...revelatory power was facilitated by gemstones, light, and even illuminated letters.

[kirtland r.m.]

I have posted more than a few posts on this forum on the Urim and Thummim, both ancient including Jaredite/Nephite and biblical, and latter day. Here is a bit more light on the subject from bookofmormoncentral.org., pun intended.

Biblical scholar Cornelis Van Dam has argued that although the evidence isn’t conclusive, there are good reasons to suspect that the breastplate was “designed to provide a pouch in which the [Urim and Thummim] … could be kept.”13 This nicely corresponds with William’s(Smith) description that a “pocket was prepared in the [Nephite] breastplate on the left side, immediately over the heart. When not in use the [interpreters were] placed in this pocket, the rod being of just the right length to allow it to be so deposited.”14

Most biblical scholars over the past few centuries have believed that the Urim and Thummim was “used merely to obtain a yes or no answer, similar to casting lots.”15 Yet Van Dam has argued that there “was something very lively and direct”16 about the Urim and Thummim’s revelatory process and that “[p]rophetic inspiration is the only revelatory means that is known that can adequately account for the complexity and subtlety of some of the answers received.”17 Similarly, Joseph Smith was able to receive detailed revelations from the Lord through the Nephite interpreters. Several early revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants were received in this manner.18

The terms Urim and Thummim possibly mean “light(s)” and “perfection(s).”19 A number of sources indicate that the divine object to which they referred was associated with a sacred name and that its revelatory power was facilitated by gemstones, light, and even illuminated letters.20 For instance, in discussing Exodus 28:30, Targum Pseudo-Jonathan states that “you shall put into the breastplate the Urim, which illuminate their words and make manifest the hidden things of the House of Israel.”21
https://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/ ... nd-thummim

[Mindfields]

For those interested in a historical perspective. https://bookofmormonism.com/2021/10/25/ ... f-history/

[Maroriginal1]

I learned from somebody, that studied Jewish texts, that the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle was completely dark for a specific purpose. The High Priest went in annually and was able to ask questions through prayer. The stones would light up as a yes or no response for what the priest was meant to know. The 12 stones with all the names of the tribes represents the full Hebrew alphabet and the letters were able to illuminate and spell out instructions. this rudimentary method provided Israel with direct instruction prior to the confirmation of the Holy Ghost. Maybe I was told a tall tale, but logically the stones all had to serve a purpose.

It makes Joseph’s claim of using a dark hat with a seer stone inside more feasible to understand. Lit stones guided the Brother of Jared. There are many other references to stones in the scriptures. For me I find stones as tools of illumination more logical than far fetched.

[kirtland r.m.]

Mindfields from his earlier post, and other posts by this writer), looks for a way not to believe. That is Mindfields right to choose. However, there is much that can be linked to the o.p.. For example this. Of particular relevance is the way that shining stones were directly linked to Noah’s ark. In the Bablyonian Talmud, for example, one Jewish commentator reported that the Lord instructed Noah to “Set therein precious stones and jewels, so that they may give thee light, bright as the noon.”6 Another ancient rabbi explained, “During the whole twelve months that Noah was in the Ark he did not require the light of the sun by day or the light of the moon by night, but he had a polished gem which he hung up.”https://evidencecentral.org/recency/evi ... ing-stones
This could very well be where the brother of Jared got the idea to start things off in the Western Hemisphere as recorded in scripture. It was the Jaredites who would pass down the Urim and Thummim which were after all also seen by latter day witnesses. It is no small thing that these and other artifacts were along with the plates, also shown to these witnesses.

[kirtland r.m.]

While on this subject, here is more. ...Nibley found that these non-biblical traditions, discovered long after 1830, compared favorably with elements of the Jaredite story.https://evidencecentral.org/recency/evi ... od-stories

[TheDuke]

I more believe the ancient U&T was yes or no, like casting lots. I personally don't see many, if any of the ancient HP's with enough spiritual moxie to work anything more complex. I had been a long time before Zacharias before anyone entering the HoH in ritual got any answer about anything, and he saw an angel, not getting answer through U&T (unless it was lost in the old temple timeframe of course).

[kirtland r.m.]

I more believe the ancient U&T was yes or no, like casting lots. I personally don't see many, if any of the ancient HP's with enough spiritual moxie to work anything more complex. I had been a long time before Zacharias before anyone entering the HoH in ritual got any answer about anything, and he saw an angel, not getting answer through U&T (unless it was lost in the old temple timeframe of course).

At least one biblical Urim and Thummim worked as you describe. Also, Urim (אוּרִים‎) traditionally has been taken to derive from a root meaning lights; these derivations are reflected in the Neqqudot of the Masoretic Text.[3] In consequence, Urim and Thummim has traditionally been translated as "lights and perfections" (by Theodotion, for example), or, by taking the phrase allegorically, as meaning "revelation and truth", or "doctrine and truth" (it appears in this form in the Vulgate, in the writing of St. Jerome, and in the Hexapla).[4] The latter use was defended in modern Catholic interpretations by connecting Urim and Thummim from the roots ירה (to teach) and אׇמַן (be true).[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urim_and_Thummim

[Jamescm]

This is what makes the Old Testament so fascinating to study; so much of the period is missing! The idea that Noah may have hung miraculously glowing stones up for light within the ark has no scriptural suggesting whatsoever. Why would it? It doesn't matter to us; the entirety of the first, what, two or three thousand years of human history are summed up as "this stuff happened. Now this is who Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were. Now on to Israel!" What all has happened in the last two thousand years? Imagine a scriptural record of the time between Christ's ministry and now that basically amounted to this:

"Christ performed the Atonement, it was glorious. Jerusalem fell. Christ's Church fell into apostasy, but here are the names of a few people who still sought His gospel. People spread over the earth, and there were wars. Joseph Smith was called as a prophet, the Church was restored, fled into the wilderness, and then some wars were fought."

Think of the personal and national struggles, trials of faith, and human advancement that would be entirely lost to a future people.
- The fall of the Han dynasty and the three kingdoms of China.
- The coming of Muhammed and the struggles both caused and suffered by his followers.
- The untold Christians who had neither prophet nor gift of the Holy Ghost yet pushed on toward Christ in whatever ways they knew how.
- The enlightenment and discovery (or rediscovery?) of physical and astronomical principles known today.
- The difficulties, suffering, sacrifices, and losses of many sea-faring peoples from Columbus, the Mayflower, Pacific Asian and Polynesian people, people seeking more efficient trading routes, and others.
- The unfolding of European empires such as the Dutch or the British.
- The upheavals of late medieval Japan, and the shock of opening up to the world.
- The fall of the Russian royal families and the rise of communist ideology with state-level influence. Oh, the horrors that brought over the next century!
- The secret combinations of contemporary and modern Gadianton robbers and the ways they orchestrate governments of the world today.
- The unfolding of every form of wickedness and debauchery warned of in almost all scriptural books.
- Immeasurable numbers of miracles small and great in the lives of prominent and unknown people alike. I'm just pulling these examples from the top of my head, but think of human history! What all happened during the first several chapters of Genesis that we don't know?

But glowing stones absolutely could have occurred, along with a great many interesting things, and would make the brother of Jared's arbitrary, on-the-spot request make perfect sense.

[Mindfields]

Mindfields from his earlier post, and other posts by this writer), looks for a way not to believe. That is Mindfields right to choose. However, there is much that can be linked to the o.p.. For example this. Of particular relevance is the way that shining stones were directly linked to Noah’s ark. In the Bablyonian Talmud, for example, one Jewish commentator reported that the Lord instructed Noah to “Set therein precious stones and jewels, so that they may give thee light, bright as the noon.”6 Another ancient rabbi explained, “During the whole twelve months that Noah was in the Ark he did not require the light of the sun by day or the light of the moon by night, but he had a polished gem which he hung up.”https://evidencecentral.org/recency/evi ... ing-stones
This could very well be where the brother of Jared got the idea to start things off in the Western Hemisphere as recorded in scripture. It was the Jaredites who would pass down the Urim and Thummim which were after all also seen by latter day witnesses. It is no small thing that these and other artifacts were along with the plates, also shown to these witnesses.

No need to look very hard. Honestly, you should read the link I posted.