The Mormon Seer Stone Explained

When researching the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it’s not uncommon for people to become confused when they hear that the Church’s founder, Joseph Smith, was known to have a gift for using a “Mormon seer stone.” This practice may sound strange or superstitious today. But for Christians in the past, using physical objects to connect with divinity was not so unusual. In fact, the Bible is full of examples. 

Moses used a staff to part the Red Sea. He struck a rock with it, and water came out. He also raised a metal snake on a pole, and people who looked at it were healed. In the New Testament, Jesus healed a blind man by putting mud on his eyes. These objects weren’t powerful by themselves, but God used them as tools to do His work. Here is some more information about how Joseph Smith seer stones were used with a similar intent.

What Is a Seer Stone?

A seer stone is just what it sounds like: a stone used by a “seer,” or someone who can see things through spiritual means. So are there seer stones in the Bible? The Bible mentions something used by high priests in ancient Israel called the Urim and Thummim. Most Bible scholars believe the Urim and Thummim were probably two sticks or stones used to miraculously reveal God’s will.

Joseph Smith used the term “Urim and Thummim” in the context of his work as well. He reported that when he received the golden plates—the ancient record that would become the Book of Mormon—he also received “two stones in silver bows.” Joseph referred to these as “interpreters,” saying that God had prepared them to help translate the record. While the Urim and Thummim served as kinds of seer stones, they weren’t Joseph’s first experience with using this kind of object.

Joseph Smith’s Early Use of Seer Stones

Before translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph had already owned at least two seer stones. One was white and found in 1819. The other was brown and discovered in 1822 while Joseph was digging a well, and it is in the Church History Museum’s possession today. There is nothing particularly remarkable about the Joseph Smith seer stone geology. As for what is the seer stone made of, it appears to be simple banded jasper. Nonetheless, Joseph seemed to have sincerely believed the stone was a gift from God.

In his adolescent years, Joseph used seer stones to help neighbors find lost items or even search for buried treasure. In Joseph’s rural, 19th-century American world, treasure-seeking was part of what some historians call “folk religion” or “folk magic.” Many people at that time believed that physical objects could be used to help accomplish spiritual tasks. A recent study by anthropologist Manuel Padro explained that treasure-seeking was not seen as evil by those who practiced it. In fact, some believed they were helping souls find peace by digging up treasure left behind by those who hadn’t used it righteously.

These treasure hunters would often fast and pray before going out, hoping to be spiritually guided. While some outsiders saw these practices as simple-minded or even occult, people like Joseph saw them as part of their Christian faith.

Eventually, Joseph left treasure-seeking behind. According to Martin Harris, one of Joseph’s early supporters, the angel Moroni told Joseph to stop associating with treasure-diggers. Joseph began to understand that his spiritual gift was meant for a different purpose.

Translating the Book of Mormon

Joseph began translating the Book of Mormon in 1828. At first, he used the interpreters—the stones that came with the golden plates. Later, he began using his own seer stone as well. He would place the Mormon seer stone in a hat to block out the light so he could see clearly. Then, according to eyewitnesses like David Whitmer, words would appear on the stone. Joseph would read them out loud, and a scribe—often Oliver Cowdery or Emma Smith—would write them down. When the words were written correctly, new words would appear on the stone.

This process happened without Joseph having any books, notes, or other materials nearby. He dictated for hours each day, producing an average of eight pages daily. His scribes, including close friends and family members, testified that he wasn’t secretly copying from anything. For many people, this strengthens their belief that Joseph was truly receiving divine help.

As time went on, Joseph didn’t use seer stones as often, feeling that he had become more experienced in receiving revelation directly from God. 

A Scriptural Tradition

The use of physical objects like seer stones may feel unfamiliar to people today, but it’s not a new idea. It’s a scriptural tradition that God uses everyday items—like rods, rocks, and handkerchiefs—to do His work. The Book of Mormon itself tells the story of the brother of Jared, who brought clear stones to the Lord. After the Lord touched them, they gave light to a ship crossing the ocean (Ether 3:1–4). In another verse, the stones are said to help people see spiritual writings more clearly (Ether 3:24).

The Joseph Smith seer stone was never just about magic or money. He saw them as tools prepared by God to help with His work. His role in using them was seen as a spiritual gift and responsibility, not something to be used for selfish reasons.

What Joseph Smith’s Use of Seer Stones Means Now

Joseph Smith’s use of a Mormon seer stone is a fascinating part of the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While it might seem strange from a modern perspective, it fits into a much larger scriptural tradition of God using physical objects to accomplish spiritual goals. Whether it was finding lost things, translating scripture, or receiving revelation, Joseph believed that his gift was from God, and he used it to produce a book that has changed millions of lives.

About Mormonism Explained

Mormonism Explained is a resource that was designed to provide objective and factual information about Mormonism, its history, doctrines, and policies. Our team of researchers consults experts and primary sources to present factual information on a variety of topics relevant to the Mormon Church.

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