The testimony of the two witnesses book of mormon

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. Joseph smith only had three witnesses who claimed to see an angel. The solemn testimony of these three additional witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon from the beginning. 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. None of the eleven book of mormon witnesses ever signed their testimonies. 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. Why didnt the book of mormon witnesses sign their testimony. 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. In addition, it has been argued that smith and the witnesses had a similar magical worldview. Two men tackled him and he fought and knocked them both down and. I felt prompted to share my testimony of the book of mormon with you. 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. Book of mormon witnesses the encyclopedia of mormonism.

I think my mom would be proud to know that this point actually, ive read a lot of books. 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. 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. Testimonies of the book of mormon witnesses deseret book. As the director of the church history library, where we hold the churchs official archival. The record which the book of mormon was translated from included a group of three and eight witnesses respectively. Today, i will be grateful for the testimony of two nations represented by the bible and 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. Testimony and witnesses the truth about the book of mormon. In an article titled, facts on the book of mormon witnesses, author joel groat concludes. Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 2 mormons. Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book of. The book includes two blank front flyleaves and two blank back flyleaves other copies have three back flyleaves.

Mar 02, 2018 but, what never seems to go away for book of mormon critics are those pesky witnesses. Ten testimonies of jesus christ from the book of mormon. The three and eight witnesses to the book of mormon. While none of these men ever retracted their statement, critics nevertheless discount. Did the book of mormon witnesses contradict their testimony. The question of the book of mormon witnesses is extremely significant. We also talk about the testimony of the three witnesses. Two sets of official book of mormon witnesses mormonism.

Togather saints introduction and witnesses of the book. The witnesses repeatedly reaffirmed what they said in their book of mormon testimony, in detail. 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 sharing of testimony is confirmed in our hearts as the spirit bears witness of truth. This second quote also couldnt possibly apply, as it is from 1827, years after the book of mormon witness statement. 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. Who are the few who were permitted to see the plates. The book of mormon provided multiple official and unofficial witnesses who corroborated aspects of josephs account. Based on the body of available evidence we dont really know if the eleven book of mormon witnesses ever signed. 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. Gospel insights from general authorities and religious educators, provo, ut.

Harmon, made in about 1885, cited in vogel, emd, 2. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. 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. Martin harris made a significant financial contribution to the printing of the book of mormon. President smith was also privileged to handle a handwritten testimony of oliver cowdery, another of the three witnesses of the book of mormon.

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. The following commentary is regarding these testimonies. The three witnesses, unlike the eight witnesses, were shown the plates by. Prophets have always borne witness of the gospel of jesus christ as revealed to them by the power of the holy ghost. A few days later, the whitmer family traveled with joseph to his familys home in palmyra, new york.

The three witnesses of the book of mormon compilation retouching. 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. He was excommunicated from the church in 1838 and forced to leave the area. So right at the outset of the translation, the promise of book of mormon witnesses was given by revelation. The american scripture that launched a new world religion new york. Witnesses reaffirm the book of mormon the spectrum. 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. 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. For reasons that are not completely clear, smith and cowderys relationship soured.

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. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses book of mormon. All three witnesses eventually broke with smith and were excommunicated from the church. While the testimony of the eight witnesses emphasized the tangible reality of. The eight witnesses were the second of the two groups of. 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. In the opening pages of the book of mormon, two statements are printed, each signed by a set of witnesses. It is very interesting how the lord decided to have those special witnesses of his work of the last days. This is the first half of an old byu film depicting the story of the three witnesses of the book of mormon. 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. Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book.

Cowderys elevated status as second elder and witness to the book of mormon was eventually lost amid accusations of adultery and theft. The shakers, however, had a large number of witnesses who claimed they saw angels and the roll and book. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also 2 nephi 29. Faithpromoting material about the book of mormon witnesses like cowdery claims they.

The book of mormon holds a special place in my heart. 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. 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. He gave joseph like first witness, but one according to the scriptures is not enough so god provided three new witnesses. When the book of mormon came forth, the lord saw fit to provide many witnesses regarding its veracity. 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.

Mar 17, 2016 and when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also 2 nephi 29. Explaining away the book of mormon witnesses fairmormon. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses religious studies. This book was printed on thirtyseven sheets and folded into thirtyseven gatherings of eight leaves each, making a text block of 592 pages. Also, joseph later found that the book of mormon prophesies in two places of its modern witnesses. Book of mormon, 1830, page 590 the joseph smith papers. Two solemn declarations the testimony of three witnesses and the testimony of eight witnesses have been published with the book of mormon since 1830. Ces letter falsely attributes the second quote to martin harris. The bible prescribe at least two or three witnesses for everything. 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. Based on the body of available evidence we dont really know if the eleven book of mormon witnesses ever signed their testimony or not. Theyre distinctly different both in their tone and in what they describe. Why is there a need for the testimony of two nations.

The eight witnesses of the book of mormon lds blogs. An ongoing series of articles on some common and recurring weak arguments that christians make against mormonism. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 2003, 31642. Why are there two sets of official book of mormon witnesses. Their declaration of what happened is published in the book of mormon as the testimony of three witnesses. 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. 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 testimony of two nations is a witness of god, and that he remembers one nation like unto another. All the mormon witnesses are as worthless as they are unreliable who recanted their testimony. Two of the three witnesses who were excommunicated from the mormon church later returned to the church after denying their testimony. The testimony of two nations book of mormon study notes. Book of mormon witnesses all later denied its truthfulness. 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. Jan 27, 2017 the solemn testimony of these three additional witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon from the beginning.

The world was not left with joseph smiths testimony alone. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses book of mormon central. It is contradictory to say the two fake quotes from antimormon, thirdhand sources, are the only real testimonies. When joseph smith first obtained the gold plates, he was told to show them to no one. He declared that the book of mormon shall restore plain and precious things taken away from the bible scriptural witnesses, general conference, october 2007. 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. Book of mormon witnesses facts, controversies, and contradictions. This is in accordance with the divine law of witnesses. 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. The last printed leafbearing the signed statements of witnessesis not numbered. Critics have long tried to dismiss or destroy the witnesses witness.

David whitmers final testimony of the book of mormon. The three witnesses of the book of mormon, part 1 youtube. The book of mormon contains two sets of joint statements written by joseph smith for those who claimed to have seen the gold plates. All three men upheld their testimony of the book of mormon at their deaths. 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 a heavenly messenger, not joseph smith. The first edition of the book of mormon featured two testimonials. The testimonies of the three and eight witnesses were published in the first edition of the book of mormon and every edition since. Before cowdery served as one of the three witnesses, he had already experienced two other important visions. The three witnesses is the collective name for three men connected with the early latter day. In sharing these testimonies of the book of mormon, president smiths.

Three witnesses of the book of mormon department 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. After copying these two documents by hand, president smith read them in at least two public discourses. During 2014, lds members will be studying the latest manual published by their church, teachings of presidents of the church. But, what never seems to go away for book of mormon critics are those pesky 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. 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 three witnesses were closely associated with joseph smith, jr. 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. At the beginning of the book of mormon, as part of the introduction, are two. 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 589 the joseph smith papers. 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. They are from modern antimormon third hand sources. 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. The book of mormon has filled my heart with so much joy and light and hope. Were those fake quotes handwritten from the 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.