6. _The Manner of Translating the Book of Mormon:_ The sum of the whole matter, then, concerning the manner of translating the sacred record of the Nephites, according to the testimony of the only witnesses competent to testify in the matter is: With the Nephite record was deposited a curious instrument, consisting of two transparent stones, set in the rim of a bow, somewhat resembling spectacles, but larger, called by the ancient Hebrews "Urim and Thummim," but by the Nephites "Interpreters." In addition to these "Interpreters" the Prophet Joseph had a "Seer Stone," possessed of similar qualities to the Urim and Thummim; that the prophet sometimes used one and sometimes the other of these sacred instruments in the work of translation; that whether the "Interpreters" or the "Seer Stone" was used the Nephite characters with the English interpretation appeared in the sacred instrument; that the Prophet would pronounce the English translation to his scribe, which when correctly written would disappear and the other characters with their interpretation take their place, and so on until the work was completed. It should not be supposed, however, that this translation though accomplished by means of the "Interpreters" and "Seer Stone," as stated above, was merely a mechanical procedure; that no faith, or mental or spiritual effort was required on the prophet's part; that the instruments did all, while he who used them did nothing but look and repeat mechanically what he saw there reflected. * * * * I repeat, then, that the translation of the Book of Mormon by means of the "Interpreters" and "Seer Stone," was not merely a mechanical process, but required the utmost concentration of mental and spiritual force possessed by the Prophet, in order to exercise the gift of translation through the means of the sacred instruments provided for that work. This might be inferred from the general truth that God sets no premium upon mental and spiritual laziness; for whatever means God may have provided to assist man to arrive at the truth, he has always made it necessary for him to couple with those means his utmost endeavor of mind and heart." (Y. M. M. I. A. Manual, 1903-5, pp. 68-9.) Footnotes 1. Let the selection be from the Book of Mormon throughout the Book of Mormon section of the year's work. 2. This is a new work by Elder B. H. Roberts, just issued from the Deseret News press, and the question of the manner in which the Book of Mormon was translated is discussed at great length. LESSON II. SCRIPTURE READING EXERCISE. _THE ANCIENT AMERICAN SCRIPTURE--THE BOOK OF MORMON. (Continued.)_ ANALYSIS. REFERENCES. _I. The Nephite Plates._ Note 1. 1. Dimensions. Wentworth Letter, 2. Weight and Appearance. Mill. Star Vol. XIX: 117.