. Have your theories, but evidence matters. At 45:24 he can’t let it go and brings it up again. At 46:26 Hannah drops another 🎤

[@lesliepaul1302]

Sooo good! You need to have her on again!

[@EricHancock]

Hannah is correct! Magic was NOT how the Lord prepared Joseph to become a prophet and seer. Her patience in explaining this to you repeatedly was admirable.

[@livingmombirth4005]

So true and so very tactfully said!

[@stevenelkins2490]

Yeah Hannah!!

[@walterbanks5003]

These series of interviews have been great. It has been nice to see the different perspectives and views. I have seen some frustrations get expressed when things aren't super clear from the Church one way or another. I think the simple answer is Gods servants are interested in communicating to us his will for us now, and what we need to do to follow Christ in our current circumstances. Perhaps in the future the Lord will deem it critical for us to know 100% of the past. Until then I will focus on the Savior as my number 1. Everything else is a bonus.

[@rickplatts]

Outstanding interview!!

[@bagnasbayabas]

I saw a video clip, Prophet Nelson demonstrates how Joseph Smith translated the gold plates using the stone in a hat. So which is which

[@aadams8419]

Well, he’s wrong, obviously! The delusions of this woman have no end.

[@rconger24]

WE LOVE HANNAH !

[@RalphReynolds-l3t]

Finally!!!!!!🎉

[@hollyward549]

This was so great! Thank you!

[@crazyaboutcards]

Stick of Joseph: at minute 47 you say that there has to be an origin of these claims. They have to be coming from somewhere. And yet if you read the comments you'll find someone repeatedly accusing Hannah of being on onlyfans. Is there a necessary origin for those false claims? Or can it be possible that some people just want to demonize another person?

[@brucegillingham2793]

Joseph Smith’s 1826 Trial In 1826, Josiah Stowell hired Joseph Smith to help look for lost Spanish silver near the border of New York and Pennsylvania. Someone in the community, possibly a member of Stowell’s extended family, accused Joseph of gazing into a stone to discover lost property. As a result, Joseph was ordered to appear before justice of the peace Albert Neely in Chenango County, likely on charges of disorderly conduct. His arrest appears to have been based on a statute in New York state law outlawing “pretending . . . to discover where lost goods may be found.”1 Four accounts describe this hearing, all of which suggest Joseph suffered no serious legal consequences in its aftermath. Other details vary and sometimes contradict each other.2 In his testimony, Joseph readily agreed he had used his seer stone off and on to look for lost property, but he had given up the practice-it hurt his eyes, he said. He had never solicited such work and “had always rather declined having anything to do with this business.”3 The judge inspected the stone and questioned other witnesses, including Joseph’s father, Joseph Smith Sr., and Joseph’s employer, Josiah Stowell. Joseph Sr. and Josiah Stowell testified that Joseph had responded to requests to use his seer stone only to assist friends or, in Stowell’s case, to help Stowell and other contracted workers on a treasure dig. Stowell trusted Joseph and appreciated his work. Joseph Sr. hoped his son would not abuse the gift in searching for earthly treasures and prayed God would reveal His will to the young man. Some other witnesses who testified believed in Joseph’s skill; others did not.4 The outcome of the hearing remains a puzzle. A purported court record indicates the judge found Joseph guilty. A neighbor of Josiah Stowell claimed the court “condemned” Joseph but allowed him to escape on account of his youth. A friend of the judge who claimed to have taken notes at the hearing wrote that the judge accepted Stowell’s testimony and discharged Joseph. Oliver Cowdery, who did not attend the hearing (he met Joseph Smith about three years later), mentioned the most likely result in light of missing documentation, that Joseph was acquitted of being a disorderly person.5

[@jake8882]

Very well said

[@doctorstotrust]

Thanks so much for the serious details.

[@sydney7065]

Where did you get this information

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

When Joseph first brought the plates home, he was forbidden to show them or anything to anyone (on pain of death.) During that time he attempted to translate the Book of Mormon which is when he was reportedly seen using a seer stone with his head in his hat. Is it possible that Joseph also had the Urim and Thummim in his hat (keeping them hidden) but was seen putting his "seer stone" in with it (according to the accounts?) Is it possible that the Lord was fully aware of this little pretense? (D&C 5:4) This would explain the eye-witness statements, Joseph's reluctance to provide any specific details connected to the translation, the introductory statement in tbe Book of Mormon, claiming it was translated by the gift and power of God and finally, Joseph's willingness to just give his "seer stone" away, saying he had no further use of it.

[@chase.wilson]

Did anyone die from looking at them?

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

@@chase.wilson No one ever saw anything until Joseph had received permission from the Lord.. (Imagine Joseph's new wife Emma, only being allowed to see the draped Plates?) After receiving permission, one of the witnesses wrote about being tempted to look through the Interpreters, but feared to do so.

[@LatterdaySaintIdeas]

Joseph specifically says that the two stones FASTENED TO A BREASTPLATE constituted the Urim and Thummim. No Breastplate, no Urim and Thummim. So no, he couldn't use them in the hat. What I believe is that he used his seerstone to check on whether the plates and the U&T were safe. If someone saw his seerstone, no problem. It wasn't something that was restricted. God gave him his seerstone so he could have something he could keep in his pocket and not have to worry about being searched or roughed up or hiding it from sight.

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

​@@LatterdaySaintIdeas Except God didn't give him a seer stone, he found that while digging a well. I'll concede that the U&T in the hat, is a bit of a stretch, especially with it's reported size. Nevertheless that is what the local papers were reporting and that is what Joseph Smith's younger brother William was saying as well as Joseph Knight (another eye-witness to the translation process.) The question of whether or not Joseph used his seer stone in translating the Book of Mormon, has already been answered in it's preface and in D&C 5:4.

[@LatterdaySaintIdeas]

@@jamesbaldwin7676 depends on which account you read. One account says he was shown by God where the stone was, and that's why he volunteered to dig that well in that exact spot. The local papers were anti-mormon, so no, they aren't valid sources. Joseph wouldn't tell some paper something he wasn't willing to tell anyone else. William Smith wrote his accounts decades later, and was the least reliable of the Smith brothers, even becoming a leader in the RLDS church. He was never a witness to the translation, so he's not credible.

[@brucelloyd7496]

Well-spoken Hannah!

[@BlaineHeggie]

This interview needs a part 2!

[@Bryanstephenkerr]

What are these 13 firsthand accounts we have from Joseph Smith where he gives details about the translation? And where is there an account that Joseph went through every page of the plates?

[@jeffh9021]

Hannah is so knowledgeable and well spoken it was very enjoyable watching this video. The thought that came to me is in the grove of trees before Joseph was visited by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, he felt the presence and power of Satan that left him feeling that he was going to be destroyed. That is an experience that you would never forget, so it seems to me that he easily could discern between God and Lucifer. Oh, and...Hayden...wear some socks!! ;)

[@jonathanbird5094]

Hannah is awesome!!! You also need to interview Jonathan Neville and James Lucas. They are the authors of the new book "By Means of the Urim and Thummin." They've done even deeper research than Hannah and have decided Joseph only used the Urim & Thummin.

[@thestickofjoseph]

Go check out our interview with Jonathan!

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

She is also on the extreme side of denying historical facts. READ THE CES LETTER !

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

@@roburry I detest religion. But I heard the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John, and so I called out to Him, and he helped me. I like to hang out with Him.

[@jordan-xe2yb]

@@MaryLeonard-mj9ngthe letter is dumb, I’m sorry. Get a room.

[@jordan-xe2yb]

@@james8996sure James.

[@PerryPlatt]

"Take that, put it 200 years ago and then try to figure it out." That was a great point.

[@ColemanOutdoors]

Amazing interview!!❤

[@keithholgreen7294]

What a fascinating interview. Amazing and common sense information.

[@brucegillingham2793]

Urim and Thummim in 1832 There is some confusion about the historical sources and the scriptures regarding the term "Urim and Thummim." Although D&C 10 and 17 currently mention the Urim and Thummim, the earliest versions of D&C 10 does not. (We don't have a pre-1835 version of D&C 17). The reference to the Urim and Thummim was added sometime between 1832 and 1835 (when the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants was published.) For years, scholars thought it was W.W. Phelps who first applied the term to the interpreters in an 1833 article in the Evening and Morning Star (see below). That was common knowledge until a few years ago, before an earlier 1832 article in the Boston Investigator was discovered that reported a dialog with Mormon missionaries who explained the Urim and Thummim was used to translate the plates (see below). Now we know it was not Phelps who coined the term. We still don't know when or how the missionaries learned about the Urim and Thummim. They may have invented or coined the term for the interpreters, but that would be out of character for both Orson and Samuel. More likely, they learned the term from Joseph Smith or Oliver Cowdery. There is only sketchy information from the early days of the Church, such as brief newspaper articles and later remembrances, so we have multiple working hypotheses.

[@jcall666]

“Joseph Fielding Smith was a man of integrity.” Wasn’t he the guy that hid the only handwritten first vision account from Joseph Smith?

[@bryanhaycock672]

Much difficulty arises when people misplace or mistakenly attribute power to the object, rather than the spiritual gift associated with it.

[@kimberlyolsen9416]

Hannah Stoddard is one of my favorite people and I love her testimony. You guys need to have her on again! This was so good!

[@1961Tuber]

She's a brainwashed joke. You can't be a "historian" and toss out information you don't like.

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

Read the CES Letter, you are following a false prophet into hell. Read the words of Jesus in the Bible and trust in HIM ALONE!

[@kimberlyolsen9416]

@MaryLeonard-mj9ng I have read the CES letter and I read the Bible daily. I know Joseph Smith was the Prophet of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I love him. I have studied his life for 35 years. I have studied the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus. I love Him and follow Him. I am grateful everyday that the missionaries found me. God Bless.

[@1961Tuber]

You do know that Joseph Smith lied to people about seeing buried treasure using HIS Rock in a Hat? That was FRAUD. Fraud is CRIMINAL. You do know that he "married" YOUNG GIRLS 14, 15, 16, 17? He hid his plural marriages from Emma, his wife. He lied to The Church about polygamy (that he was not practicing it.) YOU KNOW ALL THAT AND STILL CAN BELIEVE????? @@kimberlyolsen9416

[@MaryLeonard-mj9ng]

@@kimberlyolsen9416 So what are your thoughts about conslusive evidence that shows Joseph Smith lied about translating egyptian funeral papyri into the BOA "by Abraham own hand" ???

[@colehansen188]

So just ignore all the neighbors, ignore the courts deeming him guilty of glass looking, the church actually having his peep stone and all history pointing to him having the seer stone found digging a well… the church even says he looked into the hat with the rock

[@nawnaw1749]

You need mental gymnastics to stay in the church as well

[@Spirit_to_seek]

Exactly. They seem like very nice people, but the justifications Stoddard gives are disingenuous.

[@thelastgoonie6555]

Hannah's correct that "SEER Stone" was not a used term in Joseph's day. It was a Peep Stone. They only added Seer to church it up--same as WW Phelps calling the "Nephite Interpreters" the Urim and Thummim years after the fact.

[@rachelmure]

Gold medal for the mental gymnastics performance! 👏

[@Spirit_to_seek]

Right! It's disturbing that these young people are so indoctrinated they can't see the truth that is right before their eyes. Sad.

[@shareceyoung677]

Love serving the God of Truth

[@StandforTruth712]

Would love to hear Hannah discuss Progressive Church Historians vs Traditional Church Historians. Would love a friendly discussion between Hannah Stoddard and Jonathan Neville vs Kirk Magably from Book of Mormon Central.

[@GregFessia]

Kirk is a baizuo who likes throwing around false allegations of racism and racial hatred towards anyone who won't tow the line for the Mesoamerican model created by cheap Indiana Jones wannabes.

[@smuir6104]

In the end, it is all about the spiritual witness, the trick is convincing people that have never had one, that it is worth Everything to search out. Knowing God, is the greatest gift we can have on Earth.

[@BobSmith-lb9nc]

There are also some people within the RLDS tradition who staunchly maintain that a seerstone was never used in translating the BofM. However, firsthand evidence is very clear that Joseph used his seerstone for nearly all of the translation of the BofM.

[@oliviap768]

The churches website has a video claiming that both were used in the translation.

[@danieldunbar2956]

Great interview!

[@doctorstotrust]

I respect Hannah's approach to Joseph's life--What did he actually SAY and what do we have that he actually Produced? Not what anyone else said he said or said he did. We have his words fully open to view and we have the scriptures and revelations and the gospel covenants and doctrine restored through him.

[@alexanderv7702]

I attended a Fireside in the UK where Elder Holland said, 'Joseph was only armed with a walking stick when the mob murdered him, and Hyrum.'

[@magapefarmshomestead6453]

Hanna im very impressed with your modisty of dress ty

[@JosephSmithFoundation]

Thank you! Appreciate that. -Hannah

[@vendingdudes]

Hannah you were great! Thank you for coming on! Please work on eliminating the filler "heh" thing, though. It was tough to get used to and not let it affect the learning experience. Not being mean, just watch yourself as if you are a new viewer and you'll see what I mean. 👍

[@debbiemelander289]

Yeah, it got a little distracting. It made me wonder if I have any noises I make when talking that I’m not aware of. That said I think Hannah is great. Her scholarship is impressive and her interviews have enhanced my understanding of church history in so many ways.

[@rconger24]

​@@vendingdudes @debbie What you two seem to object to was only in the four-minute long segment after she had a very visceral emotion upon sharing a historic episode that included the rape of women and children. 1:06:55 Imagine being a victim of that horrible thing! Any good woman would feel empathy, but the emotion may manifest differently depending on background. I'm fine with the manifest emotion. However, there is no more "filler word" from Hannah after the subject is changed. If you could imagine my going back to the above time-stamp and repeating Hannah's words, except every time I get to the filler word, I substitute "disgust" or I say the same filler word but instead I whisper it. If you go back and roll-play that, I think you will understand.

[@ensignj3242]

The best way to discern whether or not the BoM is true, is to study it, pray and fast to get a testimony of it by the Spirit. I dont need any other “evidence”.

[@rachelmure]

Yeah, completely agree. I don’t need facts or objective reality when my subjective feelings are there to confirm the truthfulness of something. It’s kind of like when I was in school and all my friends tried to tell me Santa was real. I knew in my heart the truth - he is real. They pointed to evidence (one eyewitness testimony I heard was that someone saw their parents physically putting presents under the tree), but I already had prayed about it and I just could feel the Spirit of Christmas confirming for me that what I had been told about by my parents Santa was true. How reliable was this witness anyway? They were probably on the naughty list and just bitter.

[@ralphjenkinsak]

The problem with the guy in the black tshirt's effort to explain possible theories that make sense or seem plausible is they're just that, theories, conjecture, speculation etc and not established by any historical evidence. The reason that approach is problematic, as reasonable, plausible and potentially logical as his theories might seem, is that the mess we have now with Joseph Smith's history is that too much of it is based on unreliable or unfactual sources. I appreciated her reluctance to go down those rabbit holes with him and her insistence on staying factual.

[@UVJ_Scott]

I don’t understand the aversion to Joseph using a seer stone to translate. Or the aversion to “magic”. We may not understand it but magic is a thing. We can call it magic or to make it acceptable we can call it a miracle.

[@SpencerSchiefer]

Church's website article on Treasure Seeking also cites to William Purple. The article also confirms that Joseph was hired and sought after by Stowell due to Joseph's reputation as a seer to find missing objects. The Church is confirming that Joseph engaged in treasure digging, and had a reputation for it. One does not acquire a reputation without doing something at least once prior. It seems silly for Stoddard to make these claims that are essentially contrary to the Church's position. Maybe direct your arguments to Church headquarters as the Church is affirming that Joseph was a treasure digger and had such a reputation. Stoddard's arguments mostly seem to be based on the absence of evidence as evidence. Her assessment is also not objective as she indicates early on that she would still believe in the BOM regardless of proof, such as a letter admitting fraud from Joseph himself. So, she will believe even if the original source says it's false. Her shortcomings don't prove or disprove anything. Rather, it should simply be taken into consideration when assessing her claims and arguments.

[@friendsinthefold]

Joseph Smith's great great grandfather and great grandfather, Samuel Smith and Samuel Smith Jr. lived in Topham, Massachusetts, only 10 miles from Salem at the time of the Salem witch trials. As very strictly religious people, I assume they would have felt like other Christians of their day that even the very idea of witchcraft was a sin. Less than 100 years after the witchtrials, Joseph Sr was born. His father Asael Smith was recognized as very devout man and Joseph Sr. continued also to be very devout. It doesn't seem likely to me that Joseph Smith Sr and his children would have turned a hard 180 degrees in that short of time--from living in a time and place where witchcraft was a death worthy sin to embracing it as a game and a hobby.

[@timmiestabrnak]

How can you clean that? There was no magic seerstone/peep stone/sitting stone used when the church outright says that it was used and Russell showed how Joseph would’ve put it in the hat and put a space in a hat, and when the actual stone is on the library?

[@LatterdaySaintIdeas]

The Gospel Topics Essay is not official doctrine of the church. If you look at the sources listed, they are same bad sources they spent this entire podcast talking about. President Nelson in his video, is simply confirming that "some accounts" say he did it using the hat. He didn't make a definitive statement or declare it as official doctrine of the church, especially since previous prophets who held the same calling have said Joseph did not use the seerstone.

[@Summerwailin]

So the current prophet saying that is how the translation process happened and literally acting out how it happened with the supposed seer stone and hat. He literally puts his face inside just like how JS would have done, and you are still not sure you believe that’s the official stance of the church? I don’t know how you get any more blunt than that.

[@AmericanMadeIndustries]

Epic!!!!

[@barrybrooksby]

Not sure why this is an issue. President Nelson, other Prophets, and the Church website state that Joseph Smith used both the Urim and Thummim and a seer stone to translate. Read the Church essay about the "Book of Mormon Translation".

[@Heartsinmelody]

Great interview guest

[@JayMackley]

One of the best interviews I have ever seen! Hannah is such a great source of accurate history and an effective advocate for the mission and character of Joseph Smith. I have read "Seer Stone v. Urim & Thummim" twice. Read that book. Highly recommended.

[@1961Tuber]

Hannah Stoddard is not a real historian. She disregards ANY and ALL sources that are not "faith promoting." The Character of Joseph Smith has a BIG PROBLEM right from the beginning, when he started using "peep stones." He has to lie to people to get them to go dig, and then he had to lie further to explain why no treasure was found. SCAMMER

[@laloifilealofi9628]

Love the whole conversation, but most your honest pure testimonies of truths being restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith and unto His living Prophet, President Russell M Nelson ❤️ 💙

[@TheJanesaw]

18:51 I love this comment! Even if a document comes out with Joseph smiths handwriting that says he made it up, I will still believe in the Book of Mormon. This is where I believe every member needs to get to. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ. :)

[@hollydudley9200]

I know I have asked this before, but I still haven’t gotten a good answer. Hannah mentioned that the witnesses were shown, along with the plates, the sword of Laban, the breastplate, & the Liahona so what happened to these items & did Joseph take them out of the Hill Cumorah when he got the plates? Also, one of the stories she didn’t refer to was the one where Martin Harris tried to replace Joseph’s seer stone with anther stone he had found but Joseph was unable to translate with it. I would like to,hear what she had to say about this. This was a very interesting interview. Thank you for doing it.

[@doctorstotrust]

These train points are explained by Jonathan Neville. In his book, A Man That Can Translate, he details this and a lot more showing how Joseph was fully prepared with knowledge and tools to fulfill his calling.

[@commoncents5191]

You can tell “the accuser of the brethren” has been at work for a very long time. If he can attack JS and make him look bad, then he thinks he wins. Look at what JS accomplished in his short life. Has given us more scripture than any other prophet ever. The slander doesn’t match up with the man.

[@LatterdaySaintIdeas]

By their fruits...exactly. So much wonderful fruit.

[@rconger24]

Revelation 12: 10

[@smile-bro]

I had honestly never heard someone claim the seer stones weren’t used in the Book of Mormon translation before watching this video. I did not know that there was a Urim &Thumim only theory. Thank you for sharing this perspective and for the primary source based discussion. :)

[@curtisgeiger9134]

I'm 76. All my life, there was no mention of a Seer Stone. Not in images or in my primary or Sunday class.

[@jake8882]

The church says the stones were used. Oh wait. The church says a lot that sometimes is incorrect. My fault

[@clarestucki5151]

Joseph was quoted as saying that every person should have his own seer stone. I've been looking for one, but the rocks and stones where I live tend to be drab and ugly, so I'm still looking for a prettier one.

[@danpiedra3910]

It's so easy to tell the ignorant comments who are just here to shoot down anything related to Joseph and the Church. I'm assuming these people make a habit of dropping in on such videos to try and rain on others' parade. Thankful for researchers who actually dig through historical documents to give us insights and encourage all to read the same.

[@istj509]

The naysayers are not here to “rain on others’ parade.” They are here for nothing short of destroying the faith of the saints. Their cognitive dissonance is screaming so loud that they will only feel better if they can convince others that the gospel isn’t true. Most of them worship at the feet of John Dehlin, and they go around to pro-LDS channels sharing the same debunked drivel.