Seer Stone V. Urim and Thummim Quotes

“there is no authentic statement in the history of the Church which states that the use of such a stone [seer stone] was made in that translation. The information is all hearsay, and personally, I do not believe that this stone was used for this purpose. The reason I give for this conclusion is found in the statement of the Lord to the Brother of Jared as recorded in Ether 3:22–24.9”
― L. Hannah Stoddard, Seer Stone v. Urim and Thummim: Book of Mormon Translation on Trial

“[Moroni said] that there were two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim— deposited with the plates; and the possession and the use of these stones were what constituted “seers” in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book.1”
― L. Hannah Stoddard, Seer Stone v. Urim and Thummim: Book of Mormon Translation on Trial

“Furthermore, some historians suggest that the term “Urim and Thummim” and “seer stone” are interchangeable. Moroni’s description, however, dispels all doubt on this question. The translation instrument Moroni and Joseph Smith referred to as the Urim and Thummim consisted of two stones, not one, and they both described the stones as transparent—not opaque or dark—set in the rim of a bow.”
― L. Hannah Stoddard, Seer Stone v. Urim and Thummim: Book of Mormon Translation on Trial

“Moroni’s description reveals a few important details, including the assertion that God “prepared” the Urim and Thummim for the “purpose” of “translating” the Nephite plates. In light of this, it is clear that unless Joseph Smith chose to disregard rebelliously the will of the Lord by tossing aside the Urim and Thummim in favor of a seer stone, then he must have translated the Nephite plates, as the true witnesses agree, with the interpreters.”
― L. Hannah Stoddard, Seer Stone v. Urim and Thummim: Book of Mormon Translation on Trial