God’s prophets have often used instruments to receive revelation about and communicate His will. A recent essay released by the Church reads:

‍Elijah learned that God spoke not to him through the wind or fire or earthquake but through a “still small voice.” [1 Kings 19:11–12]  Paul and other early Apostles sometimes communicated with angels and, on occasion, with the Lord Jesus Christ [Acts 9:1–8; 12:7–9]. At other times, revelation came in the form of dreams or visions, such as the revelation to Peter to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, or through sacred objects like the Urim and Thummim [Acts 11:4–17; 16:9–10; Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8; Numbers 21:9].¹⁴

Latter-day Saints know that Joseph Smith used various instruments to translate the Book of Mormon. This included the Urim and Thummim, described as “two stones which were fastened into the two rims of a bow” (Mosiah 28:13–15). Along with these instruments, Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon through the use of a brown seer stone.

The Church has acknowledged its possession of the seer stone for a long time. Latter-day Saint scholars and leaders, however, have differed on whether Joseph Smith used it in his translation of the Book of Mormon. The various attitudes over time have been well-documented by Latter-day Saint David Snell.¹⁵

Pictures of the seer stone were first released in 2015.¹⁶

Joseph Smith’s use of the seer stone can be inspiring. It can confirm the truth taught in scripture that God speaks to us according to our language so that we can come to understanding (2 Nephi 31:3; Doctrine & Covenants 1:24).