The prosecution levels a number of charges against the book of mormon these will be familiar to anyone who has discussed this book of scripture with an antimormon. Millet, doctrinal commentary on the book of mormon, 4 vols. Along with the prophecies recorded in the book of mormon, there are also firsthand witnesses of the resurrected savior. The latterday saint classmate figures out that the historical witness, professor charles anthon 1, is not a knowledgable witness in regards to joseph smith and then calls emma smith to the stand. Reasoning from the scriptures with mormons by ron rhodes more insights from your bible study get started with logos bible software for free. The prosecution levels a number of charges against the book of mormon these will be familiar to anyone who has discussed this book of scripture with an anti mormon. The first edition of the book of mormon featured two testimonials. While joseph smith was translating the book of mormon, the lord revealed that, in addition to the prophets testimony, the world would have the testimony of three of my servants, whom i shall call and ordain, unto whom i will show these things. Smith said he had been directed by the angel moroni to translate this work from reformed egyptian into english. The coming forth of the book of mormon, foretold by ancient prophets, began with an angelic visitation in 1823 to 17yearold joseph smith.
Testimony of the eight witnesses to the book of mormon when the church of jesus christ of latterday saints was formally organized on april 6, 1830, john was one of the people of whom six were required by new york law to organize a new church who was blessed to become an official member that day. The book of mormon is the second sacred text of mormons. Aug 18, 2009 a faithful witness to the book of mormon duration. The three witnesses of the book of mormon were oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris. Witnesses of the book of mormon church of jesus christ. I can personally witness that the book of mormon is true. Martin harris is a firm believer in shakerism, says his testimony is greater than it was for the book of mormon martin harris witness and benefactor of the book of mormon, 1955, p. As church membership mushroomed, and it became clear the book of mormon. By 1847, not a single one of the surviving eleven witnesses were affiliated with the mormon church.
From her questioning of emma smith, the classmate proves that the book of mormon is true, through physical and spiritual evidence. Petersen 190084 of the quorum of the twelve apostles once said, the chief reason we have the. The american scripture that launched a new world religion new york. Their written testimony of three witnesses has been included in all of the almost 100 million copies of the book of mormon the church has published since 1830. Annotated edition of the book of mormon new 2nd edition. Gospel principles taught in the book of mormon laid out in an accessible format for the. Three witnesses mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. The 11 witnesses were all good, honorable men and regarded as upstanding members of the community. Christian whitmer, jacob whitmer, peter whitmer, jr. The book of mormon is an account of the former inhabitants of this continent that contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. It is inconclusive if the witnesses actually saw plates or if they only. The title page of the book of mormon states that this preserved record is written to the remnant of the house of israel, to show what great things the lord has done, that they may know the covenants he has made that they are not cast off forever, and most importantly it is a witness that jesus is the christ. Harper, the witnesses to the book of mormon provide some of the most compelling evidence in favor of its miraculous revelation and translation. Joseph smith said that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book, history of the church, vol.
Mary whitmer, lucy mack smith, lucy harris, and emma smith aided in the translation of the book of mormon and offered their own witnesses of the plates reality. Key witnesses, such as joseph smith, oliver cowdery, martin harris, and emma smith are called to the stand to answer questions. The following is their testimony that can be found in the first pages of the book of mormon. However, if we define book of mormon witness broadly, as brigham young did, then yes, there were others who were witnesses of the book of mormon, some of whom even claim to have seen angels or the plates, who later fell away and may have even doubted the book of mormon. Lucy harris we commonly think of lucy harris as a hostile critic who opposed the church and the book of mormon and may have been the cause for the disappearance of the 116 pages. Richard lloyd anderson presents evidence from original sources on each of the eleven witnesses and concludes. Jun 29, 2012 those who frequently witness to mormons seem to gravitate to one of three different approaches. Four women were witnesses to book of mormon translation. The three special witnesses saw the angel moroni and the plates. Q are you sure that he had the plates at the time you were writing for him. The three are part of twelve book of mormon witnesses, who also include smith and the eight witnesses. Oxford university press, 2003, 4142, emphasis added.
The most significant witnesses are the three witnesses and the eight witnesses, all of whom allowed their names to be used on two separate statements included with the book of mormon. Jan 02, 2020 others are from the book of mormon itself, e. According to elder holland, preeminent in the lords arsenal to combat the evils of the world is the book of mormon, as the book is infused with the power of christ to counter all troubles in all timesincluding the end of times. This site provides a chapter by chapter analysis of true gospel principles explained through blog posts, vocabulary tips, questions, and fun activities, enjoy. David whitmer, one of the book of mormons three witnesses, said if you believe my testimony to the book of mormon. Many critics of the book of mormon witnesses say that the witnesses of the book of mormon denied their written testimonies in statements to different people over the years. In the front of every edition of the book of mormon are statements from eleven men who testify of the authenticity of the gold plates joseph smith claimed to have received from the angel moroni. Phineas young wrote to his older brother brigham young on december 31, 1841, from kirtland, ohio. Look in the more section for lesson summaries of book of mormon chapters. Following those words came one of the most powerful apostolic witnesses of the book of mormon. In the first, oliver cowdery, david whitmer and martin harris affirm that theyve seen the plates from which the book of. In addition to the visual and audible witness, lucy mack smith would help find hiding places for the plates and often defended the reality of the plates.
Lucy harris we commonly think of lucy harris as a hostile critic who opposed the church and the book of mormon and may have been the cause for the disappearance of the 116 pages that were entrusted to her husband, martin harris. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. Season three filming of book of mormon liveaction series. According to the introduction to the book of mormon, what will those who gain a divine witness of the book of mormon also come to know is true. Three witnesses oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris declared an angel of god appeared to them and showed them the book of mormon plates and they heard the voice of the lord pronounce that. One of the most powerful and impressive of these is found in nephis prophetic discourse regarding the baptism of christ in 2 nephi 31.
I know that joseph smith was a prophet called of god. Unlike other christians, mormons actually see the fall when sin entered the world as a result of adam and eve s disobedience as a positive event. The following was originally printed in the septemberoctober 20 edition of mormonism researched. Those who frequently witness to mormons seem to gravitate to one of three different approaches.
The author, richard lloyd anderson, gives many historical details about the statements of such critics and the sources and background of their statements. The three men chosen as witnesses of the book of mormon were oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris. The book of mormon adds a second witness to the bible as a testimony of christ. Deseret news archives this monument honers the eight witnesses of the book of mormon and was erected in liberty, missouri, on the same day the 100th anniversary of the three witnesses monument in richmond, missouri. For previous discussion of this story, see brant a. Uncompromising witness of the book of mormon reveals the compelling story of a man who had seen angels and knew joseph smith was a prophet but who nevertheless struggled to keep his faith in the prophetic calling of joseph smith and the restoration of. For a huge array of resources, talks, articles, videos, and so forth, go to or. Four women were witnesses to book of mormon translation process. They were all members of the whitmer or smith families. Petersen 190084 of the quorum of the twelve apostles. My kindness shall not depart from thee rob gardner duration. Statements clearly traced to the witnesses verify the testimonies printed in the book of mormon.
We will discuss these methods in more detail, but first lets consider a. How would you defend the book of mormon in a court. Three witnesses oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris declared an angel of god appeared to them and showed them the book of mormon plates and they heard the voice of the lord pronounce that joseph smiths translation had. Attacks against the book of mormon have experienced a kind of mission creep since its publication in 1830. I know the mormon church the church of jesus christ of latterday saints really is the restored church on the earth, established by divine authority.
As production for season three wraps and postproduction begins, new videos and images from the first and second seasons, covering book of mormon chapters 1 nephi 1 through enos 1, will be released each friday from september 20 to december 27, 2019. As we touched on above, the prophet joseph smith translated the ancient book by what he called a revelation from god. Mar 12, 2019 a surprising nonlds witness of the plates. According to anderson, whitmer affirmed his witness of the book of mormon many times, including to a mob in 1833 in independence, missouri, who threatened his life. In the lds church, much emphasis is placed on the witness of three men who said that they saw the gold plates which were translated by joseph smith into the book of mormon, as well as eight additional witnesses who testified of their belief in the book of mormon. There are several theories as to the origin of the book of mormon. Three witnesses the three witnesses are david whitmer, oliver cowdery, and martin harris, who mortgaged his farm to finance the first printing of the book of mormon. Also see the vast body of scholarship in past and current publications at the maxwell institute. Lehi took his family into the wilderness, crossed the sea to a land of promise on the american continent, and a great, albeit relatively small, civilization was established. The joint statement of the three witnesses oliver cowdery, martin harris, and david whitmer has been printed with a separate statement by the eight witnesses in nearly every edition of the book of mormon since its first publication in 1830.
Theyre distinctly different both in their tone and in what they describe. I know that the book of mormon is true and is a divinely inspired record. But none of these ever denied their witness of the book of mormon. Jan 26, 2017 eight witnesses to gold plates and their testimony is included in the book of mormon. Critics began by labeling the book bungling and stupid, joe smith a perfect ignoramus, and they claimed any blunderhead, with the bible at his side, might have written it. Nov 30, 2015 in addition to the visual and audible witness, lucy mack smith would help find hiding places for the plates and often defended the reality of the plates. Uncompromising witness of the book of mormon reveals the compelling story of a man who had seen angels and knew joseph smith was a prophet but who nevertheless struggled to keep his faith in the prophetic calling of joseph smith and the restoration of the gospel of jesus christ.
President nelson grandfathers visit from the other side of the veil and family history. The doctrine of god the father is taught in specific, unique episodes of the book of mormon where the father and the son are described as separate divine personages. The book of mormon contains two sets of joint statements written by joseph smith for those who claimed to have seen the gold plates. Romney for me there could be no more impelling reason for reading the book of mormon than this statement of the lord that we shall be judged by what is written in it.
Thus, we find every living book of mormon witnesses, except oliver cowdery, accepting strang as their prophet, at least for a time. David whitmer, one of the book of mormon s three witnesses, said if you believe my testimony to the book of mormon. The most common belief of adherents is that promoted by joseph smith, who said he translated ancient golden plates inscribed by prophets. In every copy of the book of mormon is the signed statement by the witnesses of the bom. Questions about the witnesses to the reality of the.
Book of mormonwitnessesother book of mormon witnesses. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses deseret book. That we, through the grace of god the father, and our lord jesus christ, have seen the plates which. Next to the bible, the lds church believes in the book of mormon. Theldslife living life as a latterday saint 18,097 views. A journal of mormon scripture, another account of mary whitmers viewing of the golden plates. Book of mormon video series first season debut draws closer. Book of mormon witnesses all later denied its truthfulness. The doctrine of god the father in the book of mormon. Shook, the true origin of the book of mormon cincinnati.
The nephites saw the savior descend from the heavens and heard him declare, behold, i am jesus christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world 3 nephi 11. Seven years later, in 1830, this scriptural canon of the latterday saints was published for the world. Mormon prophets who lived from 600 bc to ad 400 wrote the book. Three witnesses oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris declared an angel of god appeared to them and showed them the book of mormon plates and they heard the voice of the lord pronounce. The eight other witnesses just saw and handled the golden plates. Analytical and contextual commentary on the book of mormon, 6 vols. The book of mormon provided multiple official and unofficial witnesses who corroborated aspects of josephs account. Book of mormon the testimony of three witnesses youtube. Smith claimed the angel moroni, a prophet in the book of mormon. One of the best sources of current scholarship on the book of mormon and other lds topics is the new mormon interpreter, a site managed by daniel peterson. Book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation.
Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses religious studies. Why are there two sets of official book of mormon witnesses. Key witnesses, such as joseph smith, oliver cowdery, martin harris, and emma smith are called to. In this carefully researched, thoughtprovoking book, dr. The world was not left with joseph smiths testimony alone. Jan 02, 2016 according to elder holland, preeminent in the lords arsenal to combat the evils of the world is the book of mormon, as the book is infused with the power of christ to counter all troubles in all timesincluding the end of times. The book of mormon witnesses are a group of contemporaries of joseph smith who claimed to have seen the golden plates from which smith translated the book of mormon. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, joseph smith stated, and the keystone of our religion. The three witnesses is the collective name for three men connected with the early latter day saint movement who stated that an angel had shown them the golden plates from which joseph smith, jr. Two solemn declarations the testimony of three witnesses and the testimony of eight witnesses have been published with the book of mormon since 1830. Second witness references the subtitle of the book of mormon, another testament of jesus christ.
Harmon, made in about 1885, cited in vogel, emd, 2. Bofm witnesses presentation provides a spiritual and temporal witness of the realities of the book of mormon. Critics have long tried to dismiss or destroy the witnesses witness. In the first pages of the book of mormon, we can receive a witness that the lord watches over those who are faithful to him, and will provide a way for their deliverance. Smith said, the book of mormon is a book of scripture that was translated by the gift and power of god, for the voice of god declared to the three witnesses that it had been translated by the gift and power of god and that it was true. Are there any other witnesses to the book of mormon plates besides the three and eight witnesses.
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