The first edition of the book of mormon featured two testimonials. The angel moroni, who was in charge of the plates, was a nephite. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to latter day saint theology, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Oliver was once excommunicated from the church for, among other things. The eight other witnesses just saw and handled the golden plates.
They sometimes joined the other book of mormon witnesses to reaffirm their testimony printed in the 1830 edition of the book of mormon regarding lifting and turning the leaves of the plates. Mary whitmerwitness of the book of mormon one people. Witnesses of the book of mormon it seems to me that any member of this church would never be satisfied until he or she had read the book of mormon time and time again and thoroughly considered. Emma smith statements as a witness witnesses of the book. The witness testimonies are some of the best secular evidences for the book of mormon s truth. They are not compatible with kindle or other ereader devices. Truth about book of mormon witnesses life after ministry. Obviously, the book of mormon witnesses consented to the witness statement and agreed with it.
Emma smithwitness of the book of mormon one people. Other witnesses other witnesses katharine told me that while dusting up the room where the prophet had his study she saw a package on the table containing the gold plates on which was engraved the story of the book of mormon. She grew up in harmony, pennsylvania, along the banks of the susquehanna river on a acre farm. 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.
The book refers to the book of mormon and to the sealed portion of the plates of mormon. Witnesses of the book of mormon witnesses of the book of. The gold plates contained the teachings of prophets in ancient america. Oxford university press, 2003, 4142, emphasis added. The interpreter foundation is a nonprofit educational organization focused on the scriptures of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the book of mormon, the pearl of great price, the bible, and the doctrine and covenants, early latterday saint history, and related subjects. What led to such a young man being selected for the important and sacred responsibility of being a witness. Book of mormonwitnessesother book of mormon witnesses fair.
Witness truth of the annotated book of mormon literally. In every copy of the book of mormon is the signed statement by the witnesses of the bom. Some mormons will agree that all three witnesses denied the book of mormon but came back to deny their denial. Mary musselman whitmer i have heard my grandmother mary musselman whitmer say on several occasions that she was shown the plates of the book of mormon by a holy angel, whom she always called brother nephi. The historical narrative surrounding the book of mormon witnesses presents a. Testimonies of the book of mormon witnesses deseret book. I understand emma, martin harris, oliver cowdery all say the prophet did not. Did martin harris ever deny his book of mormon witness because he thought that joseph smith was a fallen prophet. Watch the feature film witnesses, and then the documentary, undaunted. 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. Why are there two sets of official book of mormon witnesses. A restoration witness, journal of mormon history 20, no.
Modern mormon spin doctors write all kinds of articles claiming that the witnesses may have denied the mormon church but they never the book of mormon. In this episode, i just want to give you some crashcourse. Book of mormon witnesses all later denied its truthfulness. Joseph fielding smith 20, 12738 chapter 9, teachings.
Witnesses of the book of mormon, teachings of presidents of the church. Who are the few who were permitted to see the plates. The book of mormon provided multiple official and unofficial witnesses who corroborated. President smith was also privi leged to handle a handwritten testimony of oliver cowdery, another of the three witnesses of the book of mormon. Witnesses of the book of mormon witnesses of the book of mormon. See also, book of mormon central, how important was oliver cowdery in bringing forth the book of mormon. 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. Harmon, made in about 1885, cited in vogel, emd, 2. Jan 26, 2017 eight witnesses to gold plates and their testimony is included in the book of mormon.
Jun 03, 2020 the book of mormon is now known to be an authentic, sophisticated hebrew document, complete with the hebrew chiasmus and the hebrew midrash, and which also contains the essential hebrew old testament second witness which completes the proof for of the divinity and authenticity of jesus the christ as the only begotten of the father, the. Witnesses of the book of mormon church of jesus christ. But what you may not have known is that there were several other people who saw or had really cool experiences with the plates. This page links to subpages which discuss various attacks in detail. Harris as an unwitting witness of book of mormons veracity and physicality. Witnesses of the book of mormon the church of jesus christ of. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses religious studies center. 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. Dec 31, 2015 some, unable or unwilling to take the witnesses to the book of mormon at their word, question their claims of seeing and hefting the golden plates, insisting instead that the witnesses saw only with spiritual eyes which means, effectively, in their imaginations. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Nov 30, 2017 see richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city, ut. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses kindle edition. Their statements have appeared in every edition of the book of mormon since 1830. Yet some people have questioned the reality of their exper.
Mar 30, 2021 among the eight witnesses, only two were younger than joseph smithhis brother samuel h. The names of oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris are familiar to most of us, notably because of their role as witnesses to the reality of the book of. Variety and complexity in the witnesses to the book of mormon. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director witnesses.
Together, these testimonies offer impressive support for the claims of joseph smith regarding the book of mormon and, thus, the restoration. Eight witnesses view the book of mormon plates by dale kilbourn. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. What did heavenly father promise he would do when the book of mormon came forth. Hiram page, whom married catherine whitmer in 1825. I have heard my grandmother mary musselman whitmer say on several occasions that she was shown the plates of the book of mormon by a holy angel, whom she always called brother nephi. David whitmer, one of the original three witnesses to the book of mormon became disenchanted with the way joseph smith was running internal affairs of the church, viz, polygamy. Witnesses of the book of mormon this section includes the testimonies of many individuals of the reality of the book of mormon and its influence on their lives, both those prominent in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints both historically and currently as well as others.
Are there any other witnesses to the book of mormon plates besides the three and eight witnesses. Their testimonies are found in the pages preceding each book of mormon. That way other people would think twice about leaving the mormon church or listening to any further testimony from these witnesses. The world was not left with joseph smiths testimony alone. When joseph smith first obtained the gold plates, he was told to show them to no one. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses religious studies. This paper examines the testimonies of the witnesses of the book of mormon not only the three witnesses and the eight witnesses, but many others who experienced and testified of the reality of the book of mormon plates. Why is david whitmers witness of the book of mormon so. Along with the prophecies recorded in the book of mormon, there are also firsthand witnesses of the resurrected savior. We have the testimony of the three witnesses and the testimony of the eight witnesses. Witness of the book of mormon archives teaching children. In the introductory pages of the book of mormon, there is a page that. In a way, through the distribution of the book of mormon in scores of languages around the globe, martin harris and the other official witnesses are bearing their testimonies to the whole world.
Nelson of the quorum of the twelve apostles taught that scriptural witnesses authenticate each other. The book of mormon as a witness of the old testament. May 27, 2011 beginning with the first edition of 1830, the book of mormon has generally contained two sets of testimoniesthe testimony of three witnesses and the testimony of eight witnesses. Did the book of mormon witnesses really see what they claimed. Five of her sons would become witnesses for the gold plates, along with her sonsinlaw. The entire book of mormon is a witness of the divinity of jesus christ.
People who watch the films and have more questions can go to the website to learn more about the three witnesses. Eastonflake and cope, a multiplicity of witnesses, 144. Analytical and contextual commentary of the book of mormon, takes a detailed, nearly versebyverse look at the book of mormon. Did the book of mormon witnesses really see what they. The teachings were etched on gold plates in an ancient reformed egyptian language and. Fawn brodie, who thought that the three witnesses all told different versions of their experience because she read this in the local press of the. 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 been accomplished. All of the living book of mormon witnesses, except oliver cowdery, later accepted. Joseph smiths history mentions that john whitmer, another of the eight witnesses, assisted much in scribing the book of mormon translation. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses kindle edition by anderson, richard lloyd. An irrefutable witness evidences powered by happy scribe in this evidence video i wanted to talk about, david whitmer, i personally feel like hes the most compelling of any of the witnesses in the restoration for multiple reasons. Other witnesses testified that sidney rigdon told them about the book of mormon aside from those that claimed that oliver cowdery admitted that the book of mormon originated with solomon spaldings unpublished manuscript, there are also witnesses that testified. Explain that heavenly father promised to allow witnesses to see the gold plates so that these witnesses could tell other people that the plates did exist. From changing their stories to denying their faith to getting excommunicated and much more, j.
Mary whitmer witness of the book of mormon home mary whitmer witness of the book of mormon mary musselman whitmer was born august 27, 1778. David whitmer said that god told him to leave the latter day saints summary. Four women can be added as additional witnesses of the book of mormon. 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. Artists depiction of moroni showing the plates to oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and joseph smith.
Three men attest to a sensory encounter with the gold plates and a divine being. The eight witnesses were the second of the two groups of special witnesses to the book of mormons golden plates. Jan 25, 2021 the creation of this site also coincides with the production of two films about the witnesses of the book of mormon. Variety and complexity in the witnesses to the book of. Emma hale smith bidamon emma hale smith bidamon was born on july 10, 1804, to isaac and elizabeth hale. Testimony of eight witnesses book of mormon central. Eight other witnesses saw and handled the golden plates, and also. Thus, we find every living book of mormon witnesses, except oliver cowdery, accepting strang as their prophet, at least for a time. Four women were witnesses to book of mormon translation. In harmony with the biblical law that in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established 2 corinthians. The witnesses to the book of mormon are blatantly not credible.
Explore the history of the three witnesses as well as other witnesses of the book of mormon here, and then leave your own witness of the book of mormon. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading investigating the book of mormon witnesses. As soon as i had gone away, the three others saw the angel and the plates. Emma smith statements as a witness witnesses of the book of. By 1847, harris had broken with strang and had accepted the leadership of fellow book of mormon witness, whitmer. Why didnt the book of mormon witnesses sign their testimony. Book of mormon witnesses the encyclopedia of mormonism. Book of mormonwitnessesother book of mormon witnesses. The three witnesses were oliver cowdery, martin harris, and david whitmer, whose joint testimony, in conjunction with a separate statement by eight witnesses, has been printed with every edition of the book of mormon since its first publication in 1830. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. And the book of mormon witnesses have got their testimonies out there. Whatever one may think of the book of mormon origins, the three witnesses along with the other eight witnesses and the prophet joseph smith himself could accurately be described as being stumbling blocks to the skeptic, critic, and unbeliever. The case against the 3 witnesses of the book of mormon.
Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book. The three special witnesses saw the angel moroni and the plates. By 1847, not a single one of the surviving eleven witnesses were affiliated with the mormon church. The testimonies of the three witnesses is the closest we come to rational evidence for latterday saint belief. The three others were the three witnesses oliver cowdery, david whitmer yet another son of peter and mary, and martin harris. Witnesses along with the prophecies recorded in the book of mormon, there are also firsthand witnesses of the resurrected savior. According to historical evidence, the mormon church\s customary portrayal of the witnesses as eleven men of rational and critical mindsets, unquestioned honesty and integrity and unwavering commitment to. It marshals the best of modern scholarship and new insights into a consistent picture of the book of mormon as a historical document created in and reflecting a particular place, time, and culture. The three witnesses oliver cowdery david whitmer martin harris the eight witnesses joseph smith sr. She attended school, and was well educated for a girl of that day. Critics have long tried to dismiss or destroy the witnesses witness.
Another witness of jesus christ on trial hardcover january 1, 2002 by j. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. At the time of david whitmers excommunication several other people and leaders of the church left with him. In the words of one lutheran minister who became convinced it was true, it is the most christloving book i have ever read. The 11 witnesses were all good, honorable men and regarded as upstanding members of the community. The book of mormon a witness with the bible in harmony with the biblical law that in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established 2 corinthians. All three witnesses eventually broke with smith and were excommunicated from the church. Want to start with a great quote out of this book, investigating the book of mormon witnesses. The earliest documented statement of the three witnesses oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harrisis their statement in the handwriting of oliver cowdery subsequently published in the 1830 edition of the book of mormon.
The testimony of eight witnesses was first published at the end of the 1830 edition of the book of mormon and has been printed in nearly every edition since, although most subsequent editions moved the statement to the front of the book and included minor grammatical corrections be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. The testimony of eight witnesses was first published at the end of the 1830 edition of the book of mormon and has been printed in nearly every edition since, although most subsequent editions moved the statement to the front of the book and included minor grammatical corrections. Following those words came one of the most powerful apostolic witnesses of the book of mormon. Some may not realize that, aside from viewing the plates, the three witnesses of the book of mormon beheld several other nephite artifacts, including the miraculous directors which were given to lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the red sea doctrine and covenants 17. There is not one word in it which would lead a person away from christ or into evil. It is one thing for a guy to claim visions, but it gains a lot more credibility when a dozen other men swear they the same thing and know it for a fact. Throughout their lives, none of the witnesses of the book of mormon ever denied their testimonies. The american scripture that launched a new world religion new york. Mary musselman whitmer witnesses of the book of mormon.
What did the unofficial witnesses of the book of mormon. Uncompromising witness of the book of mormon reveals the compelling story of a man who struggled to keep his faith in the prophetic calling of. The book of mormon is gods compelling witness of the divinity of jesus christ, the prophetic calling of joseph smith, and the absolute truth of this church. The evidence left by the book of mormon witnesses is rich, varied, and uneven, including the following. The book of mormon provided multiple official and unofficial witnesses who corroborated aspects of josephs account. President smith was also privileged to handle a handwritten testimony of oliver cowdery, another of the three witnesses of the book of mormon. Their straightforward and unambiguous claims cannot be easily dismissed or ignored. A journal of mormon scripture, another account of mary whitmers viewing of the golden plates. Aside from the lost 116 pages, was the book of mormon translated with the urim and thummim or strictly from peering into a hat and the words appearing from a seer stone. The book of mormon is not only the keystone of our religion, but it can also become the keystone of our testimonies so that when trials or unanswered questions confront us, it can hold. Uncompromising witness of the book of mormon reveals the compelling story of a man who struggled to keep his faith in the prophetic calling of joseph smith and the restoration of the gospel of jesus christ.
Nov 30, 2015 four women can be added as additional witnesses of the book of mormon. Read more the interpreter foundation is a nonprofit educational organization focused on the scriptures of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the book of mormon, the pearl of great price, the bible, and the doctrine and. How did emma smith help bring forth the book of mormon. Among the eight witnesses of the golden plates, the name hyrum page stands out as among the lesser known witnesses today, paige married katherine wittmer and lived near the wittmer farm when joseph and oliver were finishing the translation of the book of mormon. David whitmer, one of the book of mormon s three witnesses, said if you believe my testimony to the book of mormon. Witnesses of the book of mormon gold plates now you know. 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 been accomplished by the gift and power of god.
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