Witnesses to the book of mormon

The book of mormon provided multiple official and unofficial witnesses who corroborated aspects of josephs account. The american scripture that launched a new world religion new york. Reasoning from the scriptures with mormons by ron rhodes more insights from your bible study get started with logos bible software for free. 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.

Richard lloyd anderson presents evidence from original sources on each of the eleven witnesses and concludes. Besides their formal testimonies printed in every edition of the book of mormon since 1830, two of the three witnesses and three of the eight witnesses are known to have left behind written accounts of their experience. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading investigating the book of mormon witnesses. They knew that three people would be allowed to see the plates and would testify to the world that the book of mormon is true ether 5. The three men chosen as witnesses of the book of mormon were oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris. 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. The eight witnesses of the book of mormon lds blogs. Why are there two sets of official book of mormon witnesses. Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book. Throughout their lives, none of the witnesses of the book of mormon ever denied their testimonies. Their straightforward and unambiguous claims cannot be easily dismissed or ignored.

Orson pratt was baptized in the fall of 1830, the year in which the book of mormon was printed and the church was organized. 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. Much of the book of mormon was produced in the home of his father, peter, as he hosted the smiths. The testimonies of the witnesses printed in the book of mormon offer compelling evidence in favor of its miraculous origin. The earliest documented statement of the three witnesses oliver 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. 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. The solemn testimony of the three witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon since 1830. George mantle to marietta walker, 26 december 1888, saint catherine, missouri, cited in autumn leaves 2 1889. Harper invites us to examine the evidence left by oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris top to bottom as well as the eight witnesses.

Statement in richmond democrat, february 1888 source. Book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation. The testimony of the three and eight witnesses to the book of mormon is a key part to the testimonies of many members of the church. Book of mormon witnesses the encyclopedia of mormonism. Two solemn declarations the testimony of three witnesses and the testimony of eight witnesses have been published with the book of mormon since 1830. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses deseret book. Whatever one may think of the book of mormon origins, the three witnesses along with the other eight witnesses and the prophet joseph smith himself could accurately be described as being stumbling blocks to the skeptic, critic, and unbeliever. The statement of the 3 witnesses for the book of mormon was a single statement signed by all three men. These men signed statements declaring the book of mormon was true, and that. Thus, we find every living book of mormon witnesses, except oliver cowdery, accepting strang as their prophet, at least for a time. 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. 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. We also talk about the testimony of the three witnesses, three men who were allowed to see an angel and the physical.

This video defends the book of mormon witnesses and shows how the lord set up multiple crosschecks and backup evidences to make it very. Witnesses film an interpreter foundation production. 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. 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 three witnesses, unlike the eight witnesses, were shown the plates by. The world was not left with joseph smiths testimony alone. 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. Faithpromoting material about the book of mormon witnesses like cowdery claims. And numerous statements survive from others who heard the testimonies of one or more of them. The three witnesses, unlike the eight witnesses, were shown the plates by a heavenly messenger, not joseph smith. No single piece of evidence demonstrates everything, by itself, that believers in the book of mormon affirm.

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. Harper, the eleven witnesses, in the coming forth of the book of mormon. According to anderson, whitmer affirmed his witness of the book of mormon many times, including to a mob in 1833 in independence, missouri, who threatened his life. Deseret book and religious studies center, brigham young university, 2015, 1172 amy eastonflake and rachel cope, a multiplicity of witnesses. The witness statements enhance the plausibility of joseph smith and the book he dictated. Hedges, john hilton iii, and kerry hull salt lake city and provo, ut.

Jan 05, 2020 the three witnessesoliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harrisall participated in the translation of the book of mormon. Richard lloyd anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited. For over forty years, i have been a student of joseph smiths life and teachings. 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. Witnesses of the book of mormon church of jesus christ. The witnesses of the book of mormon by preston nibley. The overall secular case for the book of mormon is a cumulative one. When the statement is made that the witnesses maintained their testimonies of the book. Two recent articles examine the role of 11 men and four women who saw, felt, heard and knew. When joseph smith first obtained the gold plates, he was told to show them to no one. Whatever one may think of the book of mormon origins, the three witnesses along with the other eight witnesses and the prophet joseph smith himself could. The 11 witnesses were all good, honorable men and regarded as upstanding members of the community. Those who would defend traditional beliefs about mormon origins often turn to the testimonies of 11 men.

Bofm witnesses presentation provides a spiritual and temporal witness of the realities of the book of mormon. If you have requested a visit, or are actively witnessing to mormon missionaries, request to join the group to receive encouragement as you witness, learn from others experiences, share prayer requests, and enjoy the blessing of comforting others as they witness. Book of mormonwitnesseseye of faith and spiritual eye. 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. By 1847, not a single one of the surviving eleven witnesses were affiliated with the mormon church. In every copy of the book of mormon is the signed statement by the witnesses of the bom.

Russell, a member of the community of christ and professor of history of the lds movement at graceland university, strongly disagrees. 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. An earlier group of witnesses who said they had seen the plates were called the three witnesses. Lehi took his family into the wilderness, crossed the sea to a land of promise on the american continent, and a great, albeit relatively small, civilization was established. Beyond the testimony of the holy ghost, the witnesses represent the only evidence for the book of mormon provided by the lord himself. Critics have long tried to dismiss or destroy the witnesses witness. Three witnesses the testimonies of the witnesses printed in the book of mormon offer compelling evidence in favor of its miraculous origin. Some mormons will agree that all three witnesses denied the book of mormon but came back to deny their denial. 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. Andrew jenson, david whitmer, the historical record 7 oct 1888. 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. Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book of. The evidence left by the book of mormon witnesses is rich, varied, and uneven, including the following.

Some even base their testimony of the truthfulness of the book of mormon on these 11 witnesses and their claims. Critics often declare that the witnesses to the book of mormon never claimed to have literally seen or hefted the plates. One of the eight witnesses to the book of mormon was the fifth son of peter whitmer, sen. 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. Which is basically like using a spiderman comic book to prove that batman is wrong. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. David whitmer, one of the book of mormon s three witnesses, said if you believe my testimony to the book of mormon. Beginning with the first edition of 1830, the book of mormon has generally contained two sets of testimonies the testimony of three witnesses and the testimony of eight witnesses. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Historical evidence has led many people to question the authenticity of the book of mormon and the credibility of joseph smiths story. Did book of mormon witnesses simply see the golden plates with. 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. Statements clearly traced to the witnesses verify the testimonies printed in the book of mormon. The first edition of the book of mormon featured two testimonials.

Introduction nephi, jacob, and isaiahthree special witnesses the typifying of jesus christ deliverance from death isaiah in the book of mormon concerning judah and jerusalem the mountain of the lords house. Book of mormon witnesses all later denied its truthfulness. He was excommunicated from the church in 1838 and forced to leave the area. The only thing this book continuously stressed is that jesus is god, the holy spirit is god, and the trinity is one being. 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. Cowderys elevated status as second elder and witness to the book of mormon was eventually lost amid accusations of adultery and theft. The three men called to serve as special witnesses of the coming forth of the book of mormon by the power of god, are oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin. 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. Also cited in richard lloyd anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses salt lake city. Did the eleven witnesses actually see the gold 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. For example, the story of samuel, the lamanite prophet, given in heleman 16 of the book of mormon, is similar to the story of jesus, son of ananus, found on page 20 of the view of hebrews, who climbed upon the city wall to preach wo, wo to this city while stones were thrown at him. In another thread the question was asked why someone such as myself feels the book of mormon witnesses are not particularly strong evidence for ancient authorship on the grounds they profited from the narrative.

Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses religious studies center. The case against the 3 witnesses of the book of mormon youtube. Oxford university press, 2003, 4142, emphasis added. Theyre distinctly different both in their tone and in what they describe. It is inconclusive if the witnesses actually saw plates or if they only claimed to see them. The eight other witnesses just saw and handled the golden plates. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses kindle edition by anderson, richard lloyd. Many critics have tried to ignore their testimonies, while others have simply glossed over their significance. In this light, niggling criticisms that the testimonies of the book of mormon witnesses dont prove the plates ancient and dont rigorously demonstrate the existence of an ancient nephite. The three witnesses is the collective name for three men connected with the early latter day. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses 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. We can compare the witnesses for the book of mormon to the witnesses of manuscript found.

Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses religious studies. For reasons that are not completely clear, smith and cowderys relationship soured. Did the book of mormon witnesses really see what they claimed. In this carefully researched, thoughtprovoking book, dr. Check out the viewpoint on mormonism podcast series 15 witnesses to the book of mormon part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 february 1518, 2016 joseph smith claimed that in 1823 he was visited by an angel named moroni and that this angel told him that there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the. Harmon, made in about 1885, cited in vogel, emd, 2.

Those who have attempted to tackle the issue generally have relied on ad. Dec 31, 2015 yet, harper observes, critics of the book of mormon to the extent that they engage the witnesses at all repeatedly choose to privilege selected hearsay more than the direct statements of the witnesses, interpreting it by means of speculations and conjectures. 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. And eyewitness testimony to the existence of angels and of god himself is scarcely of trivial importance. The three special witnesses saw the angel moroni and the plates. 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. 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. 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. The three are part of twelve book of mormon witnesses, who also include smith and the eight witnesses. Anderson, in his faithpromoting book titled investigating the book of mormon witnesses, insists that readers must take the testimony of the eleven witnesses at face value. Oct 08, 2019 the witnesses to the book of mormon are blatantly not credible. 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. Three witnesses of the book of mormon department of. Jan 27, 2017 the solemn testimony of the three witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon since 1830.

They had full confidence that, as a prophet, joseph smith was in touch with god and powerfully brought those hearing him closer to christ. Mar 19, 2020 in this light, niggling criticisms that the testimonies of the book of mormon witnesses dont prove the plates ancient and dont rigorously demonstrate the existence of an ancient nephite. Witnesses to the book of mormon david whitmer general. Motives the testimony of the book of mormon witnesses has been a thorn in the side of the critics for more than a century and a half. Candidly examining all substantial arguments, pro and con, this project will argue powerfully for their credibility. From changing their stories to denying their faith to getting excommunicated and much more, join me in this video as we talk through. Oct 18, 2018 however, we would be misguided if we were to conclude that the witnesses testimonies establish nothing of pivotal importance. The three and eight witnesses to 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. 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. Additional information on the individual witnesses and their statements are available in the maxwell institutes digital collection. We have a private facebook group for our active please open the door evangelists. Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 2 mormons. David whitmer was one of six original members of the church of christ that joseph smith organized in 1830. It uses biblical quotes to disprove the book of mormon and the nwt of the jws bible. I have a testimony of what those close to joseph reported. Here are some critics thoughts on that thanks to gary porter and craig criddle for these. 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. He was personally acquainted with the prophet joseph smith and the witnesses of the book of mormon. In the first pages of the book of mormon, we can receive a witness that the lord watches over those who are faithful to him, and will provide a way for their deliverance. Deseret book and religious studies center, brigham young university, 2015, 1172. Some may not realize that, aside from viewing the plates, the three witnesses of the book of mormon beheld several other nephite artifacts, including the miraculous directors which were given to lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the red sea doctrine and covenants 17.

The author, richard lloyd anderson, gives many historical details about the statements of such critics and the sources and background of their statements. Harris as an unwitting witness of book of mormons veracity and physicality. Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 1 mormons. Every book of mormon makes these statements in the inside cover of title page. The book of mormon provided multiple official and unofficial witnesses who corroborated.