Elder John A. Widtsoe described a seer as “one who sees with spiritual eyes. He perceives the meaning of that which seems obscure to others; therefore he is an interpreter and clarifier of eternal truth. He foresees the future from the past and the present. This he does by the power of the Lord operating through him directly, or indirectly with the aid of divine instruments such as the Urim and Thummim. In short, he is one who sees, who walks in the Lord’s light with open eyes” (Evidences and Reconciliations, 258).
“The translation of ancient records is another aspect of seership (Mosiah 8:13). In that connection ancient Joseph foretold the scriptural labors of Joseph Smith (2 Ne. 3:6–9, 11–15)” (Largey, Book of Mormon Reference Companion, 711).