Question 21

The importance of the Urim and Thummim in effecting the translation of The Book of Mormon is greatly stressed today.  What is the explanation for the fact that the principals involved with the translation process (Emma Smith, Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer) agreed that most of the translation was accomplished with Joseph having his face buried in his hat with a stone in it, and that the golden plates were usually not even present?

Response: