A careful reading of the writings of the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, his scribe, reveals no information regarding the manner of translating the Book of Mormon, except that "it was translated by the gift and power of God by the aid of the Urim and Thummim." This is also the conclusion of Brigham H. Roberts.

After a lapse of forty years of time, both David Whitmer and Martin Harris attempted to give the method of translation. Evidently the Prophet did not tell them the method, for he states positively it was not expedient "for him to relate these things."

The conclusion is that no one knows the procedure or exact method of the translation. All that is known is contained in these words, "It was translated by the gift and power of God, with the aid of the Urim and Thummim." Beyond this statement, it is only conjecture. The dictation was continuous without correction. It was not human. It was divine.