Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book of. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses deseret book. 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 smith s translation had been accomplished by the gift and power of god. Mar 02, 2018 but, what never seems to go away for book of mormon critics are those pesky witnesses.
Book of mormon the testimony of three witnesses youtube. Moroni enos ether helaman lehi limhi nephi mormon moroni. The witnesses of the book of mormon nibley, preston on. An angel showing the gold plates to joseph smith, oliver cowdery. It took roughly 65 days to translate the book of mormon. Book of mormon central has released a new video in their series evidences of the book of mormon. The three witnesses are shown the golden plates by the angel, moroni. 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. Did the book of mormon witnesses really see what they. It is very interesting how the lord decided to have those special witnesses of his work of the last days. The bible prescribe at least two or three witnesses for everything. Book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation. Most of the evidence for such an argument is based on two statements made by martin harris.
Picture 517, moroni shows the gold plates to joseph smith, oliver cowdery, and david. Over the last three decades, word of the churchs acquisition of a book of mormon supposedly written in by elvis presley spread easily through fireside speakers, classroom teachers, and newspaper columnists. Testimony of three witnesses book of mormon youtube. Didnt moroni mean to say that they ordained them by the power of the priesthood. We can compare the witnesses for the book of mormon to the witnesses of manuscript found. 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 2 nephi 27. Bofm witnesses presentation provides a spiritual and temporal witness of the realities of the book of mormon.
The question of the book of mormon witnesses is extremely significant. 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. The priesthood offices of elder, priest, and teacher were different among the nephites than they are today. But, what never seems to go away for book of mormon critics are those pesky witnesses. The most significant witnesses are the three witnesses and the eight. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, for example, believe that the book of mormon was written on gold plates by a prophet named mormon.
We teamed up with artist katie payne to create a richly illustrated and beautifully animated video of the coming forth of the book of mormon. Holland what moroni first recorded in the book carrying his own name were vignettesa brief catalog. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the. Here are some critics thoughts on that thanks to gary porter and craig criddle for these. Of course, they were ordained by the power of the priesthood, but there is a relationship between priesthood and the holy ghost that we sometimes dont fully understand. That we, through the grace of god the father, and our lord jesus christ, have seen the plates which contain.
The book of mormon infamously draws heavily on the bible, including the new testament, which its supposed ancient authors would never have seen. Apparently he went on one of the infamous book of mormon tours to. 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. Autoplay when autoplay is enabled, a suggested video will automatically play next. The three witnesses of the book of mormon were oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris.
Though each of the three witnesses was eventually excommunicated from. Unless otherwise indicated, individuals may post material from the gospel. This video focuses on providing evidence the gold plates actually existed. Three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of god, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered. Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available. Richard lloyd anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited. A doctrine and covenants and a book of mormon for each child. A new look at how the 3 witnesses leaving the church actually supports the existence of the gold plates. Brother scotts book of mormon witness presentation. Their written testimony of three witnesses has been included in all of the almost 100.
I found brother scott to be engaging and enthusiastic. Most latterday saints are aware of the testimonies of the three witnesses and the eight witnesses to the book of mormon. The combined testimonies of the three and eight witnesses of the book of mormon provide powerful evidence of the restoration. Book of mormon the testimony of three witnesses awitness4jesuschrist michael corbett.
Joseph smith gave this account of of when he, whitmer, cowdery and harris were shown the golden plates by the angel. 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 which hath been spoken. First john in the book of mormon moronis new testament. 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. The testimony of three witnesses be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. It is very interesting how the lord decided to have those special witnesses. The testimony of three witnesses the testimony of eight witnesses 1 nephi 2 nephi jacob enos jarom omni words of mormon mosiah alma helaman 3 nephi. When the angel moroni showed the plates to the three witnesses, he fulfilled prophecy uttered at both the beginning and the end of the book of mormon. The author, richard lloyd anderson, gives many historical details about the statements of such critics and the sources and background of their statements. This video explores the history behind the witnesses to the book of mormon and. Supposedly harris was once asked if he saw the plates with his naked eyes to.
Almost two hundred years after the fact, the book of mormon witnesses still play a vital part of mormonism. The history of when david whitmer, oliver cowdery and martin harris saw the golden plates of the book of mormon. The three witnesses, unlike the eight witnesses, were shown the plates by a heavenly messenger, not joseph smith. Unless otherwise indicated, individuals may post material from the gospel media. Book of mormon central evidences of the book of mormon. 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. Debunking the myth of elviss book of mormon keith a. As the director of the church history library, where we hold the churchs official archival. The case against the 3 witnesses of the book of mormon duration. Erekson this story appeared in the marchapril 2020 issue of lds living. The three witnesses see the golden plates and the angel moroni.
This remarkable statement was in fulfillment of prophecy in the book of mormon itself, given by nephi, the son of lehi. President nelson grandfathers visit from the other side of the veil and family history work duration. The testimonies of the three and eight witnesses printed in each copy of the book of mormon are some of the most compelling evidence in favor of its miraculous. Three witnesses mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. It gives an overview of the plates from which the book was translated, showing how they were handed down from mormon to his son moroni and eventually to joseph smith.
Here are some critics thoughts on that thanks to gary porter and craig criddle. Though each of the three witnesses was eventually excommunicated from the church two returned, none ever denied or retracted his published testimony. Jan 01, 2020 we teamed up with artist katie payne to create a richly illustrated and beautifully animated video of the coming forth of the book of mormon. The famous 1967 bigfoot video referred to as the patterson video was believed by many people to be. Moroni, as a mortal man, was the last author of the book of mormon, burying the metal plates upon which it was recorded, some 421 years after the birth of christ. First john in the book of mormon moronis new testament, part. When he was finished translating the book of mormon, joseph gave the translators back to. A new look at how the 3 witnesses leaving the church. Book of mormon witnesses facts, controversies, and contradictions. Reading speed autoscroll paragraphs autoadvance to next chapter chapter 3. Mary whitmer, 12th witness to the book of mormon deseret news. 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. The first edition of the book of mormon featured two testimonials.
Yet some people have questioned the reality of their experiences, especially the encounter with the plates reported by the three witnesses. Male voice mp3 female voice mp3 entire book pdf related content. Did the book of mormon witnesses really see what they claimed. The manner which the disciples, which were called the elders of the church, ordained priests and teachers. He followed in the footsteps of his father, mormon after whom the book of mormon is named as keeper of an ancient record detailing the history and eventual destruction of their. The three men chosen as witnesses of the book of mormon were oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris. Joseph smith claimed he translated the book of mormon from a set of golden plates that were given to him by an angel named moroni. 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. The following is their testimony that can be found in the first pages of the book of mormon. After they had prayed unto the father in the name of christ, they laid their hands upon them and said, in the name of jesus christ, i ordain you to be a priest or if he be a teacher, i ordain you to be a teacher to preach repentance and remission of sins through jesus christ. 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 solemn testimony of these three additional witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon from the beginning. An interesting case study in point is the occurrence of two clear parallels to 1 john in moroni 78, as shown in the table below.
Concerning this record the prophet joseph smith said. Up next the ancient paths 5th interview with lds historian sandra tanner on the book of mormon duration. When i was a member of the church i honestly never thought about checking up on the witnesses of the book of mormon. Book of mormon witnesses encyclopedia of mormonism, pg. Jul 29, 2018 the book of mormon infamously draws heavily on the bible, including the new testament, which its supposed ancient authors would never have seen. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. Apr 26, 2010 the bible prescribe at least two or three witnesses for everything.
You try spraying, scrubbing, and still were left with so many persons whose testimonies of the. Articles of faith book of mormon videos images children and youth. The three and eight witnesses to the book of mormon. Moroni writes for the benefit of the lamanitesthe nephites who will not deny christ are put to death.
I applaud the effort to make the book of mormon better known. The testimonies of the three and eight witnesses were published in the first edition of the book of mormon and every edition since. The three special witnesses saw the angel moroni and the plates. Bom book any title page introduction testimony of three witnesses testimony of eight witnesses testimony of the prophet joseph smith a brief explanation about the book of mormon 1 nephi 2. Dec 04, 2009 president nelson grandfathers visit from the other side of the veil and family history work duration. The three witnesses of the book of mormon compilation retouching and. Artists depiction of moroni showing the plates to oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and joseph smith. Sep 10, 2010 the witnesses of the book of mormon nibley, preston on. Maughan showing joseph smith and two of the three witnesses. Nephi stated that none shall behold it save it be that three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of god, and they shall testify to the truth of the book and the things therein 2 nephi 27. 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. Moroni directs his comments to those who do not believe in christ. Church records tell us that the angel moroni came to retrieve them, just as he had told joseph he would. Three witnesses said they beheld the angel moroni, who showed.
Bom book any title page introduction testimony of three witnesses testimony of eight witnesses testimony of the prophet joseph smith a brief explanation about the book of mormon 1 nephi 2 nephi jacob enos jarom omni words of mormon mosiah alma helaman 3 nephi 4 nephi mormon ether moroni. 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 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. 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. Come follow me lesson the keystone of our religion. Part 2 contains the text of the book of mormon from alma 36 through moroni, statements of book of mormon witnesses, and reference material, including a chronology, a biographical register, and a table. A modernday prophet testifies of the book of mormon paperback april 6, 2009 book by ezra taft benson, th president of the lds church. 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. The statement of the 3 witnesses for the book of mormon was a single statement signed by all three men. Team up with a family member to transcribe 1 nephi chapter 1 for 15 minutes. The testimonies of the three and eight witnesses were published in the first edition of the. 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. Who were the three and eight witnesses whose testimonies have appeared in the.
Martin harris among the favorite antimormon charges is that the three witnesses only imagined that they saw the book of mormon plates. Dec 05, 2009 book of mormon the testimony of three witnesses awitness4jesuschrist michael corbett. Three witnesses oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and. 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. Why were 3 witnesses chosen video prepared by book of mormon central. Nowhere is this more evident than in the writings attributed to moroni toward the end of the book of mormon. Throughout their lives, none of the witnesses of the book of mormon ever. Activity after losing the 116 pages and not being able to translate for a while the translation of the book of mormon started again on april 7, 1829.