Hi friend. The words "Urim and Thummim" are Hebrew words meaning "lights and perfections." In the Bible, these sacred objects were associated with the High Priest's breastplate. See, for example, Exodus 28:30, Leviticus 8:8, Ezra 2:63, etc.
Joseph Smith received similar objects when he was given an ancient book of scripture. He used those objects to translate the ancient record into English by way of revelation from God. Today this record is called the Book of Mormon.
Most Mormons believe that the Urim and Thummim were special instruments that helped Joseph receive divine revelation. An entire book was recently written by non-Mormon scholars that likewise describes the Urim and Thummim as objects that facilitated revelation from God (Cornelius Van Dam, The Urim and Thummim: A Means of Revelation in Ancient Israel. Winona Lake, Indiana, Eisenbrauns, 1997).
Interestingly, the Talmudic rabbis, as well as the ancient historian Josephus, believed that the Urim and Thummim transmitted God's will by way of beams of light. I don't know that Joseph ever explained in detail how the objects worked for him, but this ancient description seems consistent with accounts describing the Book of Mormon translation. Joseph was said to place the Urim and Thummim in his hat to block outside light. If the objects were transmitting God's message by way of beams of light, Joseph's seemingly strange behavior is easily explained.
It is unlikely, of course, that Joseph new of the ancient rabbinical teachings about the Urim and Thummim. It is also unlikely that he had read Josephus. Instead, he apparently learned how to use the Urim and Thummim by divine inspiration.
Apple is currently working on an iPhone application called the "Urim and Thummim" (iUrim for short) that will likewise transmit God's message through flashing lights. The application will automatically turn down the iPhone's screen brightness so users will only be able to see the message in low light such as that found in a covered hat.
Okay, I made that last paragraph up. I just couldn't resist. :)
Joseph Smith received similar objects when he was given an ancient book of scripture. He used those objects to translate the ancient record into English by way of revelation from God. Today this record is called the Book of Mormon.
Most Mormons believe that the Urim and Thummim were special instruments that helped Joseph receive divine revelation. An entire book was recently written by non-Mormon scholars that likewise describes the Urim and Thummim as objects that facilitated revelation from God (Cornelius Van Dam, The Urim and Thummim: A Means of Revelation in Ancient Israel. Winona Lake, Indiana, Eisenbrauns, 1997).
Interestingly, the Talmudic rabbis, as well as the ancient historian Josephus, believed that the Urim and Thummim transmitted God's will by way of beams of light. I don't know that Joseph ever explained in detail how the objects worked for him, but this ancient description seems consistent with accounts describing the Book of Mormon translation. Joseph was said to place the Urim and Thummim in his hat to block outside light. If the objects were transmitting God's message by way of beams of light, Joseph's seemingly strange behavior is easily explained.
It is unlikely, of course, that Joseph new of the ancient rabbinical teachings about the Urim and Thummim. It is also unlikely that he had read Josephus. Instead, he apparently learned how to use the Urim and Thummim by divine inspiration.
Apple is currently working on an iPhone application called the "Urim and Thummim" (iUrim for short) that will likewise transmit God's message through flashing lights. The application will automatically turn down the iPhone's screen brightness so users will only be able to see the message in low light such as that found in a covered hat.
Okay, I made that last paragraph up. I just couldn't resist. :)