Using divining rods as instruments for revelation?

[GoCeltics]

A church manual says the following:

"The Old Testament account of Moses and his brother Aaron recounted several instances of using rods to manifest God's will (see Exodus 7:9–12; Numbers 17:8). Many Christians in Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery’s day similarly believed in divining rods as instruments for revelation. Oliver was among those who believed in and used a divining rod".

What prominent Christians in Joseph Smith’s day believed in and used divining rods as instruments of revelation? Besides the two persons mentioned above, did any of the apostles in the last 150 years use rods to obtain revelation?

[Tacenda]

I've spoken here about this in the past, but while visiting Nauvoo, Illinois with my husband we came upon a senior missionary at an old cemetery using divining rods. He was finding graves that were missing headstones. I guess the mob threw many headstones down the ravine near the cemetery. It was basically a metal hanger shaped in a "v" if remembering right. I would need to look up how to make one. 

[Dario_M]

1 hour ago, GoCeltics said:

 

What prominent Christians in Joseph Smith’s day believed in and used divining rods?

Well not me anyway i think. 

[CV75]

5 hours ago, GoCeltics said:

A church manual says the following:

"The Old Testament account of Moses and his brother Aaron recounted several instances of using rods to manifest God's will (see Exodus 7:9–12; Numbers 17:8). Many Christians in Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery’s day similarly believed in divining rods as instruments for revelation. Oliver was among those who believed in and used a divining rod".

What prominent Christians in Joseph Smith’s day believed in and used divining rods as instruments of revelation? Besides the two persons mentioned above, did any of the apostles in the last 150 years use rods to obtain revelation?

A slide rule reveals mathematical truths.

[blackstrap]

I have not heard of the use of rods for revelation, but where I live we still use " water witches " to find wells. It is , however, a dying skill. 

[sunstoned]

I grew up in a family of old-school cattle ranchers. My father and his brothers planted crops by the phases of the moon and they would always hire a water witcher when it came time to drill a well. As I became older and college-educated, I wrote this stuff off as generational superstitions.  Then one day I went on a vacation. 

My wife and I visited the UK, and got the opportunity to tour Stonehenge. The guide showed us that Stonehenge was not alone. There were other mounds (probably burials) throughout the countryside.  We could see several of them. He showed us they were built in alignment with Stonehenge. If you took a map and drew a straight line connecting the mounds, the line would intersect with Stonehenge.    As we walked around the outside of Stonehenge (they don't let you get close to the large stones anymore), the guide would stop at one of the alinements and hand a visitor two wires, each had a 90-degree bend in them.  As the person holding the wires would walk through the alignment, the wires would twist and align themselves with the mounds.  I was skeptical until it was my turn.  I held the wires tight, and sure enough they twisted in my hand.  This was not a gradual thing.  Both wires would actually whip around.  There were about twenty visitors there including my wife and I, and all experienced this.  When I got back, I confided to my dad that I am a witching believer.

Edited August 16, 2024 by sunstoned

[T-Shirt]

The city I live in still uses brass rods for locating old unmapped water pipes that are underground.

[2BizE]

If you go to the Gospel Library app> church history> Revelations in context > Oliver Cowdery’s Gift it talks about how Oliver used divining rods (aka sprout). Here is an excerpt:

“Oliver Cowdery lived in a culture steeped in biblical ideas, language, and practices. The revelation’s reference to Moses likely resonated with him. The Old Testament account of Moses and his brother Aaron recounted several instances of using rods to manifest God’s will (see Exodus 7:9–12; Numbers 17:8). Many Christians in Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery’s day similarly believed in divining rods as instruments for revelation. Oliver was among those who believed in and used a divining rod.

The Lord recognized Oliver’s ability to use a rod: “Thou hast another gift which is the gift of working with the sprout [or rod].” Confirming the divinity of this gift, the revelation stated: “Behold there is no other power save God that can cause this thing of Nature to work in your hands for it is the work of God.” If Oliver desired, the revelation went on to say, the Lord would add the gift of translation to the revelatory gifts Oliver already possessed.

Though we know very few details about Oliver Cowdery’s attempt to translate, it apparently did not go well. His efforts quickly came to naught. In the wake of Oliver’s failure, Joseph Smith received another revelation, counseling Oliver, “Be patient my son, for it is wisdom in me, and it is not expedient that you should translate at this present time.” Oliver was also told he had not understood the process. He was told: “You must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right, I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you.”