8 witnesses of the book of mormon

Despite hardships and difficulties, the book of mormon witnesses remained true to their testimonies of this book throughout their lives. William smith witnesses of the golden plates and book of. 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. Did the book of mormon witnesses really see what they.

Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses book of mormon. The historical facts and the special witnesses of the book of mormon testify that its coming forth was indeed miraculous. The eight witnesses were shown the plates by joseph smith. Did book of mormon witnesses simply see the golden plates with. Soon afterward, at the smith farm in new york, eight others were allowed to view and handle the plates. The eight witnesses were the second of two sets of special witnesses to the book of mormon s golden plates. Its such a good chapter full of doctrine and visuals on its own. Witnesses are important at first, i was confused why ces letter devoted so much space to the book of mormon witnesses. When joseph smith first obtained the gold plates, he was told to show them to no one. 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. Book of mormon witnesses all later denied its truthfulness.

For over forty years, i have been a student of joseph smiths life and teachings. How do critics of the church attempt to dismiss the experience of the eight witnesses of the book of mormon. William was a fierce defender of his family and his brother joseph. Harmon, made in about 1885, cited in vogel, emd, 2. Discussions on the book of mormon joseph smithhistory. These divinely appointed witnesses help the book of mormon fulfill one of its primary purposesto convince the world that jesus is the christ, the eternal god.

Statements clearly traced to the witnesses verify the testimonies printed in the book of mormon. When i was a2a this question, i had to go look for info. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses kindle edition by anderson, richard lloyd. Historical evidence has led many people to question the authenticity of the book of mormon and the credibility of joseph smiths story. Testimony of the witnesses and general church history byutv. 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. Discussions on the book of mormon testimony of the witnesses and general church history episode info. This second quote also couldnt possibly apply, as it is from 1827, years after the book of mormon witness statement. The three witnesses, unlike the eight witnesses, were shown the plates by a heavenly messenger, not joseph smith. Nevertheless, the power of this book is not based only in its magnificent history but on its powerful, unparalleled message that has changed countless lives including mine. Christian whitmer, jacob whitmer, peter whitmer, jr. In this carefully researched, thoughtprovoking book, dr. Testimony of eight witnesses church of jesus christ. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.

Monument to the eight witnesses of the book of mormon, liberty, missouri. These include the three witnesses, the eight witnesses, and mary whitmer. 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. 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. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come, that joseph smith, jr.

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. And testimonies almost always wilt under crossexamination or sustained questioning. Oct 18, 2018 the power of context in the newest book of mormon video on faith in jesus christ jannalee sandau this weeks book of mormon video includes the iconic and powerful teachings in alma 32 on faith as a seed. 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. David whitmer, one of the book of mormon s three witnesses, said if you believe my testimony to the book of mormon. Like most mormons i never considered the witnesses and anything more than a nice supporting page for the truthfulness of the book of mormon, not really all that necessary. Jan 27, 2017 the solemn testimony of these three additional witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon from the beginning. As with the three witnesses, the testimony of these eight men appears in each copy of the book of mormon, declaring that they saw and hefted the book of mormon plates. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading investigating the book of mormon witnesses. Today were asking a few questions about the book of mormon witnesses. The mission of byutv is to create purposeful, engaging viewing.

Monument to the eight witnesses of the book of mormon, liberty, missouri, at the time it was dedicated. Joseph smith, the three witnesses, and the eight witnesses are a twelveman jury in affirming the reality of the gold plates and the book of mormon. Where did the 8 witnesses of the book of mormon see the. 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.

Which is basically like using a spiderman comic book to prove that batman is wrong. Did the book of mormon witnesses really see what they claimed. These men signed statements declaring the book of mormon was true, and that. After the witnesses returned to the house the angel again made his appearance to joseph and received the plates from his hands. Bofm witnesses presentation provides a spiritual and temporal witness of the realities of the book of mormon. 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. Book of mormon, 1830, page 589 the joseph smith papers. 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. Those who would defend traditional beliefs about mormon origins often turn to the testimonies of 11 men. Book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation.

Did the eleven witnesses actually see the gold plates. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses kindle edition. Testimony of the eight witnesses book of mormon central. The first edition of the book of mormon featured two testimonials. And not one of the witnesses ever retracted or denied their testimony, including the men who later left mormonism. 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 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.

Critics often declare that the witnesses to the book of mormon never. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. Ces letter falsely attributes the second quote to martin harris. That we, through the grace of god the father, and our lord jesus christ, have seen the plates which contain this record. May 23, 2017 the answer is problematic since so very little about the incident, other than the statement found in every bom, is known. The testimony of the eight witnesses gospel doctrine. The only thing this book continuously stressed is that jesus is god, the holy spirit is god, and the trinity is one being. An additional eight witnesses members of the smith and whitmer families declared that joseph smith himself showed them the plates and allowed each to heft. Three witnesses of the book of mormon department of. John whitmer published his witness to the plates, and reaffirmed the written testimony of the eight witnesses published in the book of mormon. The solemn testimony of these three additional witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon from the beginning. Their straightforward and unambiguous claims cannot be easily dismissed or ignored. 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 by the gift and power of god.

The bom is the keystone of mormonism and should be studied indepth by those claiming that its the word of god. They had full confidence that, as a prophet, joseph smith was in touch with god and powerfully brought those hearing him closer to christ. The testimony of three witnesses be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. 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. This chart is a photocopy of the first printed testimony of the. Russell, a member of the community of christ and professor of history of the lds movement at graceland university, strongly disagrees. 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 civilization plainly miss the point. Book of mormon the testimony of eight witnesses youtube. Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 1 mormons. The mission of byutv is to create purposeful, engaging viewing and listening experiences that entertain, inspire, uplift, and improve families and communities. Book of mormon 1830eight witnesses wikisource, the. They are from modern antimormon third hand sources. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses deseret book.

Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 1 mormons in. I find it interesting that the lord provided for two very different types of witness experiences with the three and eight witnesses. It may not be amiss in this place, to give a statement to the world concerning the work of the lord. Today chris and clay join me again for a roundtable discussion about the eleven witnesses to the book of mormon. Richard lloyd anderson, personal writings of the book of mormon witnesses, in book of mormon authorship revisited. Christian whitmer one of the eight witnesses to the book of mormon was the eldest son of peter whitmer, sen. To the inside front cover are affixed four clippings of descriptions of different versions of first edition copies of the book of mormon and of an 1854 edition of the doctrine and covenants, along with a clipping describing the origin of the text of the book of mormon and a bookplate of the shepard book company of salt lake city, utah. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses religious studies center.

From my experience, bigfoot and mary witnesses are similar. It uses biblical quotes to disprove the book of mormon and the nwt of the jws bible. 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. The eight witnesses of the book of mormon lds blogs. 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. After news of joseph and his gold bible spread through palmyra, new york, his. 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. These elements are what provide such strong support for the book of mormon witnesses, the 3 and the 8.

The witnesses of the book of mormon the millennial star. 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. Oct 22, 2014 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. Situated on what was once the farm of missourian michael arthur, is an impressive granite monument. The answer is problematic since so very little about the incident, other than the statement found in every bom, is known. They were all members of the whitmer or smith families. Monument of the 8 witnesses to the book of mormon, liberty, missouri. The statement of the 3 witnesses for the book of mormon. Photograph of the signatures of the eight witnesses to the book of mormon. Three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of god, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered. Here are some critics thoughts on that thanks to gary porter and craig criddle for these. Additional information on the individual witnesses and their statements are available in the maxwell institutes digital collection.

Dec 05, 2009 268 videos play all the book of mormon audio full michael dinkelman truth about joseph smiths beliefs on geography of the book of mormon duration. 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. Some even base their testimony of the truthfulness of the book of mormon on these 11 witnesses and their claims. William smith was born march, 1811, in royalton, vermont. Witnesses of the book of mormon church of jesus christ.

Some mormons will agree that all three witnesses denied the book of mormon but came back to deny their denial. It also said that three would be shown the plates by the power of god. Here it was that those 8 witnesses recorded in the book of mormon looked upon the plates and handled them of which they bear witness in the title page of the book of mormon. 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. Eight witnesses monument mormon historic sites foundation. The book of mormon prophesies that god would call special witnesses to testify to its truth. Book of mormon 1830eight witnesses wikisource, the free. Eight witnesses mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. Witnesses of the book of mormon flashcards quizlet. After the witnesses returned to the house the angel again made his appearance to joseph and.

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. After departing mormonism, he later declared, if you believe my testimony to the book of mormon. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. 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. The combined testimonies of the three and eight witnesses of the book of mormon provide powerful evidence of the restoration. The witness statements enhance the plausibility of joseph smith and the book he dictated. An earlier group of witnesses who said they had seen the plates were called the three witnesses. The eight witnesses were the second of the two groups of special witnesses to the book of mormons golden plates. The three and eight witnesses to 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. That affidavit is remarkable in its paucity of detail, as you know.

I have a testimony of what those close to joseph reported. 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. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies. Many times weve found that the majority of mormons dont know whats in their beloved canon and have no idea the bom doesnt contain major doctrines. Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book. An earlier group of witnesses who claimed to have seen the plates were called the three witnesses. Oxford university press, 2003, 4142, emphasis added. Get insight into the witnesses to the gold plates, the book of mormon s translation and printing, and the opposition to and reception of early saints because of it. John whitmer reaffirmed his testimony as printed in the book of mormon even after he left the church. What did the 3 witnesses testify about the book of mormon. Biographies in preston nibley witnesses of the book of mormon deseret book co. Book of mormon witnesses the encyclopedia of mormonism.

Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book of. 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. We can compare the witnesses for the book of mormon to the witnesses of manuscript found. The statement of the 3 witnesses for the book of mormon was a single statement signed by all three men. The american scripture that launched a new world religion new york. Richard lloyd anderson presents evidence from original sources on each of the eleven witnesses and concludes.