William McLellin said that Joseph did not have a curtain between him and the scribe and used the 'director' in a hat to translate.
William McLellin (declarant, Feb 1870) --- N/A (recorder) · 0.0 yrs after events · Thirdhand+
Reference
William E. McLellin to “My Dear Friends,” February 1870, Community of Christ Library-Archives
Date of Account
Feb 1870
Date of Events
1828–1829
Retrospective Distance
0.0 yrs after events
Hearsay Tier
Thirdhand+ — Tagged 'Holograph Direct'
Point of View
todo
Status
Unreviewed
Source Type
Letter
Audience
My Dear Friends
Transcription
I staid in Richmond two days and nights. I had a great deal of talk with widow Cowdry, and her amiable daughter. She is married to a Dr Johnson, but has no children. She gave me a certificate, And this is the copy. “Richmond, Ray Co., Mo. Feb 15, 1870———I cheerfully certify that I was familiar with the manner of Joseph Smith’s translating the book of Mormon. He translated the most of it at my Father’s house. And I often sat by and saw and heard them translate and write for hours together. Joseph never had a curtain drawn between him and his scribe while he was translating. He would place the director in his hat, and then place his face in his hat, so as to exclude the light, and then [read the words?] as they appeared before him.BHR Staff Commentary