A surgical stapler (1200, 1300) comprising: a shaft; an articulation joint comprising a first joint member and a second joint member, one of said first joint member and said second joint member comprising a ball member, the other of said first joint member and said second joint member comprising a socket, wherein said ball member is configured to move within said socket to permit said second joint member to articulate relative to said first joint member; a first magnetic member (1249a, 1249b) mounted to said first joint member; a second magnetic member (1240a, 1240b); and an end effector, wherein said end effector is movably coupled to said shaft by said articulation joint, said end effector comprising: a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; and an anvil movably coupled to said staple cartridge channel, wherein one of said first magnetic element (1249a, 1249b) and said second magnetic element (1240a, 1240b) is configured to apply a magnetic force to the other of said first magnetic element (1249a, 1249b) and said second magnetic element (1240a, 1240b), and wherein said magnetic force is sufficient to articulate said end effector relative to said shaft; a firing member; wherein said second magnetic member (1240a, 1240b) is mounted to said second joint member and wherein the ball member and socket define a passage which is configured to slidably receive the firing member. a shaft; an articulation joint comprising a first joint member and a second joint member, one of said first joint member and said second joint member comprising a ball member, the other of said first joint member and said second joint member comprising a socket, wherein said ball member is configured to move within said socket to permit said second joint member to articulate relative to said first joint member; a first magnetic member (1249a, 1249b) mounted to said first joint member; a second magnetic member (1240a, 1240b); and an end effector, wherein said end effector is movably coupled to said shaft by said articulation joint, said end effector comprising: a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; and an anvil movably coupled to said staple cartridge channel, wherein one of said first magnetic element (1249a, 1249b) and said second magnetic element (1240a, 1240b) is configured to apply a magnetic force to the other of said first magnetic element (1249a, 1249b) and said second magnetic element (1240a, 1240b), and wherein said magnetic force is sufficient to articulate said end effector relative to said shaft; a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; and an anvil movably coupled to said staple cartridge channel, wherein one of said first magnetic element (1249a, 1249b) and said second magnetic element (1240a, 1240b) is configured to apply a magnetic force to the other of said first magnetic element (1249a, 1249b) and said second magnetic element (1240a, 1240b), and wherein said magnetic force is sufficient to articulate said end effector relative to said shaft; a firing member; wherein said second magnetic member (1240a, 1240b) is mounted to said second joint member and wherein the ball member and socket define a passage which is configured to slidably receive the firing member.