Read the story from gold plates to the book of mormon having your child help trace the path. 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. And not one of the witnesses ever retracted or denied their testimony, including the men who later left mormonism. To view images from the book of mormon videos series, click here. Book of mormon the testimony of three witnesses awitness4jesuschrist michael corbett. Explaining away the book of mormon witnesses fairmormon. We can compare the witnesses for the book of mormon to the witnesses of manuscript found. Enhancing book of mormon themes through contrasts the book of mormon. Here are some critics thoughts on that thanks to gary porter and craig criddle for these.
Richard anderson investigating the book of mormon witnesses, 1981 admits the third handnature of this account, but still uses it as evidence, attributing its most accurate telling to george q. Faith unto salvation light or dark, freedom or bondage. Candidly examining all substantial arguments, pro and con, this project will argue powerfully for their credibility. The book of mormon prophesies that god would call special witnesses to testify to its truth. Smith lorenzo snow lucy mack smith mary whitmer oscar mcconkie william smith richard lloyd anderson analyzes the witnesses to 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. Katharine smith sometimes spelled katherine was born july 28, 1812 in lebanon, new hampshire. We talk at length about our assumptions that the three witnesses has a spiritual event, that the eight witnesses had a physical event, whether their experience was consistent, and how the institutional church may have. 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. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses book of mormon. One of the eight witnesses to the book of mormon was the fifth son of peter whitmer, sen.
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. 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. A comparison of the first edition of the book of mormon with current editions reveals to many mormons a surprising fact that the book said to be translated. Why are there two sets of official book of mormon witnesses. Mormons follow the teachings of joseph smith, brigham young and the book of mormon in addition to the king james bible. The statement of the 3 witnesses for the book of mormon was a single statement signed by all three men. 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. The author, richard lloyd anderson, gives many historical details about the statements of such critics and the sources and background of their statements. Book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation. An important element to proving the divine authenticity of this scripture is the testimony of latterday witnesses.
A video supplement for come, follow me book of mormon lesson 9. In this video, i discuss how relying on the published testimony of eight witnesses has led many to incorrectly assume the experience of the eight men was completely natural and physical. David whitmer, one of the book of mormon s three witnesses, said if you believe my testimony to the book of mormon. The solemn testimony of the three witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon since 1830. 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. Get immediate online access to the full course video lessons, witnessing documentation manual download, and optional quizzes.
No single piece of evidence demonstrates everything, by itself, that believers in the book of mormon affirm. David whitmer, one of the book of mormons three witnesses, said if you believe my testimony to the book of mormon. Richard lloyd anderson presents evidence from original sources on each of the eleven witnesses and concludes. What is the difference between jehovahs witnesses and. 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. Because the groups have always been separate, they have many differences. Watch the video how we got the book of mormon created from the book of mormon scripture reader. 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. Book of mormon the testimony of three witnesses youtube. The case against the 3 witnesses of the book of mormon duration. The earliest documented statement of the three witnessesoliver 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. This latest book that i mentioned that is doing a subjective job of reducing the book of mormon to joseph smiths personal experience, and so hes translating the book of mormon, that book says well, the eight witnesses, while this is hearsay, nevertheless. The three witnesses sacrificed much to help with the translation and publication of the book of mormon.
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. When i was a member of the church i honestly never thought about checking up on the witnesses of the book of mormon. He gave joseph like first witness, but one according to the scriptures is not enough so god provided three new witnesses. 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. 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. 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 second video is now available oct 2014 that focuses on the eight witnesses. Katharine smith witnesses of the golden plates and book of. 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. Dec 05, 2009 book of mormon the testimony of three witnesses awitness4jesuschrist michael corbett. Holland testify of the book of mormon in a short video at go43e. Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book of. That being said we can and do worship jesus christ. Apr 26, 2010 the book of mormon has 12 official witnesses. This is in many respects parallel to something he has done earlier in which. This video also depicts how the three men remained true to their testimonies.
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. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. The evidence left by the book of mormon witnesses is rich, varied, and uneven, including the following. 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. The eight witnesses of the book of mormon lds blogs. The first edition of the book of mormon featured two testimonials. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses deseret book. Joseph smith, the three witnesses, and the eight witnesses are a twelveman jury in affirming the reality of the gold plates and the book of mormon.
It uses biblical quotes to disprove the book of mormon and the nwt of the jws bible. Haight emma smith harrison burgess john henry smith joseph f. For instance, there is apparent confusion over the identity of the. Together, the testimony of both the three and the eight witnesses are difficult to explain away. Jun 20, 2019 the book of mormon prophesies that god would call special witnesses to testify to its truth.
During the printing of the first edition of the book of mormon, harris was in the print shop while the type was being set for the testimony of the three witnesses. Text adapted from the testimony of the three witnesses. Restoration of the priesthood and witnesses of the book of mormon. She was 15yearsold when joseph received the golden plates. Jan 27, 2017 the solemn testimony of the three witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon since 1830. 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. Here is some great training to prepare you to witness to mormons using the book of mormon. Mar 22, 2017 by june 1829 martin harris, oliver cowdery, and david whitmer had verbalized a desire to be the special three witnesses alluded to in the book of mormon. All opinions, speakers and presenters represent and express their own individual opinions, and not necessarily the opinions of firm foundation, book of mormon evidence, or its employees, and no information or opinions represent the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Smith lorenzo snow lucy mack smith mary whitmer oscar mcconkie william smith richard lloyd anderson analyzes the witnesses to. Articles of faith book of mormon videos images children and youth christmas church leaders come, follow. It is very interesting how the lord decided to have those special witnesses of his work of the last days. Harper, the eleven witnesses, in the coming forth of the book of mormon. These divinely appointed witnesses help the book of mormon fulfill one of its primary purposesto convince the world that jesus is the christ, the eternal god.
This latest book that i mentioned that is doing a subjective job of reducing the book of mormon to joseph smiths personal experience, and so hes translating the book of mormon, that book says well, the eight witnesses, while this is hearsay, nevertheless martin harris knew the eight witnesses, knew them well. Our heavenly father uses multiple witnesses to testify of truth see 2 corinthians. The overall secular case for the book of mormon is a cumulative one. Which is basically like using a spiderman comic book to prove that batman is. Formal witneses the three witnesses the eleven witnesses informal witnesses david b. From changing their stories to denying their faith to getting excommunicated and much more, join me in this. Bofm witnesses presentation provides a spiritual and temporal witness of the realities 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 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. 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. Eight witnesses to gold plates and their testimony is included in the book of mormon.
While this was a late recollection on cannons part, anderson justifies using it by stating that cannon had a remarkable intellect and a. 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. I have drawn closer to jesus because ive tried to taught the book of mormon, ive read a lot of other great books that have great things that made my life better and beautiful, but the book of mormon. The three witnesses, unlike the eight witnesses, were shown the plates by a heavenly messenger, not joseph smith. 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 only thing this book continuously stressed is that jesus is god, the holy spirit is god, and the trinity is one being.
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. This segment depicts the coming forth of the book of mormon and the testimony to its. In this carefully researched, thoughtprovoking book, dr. A marvelous work and a wonder 2 nephi 2630 transcript in 2 nephi 27, nephi describes the witnesses who will testify of the book of mormon. The book of mormon contains two sets of joint statements written by joseph smith for those who claimed to have seen the gold plates. Which is basically like using a spiderman comic book to prove that batman is wrong. A great answer to the great question january 612 1 nephi 17 i will go and do lehi and nephi. An earlier group of witnesses who said they had seen the plates were called the three witnesses.
Hedges, john hilton iii, and kerry hull salt lake city and provo, ut. Alma 36 mosiah 1118 mosiah 15 enos 1 jacob 7 jacob 23 2 nephi 33 2 nephi 32 2 nephi 610 2 nephi 5 2 nephi 14. Jehovahs witnesses follow the new world translation of the bible. I grew up believing that i belonged to the only true church on the face of the earth and even though there were teachings about the church i didnt agree with, it never occurred to me they didnt have physical proof for the book of mormon. The video a day for the eternities depicts david whitmers account of joseph and oliver. However, we would be misguided if we were to conclude that the witnesses testimonies establish nothing of pivotal importance. Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available.
Katharine smith salisbury younger a witness of the book of mormon. Statements clearly traced to the witnesses verify the testimonies printed in the book of mormon. 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 witnesses of the book of mormon lds scripture teachings. The application of the law of witnesses in 2 nephi 27 and 28. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses book of mormon central. The witnesses of the book of mormon the millennial star. Witnesses of the book of mormon church of jesus christ. The printer, john gilbert, asked him if he had seen the plates with his naked eye. Witnesses film an interpreter foundation production. May 06, 2019 we should and do worship god the father and pray to him in the name of jesus christ. Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 2 mormons in.
We should and do worship god the father and pray to him in the name of jesus christ. Basic beliefs bible videos book of mormon videos broadcasts and live. The three witnesses, unlike the eight witnesses, were shown the plates by. The case against the 3 witnesses of the book of mormon. Published on oct 8, 2019 the witnesses to the book of mormon are blatantly not credible. Today chris and clay join me again for a roundtable discussion about the eleven witnesses to the book of mormon. My witness is that its the most literally beautiful doctrinally truthful and everlasting applicable book ever produced in the world. Oct 18, 2018 however, we would be misguided if we were to conclude that the witnesses testimonies establish nothing of pivotal importance. By june 1829 martin harris, oliver cowdery, and david whitmer had verbalized a desire to be the special three witnesses alluded to in the book of mormon. Oaks shares the significance of more than one witness to the book of mormon. A primer for priesthood leadership types and shadows of deliverance in the book of.
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