As the bible is a scriptural account of gods dealings with his children in the old world, so also is the book of mormon a scriptural account of god s dealings. He left mormonism while on his mission for the mormon church i was born and raised in the lds church. The book of mormon provided multiple official and unofficial witnesses who corroborated aspects of josephs account. Though rick has left the mormon church, he is still not sure what the truth is. 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. 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. In fact, joseph smith gave a revelation in july of 1828 in which martin harris, one of the three witnesses, was called a wicked man, who has set at naught the counsels of god, and has broken the most sacred promises doctrine and covenants 3. All of the three witnesses and three of the eight witnesses left the church in 1838 and were hostile, at least for a time, against joseph smith.
The statement of the 3 witnesses for the book of mormon was a single statement signed by all three men. 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. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses book of mormon central. The signatures of the eight witnesses to the book of mormon. The names signed there include the names of almost every man over twenty connected with the giving to the world of that mysterious book. My wife and i were members of the mormon church for 22 years. 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 are some critics thoughts on that thanks to gary porter and craig criddle for these. Links and documentation on important facts for those investigating or considering joining the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the mormons joseph smith, polygamy, manipulation, changes to first vision story, translation deception, and lying for the lord. Testimony of the eight witnesses to the book of mormon. Additional information on the individual witnesses and their statements are available in the maxwell institutes digital collection. Book of mormon witnesses all later denied its truthfulness. For example, critics of mormonism have shown convincing proof that the book of mormon is a synthesis of earlier works written by other men, of the vivid imaginings of joseph smith, and of plagiarisms from the king james bible.
John whitmer witnesses of the golden plates and 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. Through their actions we are left with the sure knowledge that the plates from which the book of mormon was translated do in reality exist, and that the book translated from those plates, is. Witnesses of the book of mormon the church of jesus christ of. I came to know christ and his church through the reading of the book of mormon. Dale kilbourn 1984, illustrates joseph smith allowing the eight witnesses to touch the gold plates from which the book of mormon was translated. Lds church leaders and student manuals note that none of the witnesses ever denied his testimony as it was printed in the book of mormon nor.
David whitmer, one of the book of mormons three witnesses, said if you believe my testimony to the book of mormon. It also contains biographical and historical information relating to the book of mormon. Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 1 mormons in. John first met joseph smith in june 1829 when david whitmer brought joseph, emma, and oliver cowdery to the whitmer homestead in fayette, new york to complete the translation of the book of mormon. The evidence left by the book of mormon witnesses is rich, varied, and uneven, including the following. As a missionary, we have the opportunity to share the book of mormon daily. That we, through the grace of god the father, and our lord jesus christ, have seen the plates which contain this. But though their testimonies are still printed at the beginning of every copy of the book of mormon, all three of these men left the church at some pointonly two returned. They all tell similar stories of joseph dropping a magical seer stone into his hat, then burying his face in the hat in. But now i feel free from the guilt of never being good enough, and even the guilt of being superior. Jul 04, 2010 yet not one recanted their claims as witnesses to the coming forth of the book of mormon. Many instances of many more credible witnesses to improbable events e. 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. While joseph was still translating the book of mormon.
Three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of god, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered. It says the witnesses saw the plates, and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of god. The sharing of testimony is confirmed in our hearts as the spirit bears witness of truth. Joseph smith, the book of mormon, the book of abraham, the book of doctrine and covenants, the book of commandments, and all the other fraudulent works of mormonism and embrace christ and the gospel as presented in the word of god. The three witnesses, unlike the eight witnesses, were shown the plates by a heavenly messenger, not joseph smith. A response to jerald and sandra tanner, journal of book of mormon studies 22 1993. The eight witnesses were the second of two sets of special witnesses to the book of mormons golden plates. All of the book of mormon witnesses, with the exception of martin harris who was one of the smiths neighbors, were related by blood.
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. The three and eight witnesses to the book of mormon. It is inconclusive if the witnesses actually saw plates or if they only claimed to see them. The world was not left with joseph smiths testimony alone. May 30, 2008 the book of mormon witnesses historical evidence has led many people to question the authenticity of the book of mormon and the credibility of joseph smiths story. The evidence left by the book of mormon witnesses is rich, varied, and uneven. 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 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. This is the changing mind of the god of mormonism or of joseph smith doctrine and covenants 5. The witnesses were men known for truthfulness and sobriety. After being a witness to the reality of the gold plates, david whitmer left the church and. Yet not one recanted their claims as witnesses to the coming forth of the book of mormon. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses deseret book. Though each of the three witnesses was eventually excommunicated from the church two returned, none ever denied or retracted his published testimony.
Why did some of the witnesses of the book of mormon leave. The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. Cited in matthew roper, comments on the book of mormon witnesses. Book of mormonwitnesseseye of faith and spiritual eye. During those years i held numerous positions or callings from god as the church refers to them. Additional book of mormon witnesses posted by ben on sep, 2012 in book of mormon witnesses 0 comments. Apologists note that after being excommunicated, harris and cowdery later returned to the church. I think there is truth and good people in all faiths. The following is their testimony that can be found in the first pages of the book of mormon. In another revelation given sometime later, god was supposed to have told joseph smith that harris is a wicked man, for he has. Witnesses of the book of mormon the church of jesus. One of the quorum of the twelve a young man full of faith and good works, prayed and the vision of his mind was opened, and the angel of god came and laid.
As with the three witnesses, the fact that several left mormonism is not so much a comment on mormonism as it is a comment on humanity and peoples power of choice. These witnesses include all three of the three witnesses of the book of mormon the same individuals whose testimony appears in the front of every copy of the book of mormon, as well as joseph smiths wife, emma hale smith. Oliver cowdery top, david whitmer left, and martin harris right. 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. 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. Became the first missionary of the mormon church, remained faithful, and died in 1844. Jan 11, 2012 links and documentation on important facts for those investigating or considering joining the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the mormons joseph smith, polygamy, manipulation, changes to first vision story, translation deception, and lying for the lord. One of the eight witnesses to the book of mormon was the fifth son of peter whitmer, sen. All three special witnesses became estranged and left the church.
The witnesses were men known for truthfulness and sobriety almost two hundred years after the fact, the book of mormon witnesses still play a vital part of mormonism. The book of mormon witnesses are a group of contemporaries of joseph smith who claimed to. I had a very strong testimony, which i shared often. Among those were sunday school president, young mens president, elders quorum president, executive secretary, ward clerk, and second counselor. Through their actions we are left with the sure knowledge that the plates from which the book of mormon was translated do in reality exist, and that the book translated from those plates, is indeed the word of god. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses religious studies center.
The three are part of twelve book of mormon witnesses, who also include smith and the. It also said that three would be shown the plates by the power of god. The eight witnesses were the second of two sets of special witnesses to the book of mormon s golden plates. Johns testimony is recorded in the front of the book of mormon. When joseph smith first obtained the gold plates, he was told to show them to no one. Questions about the witnesses to the reality of the. Book of mormon witnesses encyclopedia of mormonism, p. He left the church in 1838, but continued to affirm his witness of the book of mormon. The king james quotations in the book of mormon, the history of the text of the book of mormon. Published in every edition of the book of mormon are the testimonies of eight witnesses who saw the metal plates from which the prophet joseph smith translated the ancient scriptural account and of three witnesses who not only saw the plates but who were shown them by an angel. Witnesses of the book of mormon church of jesus christ. The three men chosen as witnesses of the book of mormon were oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris.
Ufos, bigfoot, virgin mary apparitions, entire congregations testifying they witnessed angels in nonlds churches, etc. The second video is now available oct 2014 that focuses on the eight witnesses. The first edition of the book of mormon featured two testimonials. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses book of mormon. Bofm witnesses presentation provides a spiritual and temporal witness of the realities of the book of mormon. Close relationship between bom witnesses and joseph smith. Leaving the church, part 9 book of mormon witnesses by. Yet, they clung to their witness and continued to affirm it three witnesses oliver cowdery. Anderson eleven men signed two formal statements, the first recording that a brilliant angel displayed the nephite plates to three men, followed by the verifying voice of god, and the second telling how eight men lifted and examined the ancient record leaf by leaf. Considering joining the church of jesus christ of latter. Testimonies of the book of mormon witnesses deseret book. The book of mormon contains two sets of joint statements written by joseph smith for those who claimed to have seen the gold plates.
Start studying book of mormon brad wilcox midterm 1byu. I was a pretty typical good mormon kid very active in the ward and in the young peoples organizations. Book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation. The story of the church the book of mormon witnesses. 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. The evidence left by the book of mormon witnesses is rich, varied, and. The first set are the three witnesses the book of ether in the book of mormon states that the plates would be shown to certain individuals who shall assist to bring forth this work. 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. John whitmer witnesses of the golden plates and book of. The author, richard lloyd anderson, gives many historical details about the statements of such critics and the sources and background of their statements. Richard lloyd anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited.
He left mormonism while on his mission for the mormon church. Identifying forged annotations in a book of mormon. Basically, because he got uppity with joseph smith following the kirtland antibanking safety society scandal of 1837, in which smith and the other leaders of the kass lost all the savings of many kirtland saints with their undercapitalized nonba. Their testimonies and lives give us an inside view at how the book of mormon came to be and how joseph smith took advantage of those around him, perpetuating the lies. Leaving the church, part 9 book of mormon witnesses by eric. Besides joseph smith, there were other witnesses who saw the angel and the plates and whose written testimony you will find printed in the front of each copy of the book of mormon. Also cited in richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city. Jul 08, 2011 this is a photomechanical reprint of the first edition 1830 of the book of mormon. Also see the vast body of scholarship in past and current publications at the maxwell institute. The three witnesses of the book of mormon were oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris. Whitmer founded his own church of christ whitmerite. Where i received my school assignment as a youth to write a report on. Most witnesses left the church, were very gullible and believed in magic, followed false prophet james strang with little evidence.
As a 7thgeneration mormon who left the church in 2009, former 30year utah resident and church leader, ronald karren, started by researching his church both its history and doctrine. He left the church in 1838, and stayed in missouri until his death. Those who would defend traditional beliefs about mormon origins often turn to the testimonies of 11 men. The three witnesses remained faithful to their testimonies of the book of mormon.
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. 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 studying his history, it was evident that the dysfunction reached back at least five generations. Personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses richard l. The testimonies of those witnesses of the book of mormon in this book can burn in our hearts, strengthen our faith and fortify our minds and we can know for ourselves that their words are true. What a blessing it is because i know that it is true. While the most perfect book states only three witnesses eight more men are able to give their testimony in the book of mormon, found directly under the testimony of three witnesses.
Additional book of mormon witnesses journey of faith films. Recent lds scholarship offers a cornucopia of reliable information on the witnesses and their integrity, readily overcoming the common allegations of the critics that their statements can be ignored or that they later denied what they gave witness to. I left my family over 7 months ago and will be gone for a total of 2 years. One of the eight witnesses there at organization of the church earliest ordained elders first church historian true to testimony all of life but not church complaints against joseph smith led to mormon war last survivor of 8 witnesses. Some mormons will agree that all three witnesses denied the book of mormon but came back to deny their denial.
I went to graduate seminary and received a master of theology 4 year and have spent many years ministering to the lgbtq. Why i believe the book of mormon to be the word of god, p. He left activity in the church in 1838 and in 1847 wrote to william mclellin. Did the witnesses who left the church continue to maintain their witness of 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. We can compare the witnesses for the book of mormon to the witnesses of manuscript found. Ufos, bigfoot, virgin mary apparitions, entire congregations testifying they witnessed angels in nonlds churches. Media in category book of mormon witnesses the following 2 files are in this category, out of 2 total. The eight witnesses of the book of mormon lds blogs. But though their testimonies are still printed at the beginning of every copy of the book of mormon, all three of these men left the church at some pointonly two. The reorganized mormon church does not teach or practice polygamy. George mantle to marietta walker, 26 december 1888, saint catherine, missouri, cited in autumn leaves 2 1889.
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. Why did some of the witnesses of the book of mormon leave the. 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. Martin harris shows signs of being an unstable person in terms of his religious convictions. The three witnesses is the collective name for three men connected with the early latter day. I love the book of mormon and highly recommend testimonies of the book of mormon witnesses. For a huge array of resources, talks, articles, videos, and so forth, go to or. Three witnesses mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. Peter whitmer, jr died in 1836, two years before his entire family left the church or were excommunicated. 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. Book of mormon brad wilcox midterm 1byu flashcards quizlet. I left the church at 27, but was still called to a religious life. Do mormons leave the church because they got offended. Considering joining the church of jesus christ of latterday.
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