The testimony of the two witnesses book of mormon

In the opening pages of the book of mormon, two statements are printed, each signed by a set of witnesses. 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. 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. The book of mormon has filled my heart with so much joy and light and hope.

Book of mormon, 1830, page 589 the joseph smith papers. Current mormon doctrine on the nature of god, the priesthood, use of temples, baptism for the dead, and men becoming gods, is nowhere contained in the book of mormon. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. Who are the few who were permitted to see the plates. This is the first half of an old byu film depicting the story of the three witnesses of the book of mormon. Togather saints introduction and witnesses of the book. An ongoing series of articles on some common and recurring weak arguments that christians make against mormonism. Oxford university press, 2003, 4142, emphasis added.

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 american scripture that launched a new world religion new york. But, what never seems to go away for book of mormon critics are those pesky witnesses. The three witnesses were closely associated with joseph smith, jr. The bible prescribe at least two or three witnesses for everything. The record which the book of mormon was translated from included a group of three and eight witnesses respectively. After copying these two documents by hand, president smith read them in at least two public discourses. Their declaration of what happened is published in the book of mormon as the testimony of three witnesses. After copying these two documents by hand, president smith read them in at least two public discoursesonce in march 1939 and again in the october. The sharing of testimony is confirmed in our hearts as the spirit bears witness of truth.

The three witnesses, unlike the eight witnesses, were shown the plates by. Martin harris made a significant financial contribution to the printing of the book of mormon. The witnesses repeatedly reaffirmed what they said in their book of mormon testimony, in detail. I felt prompted to share my testimony of the book of mormon with you. These three witnesses oliver cowdery, david whitmer and martin harris wrote that they were shown the plates by an angel who also attested to them that joseph smith translated the book by the gift and power of god. We also talk about the testimony of the three witnesses. Two men tackled him and he fought and knocked them both down and. At the beginning of the book of mormon, as part of the introduction, are two. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses book of mormon central. A few days later, the whitmer family traveled with joseph to his familys home in palmyra, new york. The world was not left with joseph smiths testimony alone. Faithpromoting material about the book of mormon witnesses like cowdery claims they. I was present at the deathbed of oliver cowdery, and his last words were, brother david, be true to your testimony of the book of mormon. 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.

All three witnesses eventually broke with smith and were excommunicated from the church. The last printed leafbearing the signed statements of witnessesis not numbered. The three and eight witnesses to the book of mormon. In an article titled, facts on the book of mormon witnesses, author joel groat concludes. Book of mormon has generally contained two sets of testimoniesthe testimony of three witnesses and the testimony of eight witnesses. The testimony of two nations book of mormon study notes. Testimony and witnesses the truth about the book of mormon. When the book of mormon came forth, the lord saw fit to provide many witnesses regarding its veracity. 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. 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. Why is there a need for the testimony of two nations. He gave joseph like first witness, but one according to the scriptures is not enough so god provided three new witnesses. 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. In addition, it has been argued that smith and the witnesses had a similar magical worldview.

And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also 2 nephi 29. Two of the three witnesses who were excommunicated from the mormon church later returned to the church after denying their testimony. Ten testimonies of jesus christ from the book of mormon. To provide support towards the existence of the plates, smith included two statements in the book of mormon saying that the book of mormon witnesses had been shown the plates, and their testimony is typically published at the beginning of the book of mormon.

Book of mormon witnesses facts, controversies, and contradictions. Nephis mentioning of the testimony of the two nations that would run together brings to mind the passage in ezekiel 37 wellknown to latterday saints. 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, 1830, page 590 the joseph smith papers. Why are there two sets of official book of mormon witnesses. Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book. They are from modern antimormon third hand sources. Also, joseph later found that the book of mormon prophesies in two places of its modern witnesses. The three witnesses of the book of mormon, part 1 youtube. In sharing these testimonies of the book of mormon, president smiths. Cowderys elevated status as second elder and witness to the book of mormon was eventually lost amid accusations of adultery and theft. All three men upheld their testimony of the book of mormon at their deaths. The three witnesses were oliver cowdery, martin harris, and david whitmer, whose joint testimony, in conjunction with a separate statement by eight witnesses, has been printed with every edition of the book of mormon since its first publication in 1830. Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 2 mormons.

Even if the majority of the witnesses to the book of mormon did not deny their testimony of the book itself, this does little to support mormonism today. Mclellin was an early mormon who personally knew all of these book of mormon witnesses. The following commentary is regarding these testimonies. The solemn testimony of these three additional witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon from the beginning.

Explaining away the book of mormon witnesses fairmormon. 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 first edition of the book of mormon featured two testimonials. Jan 26, 2017 two solemn declarations the testimony of three witnesses and the testimony of eight witnesses have been published with the book of mormon since 1830. Jan 05, 2020 their declaration of what happened is published in the book of mormon as the testimony of three witnesses. Mar 02, 2018 but, what never seems to go away for book of mormon critics are those pesky witnesses. Theyre distinctly different both in their tone and in what they describe. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 2003, 31642. Did the book of mormon witnesses contradict their testimony. In a recently found collection of his writings, mclellin tells of instances where one of the witnesses stood by his testimony even when subjected to beating and pounding. That i have never at any time denied that testimony of the book of mormon or any part thereof, which has so long since been published with that book, as one of the three witnesses. The book includes two blank front flyleaves and two blank back flyleaves other copies have three back flyleaves. 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. While the testimony of the eight witnesses emphasized the tangible reality of.

As an example of this, here is a letter written by john whitmer toward the end of his life, i have never heard that any one of the three, or eight witnesses ever denied the testimony that they have borne to the book as published in the first edition of the book of mormon. I think i was probably about age 20 two before i discovered the books actually mattered and ive read hundreds and hundreds of books and that statement that the book of mormon, you know is the truest book. It is contradictory to say the two fake quotes from antimormon, thirdhand sources, are the only real testimonies. He declared that the book of mormon shall restore plain and precious things taken away from the bible scriptural witnesses, general conference, october 2007. Joseph smith only had three witnesses who claimed to see an angel. Aug 17, 2017 he declared that the book of mormon shall restore plain and precious things taken away from the bible scriptural witnesses, general conference, october 2007. Book of mormon witnesses all later denied its truthfulness. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses religious studies. None of the eleven book of mormon witnesses ever signed their testimonies.

Book of mormon witnesses the encyclopedia of mormonism. On thursday, july 2, joseph invited eight members of the two families to join him in the woods nearby, where he showed them the plates. 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 eight witnesses were the second of the two groups of. Nov 27, 2012 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. Critics have long tried to dismiss or destroy the witnesses witness. 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. He was excommunicated from the church in 1838 and forced to leave the area. Testimonies of the book of mormon witnesses deseret book. Jan 27, 2017 the solemn testimony of these three additional witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon from the beginning.

Based on the body of available evidence we dont really know if the eleven book of mormon witnesses ever signed. Were those fake quotes handwritten from the witnesses. 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 witnesses is the collective name for three men connected with the early latter day. While none of these men ever retracted their statement, critics nevertheless discount. Based on the body of available evidence we dont really know if the eleven book of mormon witnesses ever signed their testimony or not. During 2014, lds members will be studying the latest manual published by their church, teachings of presidents of the church. The question of the book of mormon witnesses is extremely significant. This book was printed on thirtyseven sheets and folded into thirtyseven gatherings of eight leaves each, making a text block of 592 pages.

Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book of. All the mormon witnesses are as worthless as they are unreliable who recanted their testimony. As the director of the church history library, where we hold the churchs official archival. I think my mom would be proud to know that this point actually, ive read a lot of books. The complete story, parts 1 and 2 of martin harriss witness to the book of mormon to watch originals from the channel theldslife. The three witnesses, unlike the eight witnesses, were shown the plates by a heavenly messenger, not joseph smith.

Scores of them ignoring the personal testimonies of the gospel writerstwo of those who had seen and felt jesus in the resurrectionignoring the speeches in the. For reasons that are not completely clear, smith and cowderys relationship soured. In the end, the testimony of the three witnesses and the testimony of the eight witnesses are part of the historical record and therefore should be taken into account, but they need to be understood for what they really are. Harmon, made in about 1885, cited in vogel, emd, 2. Why didnt the book of mormon witnesses sign their testimony. Some, unable or unwilling to take the witnesses to the book of mormon at their word, question their claims of seeing and hefting the golden plates, insisting instead that the witnesses saw only with spiritual eyes which means, effectively, in their imaginations. So right at the outset of the translation, the promise of book of mormon witnesses was given by revelation. David whitmers final testimony of the book of mormon. Prophets have always borne witness of the gospel of jesus christ as revealed to them by the power of the holy ghost. Two solemn declarations the testimony of three witnesses and the testimony of eight witnesses have been published with the book of mormon since 1830.

The book of mormon contains two sets of joint statements written by joseph smith for those who claimed to have seen the gold plates. Before cowdery served as one of the three witnesses, he had already experienced two other important visions. The testimony of two nations is a witness of god, and that he remembers one nation like unto another. Three witnesses of the book of mormon department of. Gospel insights from general authorities and religious educators, provo, ut. I wish now, standing as it were, in the very sunset of life, and in the fear of god, once and for all to make this public statement. The book of mormon provided multiple official and unofficial witnesses who corroborated aspects of josephs account.

The shakers, however, had a large number of witnesses who claimed they saw angels and the roll and book. When joseph smith first obtained the gold plates, he was told to show them to no one. 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. The book of mormon holds a special place in my heart. Dec 31, 2015 some, unable or unwilling to take the witnesses to the book of mormon at their word, question their claims of seeing and hefting the golden plates, insisting instead that the witnesses saw only with spiritual eyes which means, effectively, in their imaginations. Witnesses reaffirm the book of mormon the spectrum. Two sets of official book of mormon witnesses mormonism. This is in accordance with the divine law of witnesses. President smith was also privileged to handle a handwritten testimony of oliver cowdery, another of the three witnesses of the book of mormon. Ces letter falsely attributes the second quote to 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. Mar 17, 2016 and when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also 2 nephi 29. The three witnesses of the book of mormon compilation retouching. 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.

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 second quote also couldnt possibly apply, as it is from 1827, years after the book of mormon witness statement. The eight witnesses of the book of mormon lds blogs. 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. It is very interesting how the lord decided to have those special witnesses of his work of the last days.