“And whosoever has these things is called Seer, after the manner of old times.”—Book of Mormon, p. 228, 16 v.
By the above we learn that the Urim and Thummim or interpreters was anciently used, and answered the description of those that Joseph is represented as receiving.
The Prophet’s mother was permitted to see and handle them and describes them thus:
“I found that they consisted of two smooth, three-cornered diamonds, set in glass, and the glasses were set in silver bows which were connected with each other in much the same way as old-fashioned spectacles.”
Martin Harris described them just the same, only he said they were larger than the ordinary spectacles.
Some have marveled at the Lord’s choice in selecting one so young and unlearned as Joseph Smith to perform so great a work. However, the Lord’s ways are not man’s ways. For,
“As the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are the Lord’s ways higher than man’s ways.”
As an instance we read how the Lord sent the prophet Samuel unto Jesse, saying he had provided a king among his sons. And how, when Samuel looked on Eliab, he thought surely the Lord’s anointed was before him. But the Lord said unto Samuel:
“Look not at his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him; for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
After seven sons of Jesse had been presented, Samuel asked, “Are here all thy children?” to which Jesse replied, “There remaineth yet the youngest and behold he keepeth the sheep.” And he it was whom the Lord had chosen should be anointed king. Samuel did the bidding of the Lord, and we learn that the spirit of God rested upon David, and he became a man after God’s own heart.