The "Urim & Thummim" were perhaps Joseph's own eyes, which in a mystical state of consciousness could "see" the visionary "plates." He lost these "gifts" for a time.
Tag: mind
Was Joseph Smith intentionally deceitful or lying about the “Gold Plates”? A Mystical View
If Joseph made the plates he had in his possession, then didn't he lie in saying otherwise? Maybe there is more to it, which ties into the mystical nature of his visions.
The Mysticism of the Hard Problem of Consciousness
The hard problem of consciousness may lead us to an irreducible mysticism in the nature of the mind and body, namely that they are two sides of the very same one thing.
Nihilism in the Light of Mystical Experience
Nihilism is a philosophy that says that life is meaningless. It says there is no objective meaning, intrinsic value, or purpose in life. What does mysticism and the mystical experience say about that?
Overcoming Separation is the Spiritual-Mystical Journey
Separation seems to be a theme that shows up in every spiritual tradition, and the overcoming of it to union is the goal of the seeker.
Why Love Another? What for? Mysticism Doesn’t Just Tell Us—It Shows Us!
What is Love? How do we know it? How are we One in it? The mystical experience shows us directly not only what Love is, but that we are Love.
Letting go of our “truth” is how we find the Truth
It is perhaps the greatest paradox of all, which the mind will never understand. That is the point.
The Tension between Absolute Knowing and Mystical Uncertainty
Can we know anything absolutely? Is there an absolute objective truth out there? What does mysticism say about this?
The Body-Mind is a Temporary Form of our Divine Identity
Is the body an essential part of our true Self? Or is it like a temporary temple for the Divine to live?
Super Natural, not Supernatural or Unnatural
What is God's relationship with nature? Is God supernatural or natural? Or both?