Mormonism Explained
Why Seer Stones Aided Book of Mormon Translation
A prophecy about Gazelem raises questions about whether it refers to a person, a stone, or a seer stone used in divine translation work.
Alma told his son Helaman that God prepared his servant “Gazelem, a stone,” for an important work. In the Book of Mormon, Alma states a prophecy, which reads, “And the Lord said: I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a stone, which shall shine forth in darkness,” (Alma 37:23).
Because this is the only time Gazelem is mentioned in the Book of Mormon, the important reference has raised some questions. Is Gazelem a person? Or is Gazelem the stone? Or, a seer stone?
Interpreting this as a prophecy adds yet another layer to the debate—could Gazelem be a prophetic reference to Joseph Smith?
The fact that Joseph Smith used a seer stone and the Urim and Thummim in translating makes for a clear connection because it connects Joseph’s divine gift and inspired work of translation with those practices from ancient times.
Either way, Alma’s prophecy about Gazelem teaches us that God worked the same in ancient times as he does in Latter-days to accomplish his work. For more information on Joseph Smith Seer Stones, visit josephsmithseerstones.com.
Sources
- Alma 37:23, Book of Mormon
- Church of Jesus Christ, “Joseph the Seer,” Ensign, October 2015
- Joseph Smith Seer Stones, josephsmithseerstones.com
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