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. None of the eleven book of mormon witnesses ever signed their testimonies. The book of mormon provided multiple official and unofficial witnesses who corroborated aspects of josephs account. 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. Three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of god, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered.
Let me give an example of martin harriss testimony. The testimony of these three prophets interlink in order to establish the veracity and power of each others witness of christ. The witnesses of the book of mormon by preston nibley. Audio and video copyright 2004 the foundation for apologetic.
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. Did the witnesses who left the church continue to maintain their witness of the book of mormon. 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 complete story, parts 1 and 2 of martin harriss witness to the book of mormon to watch originals from the channel theldslife, lds life originals, click the link below. The law of witnesses in 2 nephi religious studies center. 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. 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. Dec 05, 2009 president nelson grandfathers visit from the other side of the veil and family history work duration. The past several articles revealed that some people who lived in ancient america knew of jesus christ.
Believers in the book of mormon heard the witnesses declare that the plates were real and that the book of mormon was true. The three witnesses, unlike the eight witnesses, were shown the plates by. Lds truth claims 7 attempting to impeach the eight. We also talk about the testimony of the three witnesses. Defending the book of mormon witnesses latterday saints. So on this video were going to talk about the book of mormon witnesses and what critics say about them. As the director of the church history library, where we hold the churchs official archival. Their contemporaries did not know quite what to make of three such men who testified of angels and gold plates, but they did not impugn the character or reliability of the men who bore that testimony.
He removed with his parents to new york state when a boy, and married elizabeth schott, september 29, 1825. The solemn testimony of these three additional witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon from the beginning. 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. Bofm witnesses presentation provides a spiritual and temporal witness of the realities of the book of mormon. Theyre distinctly different both in their tone and in what they describe. In my personal experience, and as a member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints sometimes mistakenly called the mormon church, i have heard it described as everything from interesting, false, uplifting, or contrary to the bible. The statement of the 3 witnesses for the book of mormon was a single statement signed by all three men. The three witnesses of the book of mormon parent page.
A new look at how the 3 witnesses leaving the church actually supports the existence of the gold plates. 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. The book of mormon is a witness to the truth of the bible. This video uses testimonies of several different apostles of jesus christ to discuss the importance of the book of mormon in gods plan to establish his doctrine and kingdom. Unless otherwise indicated, individuals may post material from the gospel media portion of this site to another website or on a computer network. New video on evidence for book of mormon plates book of. 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 evidence. Book of mormon the testimony of three witnesses youtube. Feb 19, 2019 former the book of mormon costars cody jamison strand and jacob ben widmar stop by to chat about broadways high school throwback concert at green room 42 and more with paul wontorek. Based on the body of available evidence we dont really know if the eleven book of mormon witnesses ever signed. 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. Why are there two sets of official book of mormon witnesses. In this first of two parts, dan examines the three book of mormon witnesses and does.
A year before his death in richmond, missouri, david responded to two encyclopedias that claimed he and the other witnesses had denied their testimonies of the book of mormon. The witnesses of the book of mormon nibley, preston on. 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 with the appearance of gold which he translated by the gift and power of god. The testimonies of the three and eight witnesses were published in the first edition of the book of mormon and every edition since. There were two formal groups whose witness buttressed joseph smiths account of the gold plates. We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading investigating the book of mormon witnesses.
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. They were oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris. 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. It helps me feel closer to jesus christ and his teachings. Togather saints introduction and witnesses of the book. The book of mormon is used as a companion book to the bible by members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Print my two pages out and fold it into a book fold into fours and staple the two together. Some mormons will agree that all three witnesses denied the book of mormon but came back to deny their denial.
As such, he has prepared a plan of salvation alma 24. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses richard l. This video focuses on providing evidence the gold plates actually existed. Oxford university press, 2003, 4142, emphasis added. The three are part of twelve book of mormon witnesses. This is the first half of an old byu film depicting the story of the three witnesses of the book of mormon. The witnesses to the book of mormon the witnesses to the book of mormon have always been extremely impressive to me.
However, we would be misguided if we were to conclude that the witnesses testimonies establish nothing of pivotal importance. I also be held the interpreters that book is true, so joseph smith and all of the calgary well talk about nite interpreters that are described in the book of mormon other witnesses, the book of mormon. The three witnesses of the book of mormon, part 1 youtube. The three witnesses sacrificed much to help with the translation and publication of the book of mormon. The central theme of the movie is three accounts that are legally admissible testimony. Book of mormon witnesses the witnesses were men considered honest, responsible, and intelligent. The american scripture that launched a new world religion new york. According to mormon belief, three witnesses were shown the golden plates of the book of mormon. The testimony of the three witnesses is consistent, impressive, and reliable. One of the eight witnesses to the book of mormon, was the second son of peter whitmer, sen. Explaining away the book of mormon witnesses fairmormon. The witnesses of the book of mormon the millennial star. As noted by this palmyra paper, the book of mormon had been generally known as the golden bible for a while, and had.
In their statement, they give binding testimony that they. The three witnesses, unlike the eight witnesses, were shown the plates by a heavenly messenger, not joseph smith. Three witnesses of the book of mormon department of. Apr 26, 2010 the bible prescribe at least two or three witnesses for everything. Mar 11, 2018 scriptural witnesses authenticate each other. Today chris and clay join me again for a roundtable discussion about the eleven witnesses to the book of mormon. This concept was explained long ago when a prophet wrote that the book of mormon was written for the intent that ye may believe the bible. The video discusses the testimonies of the three witnesses. The same statements are often quoted elsewhere in the wiki under specific articles. 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. Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 1 mormons in. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses kindle edition by anderson, richard lloyd. 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.
It is very interesting how the lord decided to have those special witnesses of his work of the last days. The book of mormon contains two sets of joint statements written by joseph smith for those who claimed to have seen the gold plates. 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 first edition of the book of mormon featured two testimonials. The world was not left with joseph smiths testimony alone.
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. From changing their stories to denying their faith to getting excommunicated and much more, join me in this video as we talk through. 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 central has released a new video in their series evidences 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.
Richard andersons work on the three witnesses and the eight witnesses demonstrates conclusively. I just want to say something about the witnesses of the book of mormon in terms of evidence. Book of mormon the testimony of three witnesses awitness4jesuschrist michael corbett. The case against the 3 witnesses of the book of mormon duration. The question of the book of mormon witnesses is extremely significant. 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 the summer of 1829, after the translation of the book of mormon had been completed, the three of them with joseph smith went to a nearby grove to receive a witness of the book of mormon. 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. This remarkable statement was in fulfillment of prophecy in the book of mormon itself, given by nephi, the son of lehi. In the first, oliver cowdery, david whitmer and martin harris affirm that theyve seen the plates from which the book of mormon was translated by.
May 21, 2014 this is the first half of an old byu film depicting the story of the three witnesses of the book of mormon. Through prayer and fervent study i know with surety that we can each receive our own personal testimony and witness of this powerful book. 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. An ongoing series of articles on some common and recurring weak arguments that christians make against mormonism. 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. Book of mormon witnesses all later denied its truthfulness.
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. The book of mormon teaches that several groups of people came from the holy lands to the americas. 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. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. The official youtube channel of the book of mormon musical.
The eight witnesses of the book of mormon lds blogs. Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book of. The case against the 3 witnesses of the book of mormon. The testimony of the eight witnesses gospel doctrine. Review some of the witnesses of the book of mormon and either draw your own pictures of these individuals or write down key details from each account. However, within the pages of the book of mormon itself are the combined testimony of three ancient witnesses. 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. Similar to previous sessions addressing the witnesses of the book of mormon, we evaluate the eight as witnesses using bicc and offer counterarguments for critics. A faith promoting presentation of many correlations between the book of mormon and mesoamerican history. Book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation.
Ive been held with my eyes and handled with my hands, the gold plates from which it was translated. Here is their formal statement, which is present in every copy of the book of mormon. 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. The three witnesses, martin harris, oliver cowdery, and david. Nephi included another application of the law of witnesses in 2 nephi 29, when he wrote of at least three sets of scriptures that the lord will bring forth. The statement of the 8 witnesses was also a single statement signed by all 8 men oliver cowdery actually signed each of the eight witnesses names. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. The testimony of three witnesses be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come.
The overall secular case for the book of mormon is a cumulative one. 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. Book of mormon central has released a new video in their series evidences. Much has been said about the book of mormon since its first publication in the 1800s. This page collects statements from the witnesses to the book of mormon plates in one convenient location. 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. Have you received your own testimony and witness of the book of mormon lately. In the course of the work of translation, joseph smiths history explains, we ascertained that three special witnesses were to be provided by the lord, to whom he would grant, that they should see the plates from which this work the book of mormon should be translated. My witness is that its the most literally beautiful doctrinally truthful and everlasting applicable book ever produced in the world. This video also depicts how the three men remained true to. The best source for the book of mormon tickets and the book of mormon information, photos and videos. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses kindle edition. That i have never at any time denied that testimony or any part thereof, which has so long since been published with that book, as one of the three witnesses. All three of them left the mormon church at one point or another.
The three and eight witnesses to the book of mormon. All three witnesses left the church for a time, but two came back before their deaths to make peace with god, and they all continued to bear witness to the book of mormon and their vision of the plates to the end. Some people seem to deal with them by simply waving them aside. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses deseret book. Lets study the introductory pages of the book of mormon. The witnesses to the book of mormon are blatantly not credible.
In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. No single piece of evidence demonstrates everything, by itself, that believers in the book of mormon affirm. There is not one reliable record where they denied that testimony, all three of. Readers of the book of mormon are undoubtedly familiar with the three witnesses. 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 three witnesses of the book of mormon lds blogs. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. 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. All three witnesses testimony of three witnesses 1829.