We can compare the witnesses for the book of mormon to the witnesses of manuscript found. The three men chosen as witnesses of the book of mormon were oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris. Amazingly, except for a few pages, the translation of the entire book of mormon as we have it todaya text which ended up as more than 500 pages in lengthtook place between april 7 and june 30, 1829. Deseret book and religious studies center, brigham young university, 2015, 1172. Cowderys elevated status as second elder and witness to the book of mormon was eventually lost amid accusations of adultery and theft. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading investigating the book of mormon witnesses.
Richard lloyd anderson presents evidence from original sources on each of the eleven witnesses and concludes. Testimony of the book of mormon the church of jesus christ of. Witnesses, produced by the interpreter foundation, consists of three main segments working together as a comprehensive project. Book of mormonwitnessesother book of mormon witnesses. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses deseret book. The book of mormonkeystone of our religion by ezra taft benson. Motives the testimony of the book of mormon witnesses has been a thorn in the side of the critics for more than a century and a half. Final testimonies of latterday prophets and apostles 2015 version duration. There are many reasons why the book of mormon is important in our day for example, see 2 nephi 29.
The only thing this book continuously stressed is that jesus is god, the holy spirit is god, and the trinity is one being. Introductory pages of the book of mormon melanies library. One of the eight witnesses to the book of mormon was the fifth son of peter whitmer, sen. When modern latterday saints think of the witnesses to the book of mormon, its likely that the men whose. The first episode in the book of mormon videos series of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints is now available. Harmon, made in about 1885, cited in vogel, emd, 2. The problematic testimonies of the book of mormon witnesses affected early later day saints as well. Who were the three witnesses of the book of mormon. Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 2 mormons in. Witnesses of the book of mormon church of jesus christ.
Some people may ask you why we need the book of mormon when we already have the bible. Each will reconnect us with the history, the claims and counterclaims, and ultimately the stalwart consistency of each witness testimony. The forgotten witness of the book of mormon who refused to deny his faith even under threat of death. May 16, 2014 discussions on the doctrine and covenants witnesses of the book of mormon originally aired. 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. However, there were many other indirect witnesses of the book of mormon.
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. The whitmer family prior to the book of mormon b dan. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, joseph smith stated, and the keystone of our religion. The testimony of the 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. 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. Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available. He was excommunicated from the church in 1838 and forced to leave the area.
Oct 03, 2019 i do not believe we can be good latterday saints and question the testimony of the eleven witnesses of the book of mormon. Book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation. Stand as witnesses book of mormon video guide 2002, 1415 video lesson 11, book of mormon video guide, 1415 11. Cowdery then wrote out two manuscripts of the book completely by hand. Harper, the eleven witnesses, in the coming forth of the book of mormon. Witnessing to mormons some first principles christian. Did the book of mormon witnesses really see what they. The american scripture that launched a new world religion new york. Click here to visit our frequently asked questions about html5 video.
In this carefully researched, thoughtprovoking book, dr. Soon after josephs arrival at fayette from pennsylvania the summer of 1829, peter became a zealous friend of the prophet and an able assistant in the translation of. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses kindle edition by anderson, richard lloyd. To read more from larry, visit lds365 the church video compelling witness depicts a mock trial that witnesses of the truthfulness of the book of mormon. The testimony of the three witnesses is consistent, impressive, and reliable. In fact, jesus christ testified that this would happen see 2 nephi 29. A modernday apostle describes the unwavering faith the churchs founders showed, even in the face of death, to remain true to their testimonies of the book of. The collective testimony of the book of mormon witnesses is, in terms of its evidentiary value and strength, far more challenging to critics than is the testimony of james j. The community of christ, formerly known as the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints, views the book of mormon as an additional witness of jesus christ and publishes two versions of the book through its official publishing arm, herald house. First episode in book of mormon videos series now available. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Members of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints, for example, believe that the book of mormon was written on gold plates by a prophet named mormon. Bofm witnesses presentation provides a spiritual and temporal witness of the realities of the book of mormon.
Hedges, john hilton iii, and kerry hull salt lake city and provo, ut. A teaching topic for each chapter in this weeks come, follow me reading, mosiah 1824 lindsey williams as we dive into mosiah 1824 in this weeks come, follow me, here is a topic from each chapter that you can explore in your lesson. Our heavenly father uses multiple witnesses to testify of truth see 2 corinthians. What, if anything, does the testimony of the witnesses to. A modernday apostle describes the unwavering faith churchs founders showed, even in the face of death, to remain true to their testimonies. 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. Part of the vhs collection called a voice from the dust, this production of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is from 1982. The three are part of twelve 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. How can sally conrads witness of the book of mormon. These incidental witnesses may have seen part of the plates, like josiah stowell did. Book of mormonwitnessesstrangite parallels fairmormon. He gave joseph like first witness, but one according to the scriptures is not enough so god provided three new witnesses.
He sat near smith day by day, working as smiths scribe as smith translated the book of mormon. He stood by his testimony of the book of mormon until the day he died, and i will. Aug 25, 2019 this video defends the book of mormon witnesses and shows how the lord set up multiple crosschecks and backup evidences to make it very challenging for critics to dismiss the weight of their. It has troubled some readers that the book of mormon, this most correct of books, lifts at least 27,000 words directly from the bible version that is purportedly full. Witness to the book of mormon 18 may 2018 lds daily. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. Book of mormon witnesses all later denied its truthfulness. Others may have handled the plates, like emma smith did. Video the book of mormon an introduction to the book of mormon by president ezra taft benson. 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. This witness alone will be a sustaining anchor in every storm. Witness of the bible and book of mormon latter day light.
With a single draft completed in 65 days, joseph smith, an unschooled man of 23, produced a book of over 500 pages with hundreds of unique names and complex story lines. David whitmer, one of the book of mormon s three witnesses, said if you believe my testimony to the book of mormon. Which is basically like using a spiderman comic book to prove that batman is wrong. Why did the book of mormon come forth as a miracle. Oct 18, 2018 however, we would be misguided if we were to conclude that the witnesses testimonies establish nothing of pivotal importance.
It is very interesting how the lord decided to have those special witnesses of his work of the last days. Our faces may not have a celestial glow when we read the book of mormon, but people will still be able to see in our countenances that we read the book of mormon and live what it teaches. Two special witnesses of christ testify of the book of. The coming forth of the book of mormon, foretold by ancient prophets, began with an angelic visitation in 1823 to 17yearold joseph smith. Joseph smith could neither write nor dictate a coherent and wellworded letter. The witness statements enhance the plausibility of joseph smith and the book he dictated. The book of mormon relies not only on the record of an ancient people, but also on the separate testimonies of three and eight witnesses published in the back of the book s original 1830 edition and in the front of its more recent editions. Jan 15, 2020 the church video compelling witness depicts a mock trial that witnesses of the truthfulness of the book of mormon. And, though i was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, and was present during the translation of the plates, and had cognizance of things as they transpired, it is marvelous to me, a marvel and.
Generally, when we think of witnesses of the book of mormon, we think of the three witnesses or the eight witnesses. Videos covering the first 8 pages of the book of mormon 1 nephi to enos will continue to be released every friday between now and the end of 2019. It has led to the awful situation among the latterday saints today, one described two times in the book of mormon mosiah 2. Martin harris, one of the three witnesses of the book of mormon, bears testimony of the book while on his deathbed.
Seven years later, in 1830, this scriptural canon of the latterday saints was published for the world. We actually just chatted about it this morning as we began our bom studies, and watched this short little video. The statement of the 3 witnesses for the book of mormon was a single statement signed by all three men. An important episode associated with the translation and coming forth of the book of mormon was the experience of two sets of witnesses eleven totalwho, among other things, claimed to have actually seen the gold plates, which were delivered by the angel moroni to joseph smith. Jul 11, 2011 for reasons that are not completely clear, smith and cowderys relationship soured.
Martin harris, later one of the three witnesses of the book of mormon, is born in easttown, new york. And eyewitness testimony to the existence of angels and of god himself is scarcely of trivial importance. And then you can add your witness of the book of mormon each time you. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. A recently discovered circa 1871 manuscript written by william mclellin, an early mormon apostle and, later, apostate, includes a passage that narrates how, in 1833, he engaged two of the three and one of the eight witnesses of the book of mormon about the nature of their experiences as witnesses. This right can be revoked at any time and for any reason. Dec 30, 2019 article 55 truths in the book of mormon video for our day latterday saint youth from around the world describe the influence and guidance the book of mormon provides in their lives. The church knocks it out of the park with latest video about the.
Those who have attempted to tackle the issue generally have relied. Suggest that the students watch for illustrations of the book of mormons influence in our day. Apr 26, 2010 the book of mormon has 12 official witnesses. Oxford university press, 2003, 4142, emphasis added. Text adapted from the testimony of the three witnesses.
The overall secular case for the book of mormon is a cumulative one. David whitmer, an address to all believers in christ by a witness to the divine authenticity of the book of mormon. 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 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. Holland testify of the book of mormon in a short video at go43e. Renlund, notice the locations and imagery included in the videos and ponder how they affected your thoughts and. Testimony of the book of mormon latterday saints channel. 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.
At the beginning of the book of mormon, we have the testimony of joseph smith, the testimony of three witnesses, and the testimony of eight witnesses. This segment depicts the coming forth of the book of mormon and the. The book of mormon videos youtube channel is a collection of videos based on accounts from the book of mormon. Together, the testimony of both the three and the eight witnesses are difficult to explain away.
The eight witnesses of the book of mormon lds blogs. This video also depicts how the three men remained true to their testimonies. Witnesses film an interpreter foundation production. 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. I do not believe you have a testimony of the truth if you question the accuracy of the translation of the book of mormon. It uses biblical quotes to disprove the book of mormon and the nwt of the jws bible. In 1838, nearly eight years after joining the mormon church, after serving several missions for the church, after being ordained to progressively higher offices in the church, stephen burnett explained his decision to separate from the latter. Our heavenly father uses multiple witnesses to testify of truth see 2. No single piece of evidence demonstrates everything, by itself, that believers in the book of mormon affirm. Faithpromoting material about the book of mormon witnesses like cowdery claims they enjoyed.
Jan 27, 2017 the solemn testimony of the three witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon since 1830. The march 30april 12, 2020 come, follow mefor individuals and families suggests watching the video series special witnesses of christ discussing what they teach us about what the savior has done for us. To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here. Martin harris may 18, 1783 july 10, 1875 was an early convert to the latter day saint movement who financially guaranteed the first printing of the book of mormon and also served as one of three witnesses who testified that they had seen the golden plates from which joseph smith said the book of mormon had been translated. This video explores the history behind the witnesses to the book of mormon and explains why their combined testimony strongly indicates that joseph smith did in fact possess plates which he translated by the gift and power of god. Statements clearly traced to the witnesses verify the testimonies printed in the book of mormon. From almost every page of the book, there will come to them a moving testimony that jesus is indeed the christ, the son of the living god, our redeemer and savior. The first edition of the book of mormon featured two testimonials. 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 the people of jared, who came from the tower of. Why didnt any of the original witnesses to the book of. Understanding the baptismal covenant book of mormon video chapter 19. The author, richard lloyd anderson, gives many historical details about the statements of such critics and the sources and background of their statements. A modernday apostle describes the unwavering faith the churchs founders showed, even in the face of death, to remain true to their testimonies of the book of mormon.
We also talk about the testimony of the three witnesses. Some mormons will agree that all three witnesses denied the book of mormon but came back to deny their denial. The three witnesses were a group of three early leaders of the latter day saint movement who wrote in a statement of 1829 that an angel had shown them the golden plates from which joseph smith translated the book of mormon and that they had heard gods voice testifying that the book had been translated by the power of god the three witnesses were oliver cowdery, martin harris, and david. Among other events, martin harris joins david and oliver as the three become the chosen witnesses of the divinity of the book of mormon and. Here are some critics thoughts on that thanks to gary porter and craig criddle for these. The evidence left by the book of mormon witnesses is rich, varied, and uneven, including the following. This video defends the book of mormon witnesses and shows how the lord set up multiple crosschecks and backup evidences to make it very challenging for critics to dismiss the weight of their. Witness to the book of mormon 9 july 2018 lds daily. May 18, 2008 but behold, jesus christ hath shown you unto me, and i know your doing.
749 1099 1652 1675 862 1128 659 777 823 452 1554 614 1641 1207 1274 46 220 1141 1182 492 593 114 203 276 1480 1446 267 492