“Joseph Smith could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter; let alone dictating a book like the Book of Mormon. And, though I was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, and was present during the translation of the plates, and had cognizance of things as they transpired, it is marvelous to me, ‘a marvel and a wonder,’ as much so as to any one else.” — Emma Hale Smith1
Joseph translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God2 and used both the Urim and Thummim and a seer stone to do so. Joseph described the Urim and Thummim as "two stones in silver bows" fastened to a breastplate and said that "God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book."3 The seer stone was a small oval stone Joseph had discovered years before, and one he'd also used to search for lost items or buried treasure.4
Emma served as Joseph's first scribe.5 When translating, Joseph would place either the Urim and Thummim or the seer stone in a hat, press the hat to his face, and read the translation out loud.4 Emma would then write down the translation. Joseph didn't use any other notes or books to help translate. Instead, Emma and Joseph would sit together for hours, him dictating and her writing.5 Emma said the plates would "rustle with a metallic sound when the edges were moved by the thumb."6
