The book of mormon is an additional set of sacred prophetic writings adopted by the the church of jesus christ of latterday saints as well as it many offshoots, collectively referred to as the mormonism as both holy scripture and another witness of the divinity of jesus christ an important element to proving the divine authenticity of this scripture is the testimony of latterday witnesses. The world was not left with joseph smiths testimony alone. Book of mormon witnesses all later denied its truthfulness. It is contradictory to say the two fake quotes from antimormon, thirdhand sources, are the only real testimonies. This book will be convincing to those already certain that the gold plates actually existed and that the eleven witnesses saw them. The three witnesses is the collective name for three men connected with the early latter day. They also heard a voice from heaven, declaring the truth of the book of mormon s translation. Apr 05, 2020 the historical facts and the special witnesses of the book of mormon testify that its coming forth was indeed miraculous. 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.
The three witnesses said they beheld the angel moroni, who showed them the gold plates and other nephite artifacts. The overall secular case for the book of mormon is a cumulative one. Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book. The testimony of the eight witnesses gospel doctrine. The eight witnesses of the book of mormon lds blogs.
The whitmer family prior to the book of mormon a dan. Within the month, all of the male members of her family, except for her husband, would join her in witnessing the physical reality of the plates. Likely given that three of the eight witnesses were either excommunicated or left the church and as with the three witnesses, they never recanted their testimony as published in the book of mormon to explain the testimony of the witnesses, something that joseph smith fabricated a set of 10 or led plates they used to trick them with. A frequent claim is that a book of mormon witnesses said that he only handled the plates while they were covered in a tow frock. Three witnesses of the book of mormon department of. The author, richard lloyd anderson, gives many historical details about the statements of such critics and the sources and background of their statements. According to the letter, burnett and several other men publicly renounced the book of mormon. The three witnesses did not all see the plates or angel at the same time. They reaffirmed it over and over, in detail, to their dying breathes.
Four women were witnesses to book of mormon translation. Did the eleven witnesses actually see the gold plates. Jan 26, 2017 eight witnesses to gold plates and their testimony is included in the book of mormon. Believers in the book of mormon heard the witnesses declare that the plates were real and that the book of mormon was true. The video is the third in book of mormon centrals evidence video series, the two previous videos being one on the archaeological evidence for the place called nahom, mentioned by nephi 1 nephi 16. Smith taughtand most mormons believethat the existence of the book of mormon was prophesied by biblical scripture. That we, through the grace of god the father, and our lord jesus christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of nephi, and also of the lamanites, their.
The historical narrative surrounding the book of mormon witnesses presents a labyrinth of conflicting statements, many provided decades. The witnesses repeatedly reaffirmed what they said in their book of mormon testimony, in detail. In studying the history of joseph smith and the the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, referred to as the mormons, we emphasize joseph smiths own testimony of the book of mormon, that book of additional scripture that is another testament of jesus christ. The first edition of the book of mormon featured two testimonials. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses kindle edition. Some mormons will agree that all three witnesses denied the book of mormon. Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book of.
As the director of the church history library, where we hold the churchs official archival. The book of mormon stands as an additional, convincing witness that jesus christ is the savior of the world, manifesting himself unto all nations title page of the book of mormon and offering salvation to all who come unto him. To provide support towards the existence of the plates, smith included two statements in the book of mormon saying that the book of mormon witnesses had been shown the plates, and their testimony is typically published at the beginning of the book of mormon. Why does the book of mormon use the three witness testimony. By 1847, not a single one of the surviving eleven witnesses were affiliated with the mormon church. Beginning with the first edition of 1830, the book of mormon has generally contained two sets of testimonies the testimony of three witnesses and the testimony of eight witnesses. Jun 24, 2019 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 mormon. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading investigating the book of mormon witnesses. 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. They consistently stated throughout their lives the truth of their testimonies as printed in the book of mormon.
Mar 02, 2018 but, what never seems to go away for book of mormon critics are those pesky witnesses. They wrote what exactly what they experienced, they were very clear about their claims, and they never contradicted it. Each of these specific menoliver cowdery, martin harris, and david whitmersacrificed much to help with the translation and publication of the book of mormon, and its likely this is a significant part of why they were chosen as witnesses. Oct 18, 2018 however, we would be misguided if we were to conclude that the witnesses testimonies establish nothing of pivotal importance. The book of mormon teaches that god has flesh and bones and that he has a wife with whom they produce spirit offspring in heaven that will inhabit human bodies on earth. Shortly after, the three men were shown the plates by an angel of god. In the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established. Since its publication in 1830, the book of mormon has been accompanied by the testimony of three witnesses claiming to have seen the an angel with the plates and the testimony of eight witnesses. Perhaps one should not expect that a book about the witnesses to the book of mormon published by deseret book company would be anything other than an attempt to strengthen the readers faith in the book of mormon. May 24, 2019 shortly after, the three men were shown the plates by an angel of god. Who were the three witnesses of the book of mormon.
The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Apr 15, 2019 your claim that they all recanted a physical witness is false in its intent and is an example of a common misrepresentation often made by critics who, if they really are as knowledgeable about the issue as they claim, should know better. Oliver cowdery married to elizabeth ann whitmer and cousin to joseph smith, hiram page married to catherine whitmer, and the five whitmers were all related by marriage. Were those fake quotes handwritten from the witnesses. The historical facts and the special witnesses of the book of mormon testify that its coming forth was indeed miraculous. Did the book of mormon witnesses really see what they. The book of mormon provided multiple official and unofficial witnesses who corroborated aspects of josephs account. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. However, this report is from william smith, one of josephs brothers who was not a book of mormon witness. Edward stevenson, the thirteenth witness to the plates of the book of mormon, ms 55 1893. The three are part of twelve book of mormon witnesses, who also include smith and the eight witnesses. They could, however, witness his glory with spiritual eyes if they were changed or quickened by the spirit of god.
Book of mormon witnesses the encyclopedia of mormonism. It is not personal knowledge of a witness but filtered through someone else. Throughout their lives, none of the witnesses of the book of mormon ever denied their testimonies. For over forty years, i have been a student of joseph smiths life and teachings. 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. 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 mormon. Some mormons will agree that all three witnesses denied the book of mormon but came back to deny their denial. All of the book of mormon witnesses, except martin harris, were related by blood or marriage either to the smiths or whitmers. The three witnesses, unlike the eight witnesses, were shown the plates.
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. 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. No single piece of evidence demonstrates everything, by itself, that believers in the book of mormon affirm. 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. You try spraying, scrubbing, and still were left with so many persons whose testimonies of the physicality of the golden plates, angels, and other artifactsnever wavered. Their testimony that they saw the plates, and that this ancient record was translated by the gift and power of god appears at the beginning of the book of mormon. All three witnesses were eventually excommunicated from the mormon church. 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. David whitmer never returned to the church, but left an extensive record validating his testimony.
That we, through the grace of god the father, and our lord jesus christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of nephi, and also of the lamanites, their brethren, and also of. Two solemn declarations the testimony of three witnesses and the testimony of eight witnesses have been published with the book of mormon since 1830. The eight witnesses were the second of the two groups of special witnesses to the book of mormons golden plates. But, what never seems to go away for book of mormon critics are those pesky witnesses.
The eight witnesses were one of the two groups of witnesses who made statements stating that they had seen the golden plates which joseph smith jr. Like the three witnesses, the book of mormon prophecies that there will be others which will testify of this work, and there is none other which shall view it, save it be a few according to the will of god, to bear testimony of his word unto the children of men. Martin harris went on to say that the eight witnesses never actually saw the plates either, and therefore, were hesitant to sign the statement, but were persuaded to do so. In fact, william insisted in the same statement that he was convinced joseph was not lying about. President smith was also privileged to handle a handwritten testimony of oliver cowdery, another of the three witnesses of the book of mormon.
Brigham young said, some of the witnesses of the book of mormon, who handled the plates and conversed with the angels of god, were afterwards left to doubt and to disbelieve that they had ever seen an angel. Why didnt the book of mormon witnesses sign their testimony. 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. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. After they were done speaking, martin harris got up and said he was. Yes, it is true that the signatures on the extant manuscript page that we have for the testimony of the eight and three witnesses were done by oliver cowdery. An earlier group of witnesses who said they had seen the plates were called the three witnesses. Journal of discourses, vol 7, page 164, 1859, brigham young. The solemn testimony of the three witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon since 1830. The witnesses never denied or contradicted their book of mormon testimonies. Marsh, an excommunicated apostle, approached whitmer and cowdery to learn the real truth about the book of mormon since they, like him, were now excommunicated and hostile to it marsh reported. 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. The work of the translation was proceeding nicely in harmony, pennsylvania for quite a while. Mar, 2008 in studying the history of joseph smith and the the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, referred to as the mormons, we emphasize joseph smiths own testimony of the book of mormon, that book of additional scripture that is another testament of jesus christ.
Four women can be added as additional witnesses of the book of mormon. Beyond the testimony of the holy ghost, the witnesses represent the only evidence for the book of mormon provided by the lord himself. The witnesses of the book of mormon by preston nibley. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates. 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. The testimonies of the three and eight witnesses were published in the first edition of the book of mormon and every edition since. However, we would be misguided if we were to conclude that the witnesses testimonies establish nothing of pivotal importance. Many people that wholeheartedly believe the book of mormon witnesses do so because they have a hard time thinking that these people would either lie or could have been deceived. Today, i will be grateful that god sends witnesses to help us recognize the truth. While none of these men ever retracted their statement, critics nevertheless discount. In the first, oliver cowdery, david whitmer and martin harris affirm that theyve seen the plates from which the book of mormon.
President ezra taft benson, president of the council of the twelve. The prophet nephi foresaw that the gold plates of the book of mormon would be hid from the eyes of the world and that the eyes of none shall behold it save it be that three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of god and none other shall view it, save it be a few according to the will of god. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses book of mormon central. The hearsay accounts show that ones faith in the book of mormon witnesses or lack thereof is based not simply on hearing the witnesses testimonies but on how one chooses to receive and understand their testimonies. Gunnell goes on to quote a letter written in 1844 by phineas young to brigham young, martin harris is a firm believer in shakerism, says his testimony is greater than it was of the book of mormon martin harris witness and benefactor to the book of mormon, wayne c. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses kindle edition by anderson, richard lloyd. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses religious studies center. Nevertheless, the power of this book is not based only in its magnificent history but on its powerful, unparalleled message that has changed countless lives including mine. We also talk about the testimony of the three witnesses. Why are there two sets of official book of mormon witnesses. In the introductory pages of the book of mormon, there is a page that contains the testimony of three witnesses and the testimony of eight witnesses.
When joseph smith first obtained the gold plates, he was told to show them to no one. The book of mormon contains two sets of joint statements written by joseph smith for those who claimed to have seen the gold plates. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Accounts by these individuals are recorded in the introduction of the book of mormon as the testimony of the three witnesses and the testimony of the eight witnesses. These statements were heard, written, and sometimes published by persons with. 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. They had full confidence that, as a prophet, joseph smith was in touch with god and powerfully brought those hearing him closer to christ. All three witnesses eventually broke with smith and were excommunicated from the church. It is obvious from the historical record that early latterday saints believed that all american indians were the descendants of book of mormon peoples. The combined testimonies of the three and eight witnesses of the book of mormon provide powerful evidence of the restoration. Theyre distinctly different both in their tone and in what they describe.
Witnesses film an interpreter foundation production. The historical narrative surrounding the book of mormon witnesses presents a labyrinth of conflicting statements, many provided decades after the fact by those not present during the events. In addition, this second witness also clarifies what salvation means. Candidly examining all substantial arguments, pro and con, this project will argue powerfully for their credibility.