Why did ever one of the surviving witnesses leave to another churuch by 1847, including some former mormons who also claimed to have unearthed separate records. This 4 minute video is a sensitive introduction to the book of mormon translation process. The book of mormon gives very specific details about its characters culture, religion, politics, flora and fauna, etc. The statement of the 3 witnesses for the book of mormon was a single statement signed by all three men.
Explaining away the book of mormon witnesses fairmormon. 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. Mormon 16 the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Did the book of mormon witnesses really see what they. Three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of god, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered. Moroni showed the golden plates to the three witnesses. That we, through the grace of god the father, and our lord jesus christ, have seen the plates which contain this.
Share your testimony that the book of mormon is a witness that jesus is the christ, the savior of all mankind. Three witnesses mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. The first edition of the book of mormon featured two testimonials. 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 testimony of three witnesses be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. Book of mormon central has released a new video in their series evidences of the book of mormon. As well as the illustrations in the missionary edition of the book of mormon itself. The famous 1967 bigfoot video referred to as the patterson video was believed by. 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. What role does the law of witnesses play in book of mormon geography. The book of mormon video materials consist of a dvd or two videocassettes and this guide.
For nearly 200 years, skeptics and critics have been trying to explain away what many book of mormon witnesses statedthat they had seen angels and hefted golden metal plates containing ancient inscriptions. Suggest that the students watch for illustrations of the book of mormons influence in our day. This is a powerful, informative and spiritual presentation of the realities and purpose of the book of mormon. Three witnesses of the book of mormon department of. The book of mormon people speakwrite hebrew and some form of egyptian. Faithpromoting material about the book of mormon witnesses like cowdery claims they enjoyed. The three and eight witnesses to the book of mormon. This is a faithpromoting presentation of the reality of the book of.
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. Cowderys elevated status as second elder and witness to the book of mormon was eventually lost amid accusations of adultery and theft. The issue here is that its a fact william smith never saw the plates. Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book of. The three are part of twelve book of mormon witnesses, who also include smith and the eight witnesses.
Unless otherwise indicated, individuals may post material from the gospel media portion of this site to another website or on a computer network. The book of mormon is a second witness to the bible that jesus christ is the savior and redeemer and that he will judge all of heavenly fathers children. The three witnesses were closely associated with joseph smith, jr. Below is a link to quotes from william smith jss younger brother the critics often use to claim that the book of mormon witnesses only saw the plates through a frock. 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. In addition, it has been argued that smith and the witnesses had a similar magical worldview. The three witnesses monument photo courtesy steve mortensen. Check out these video resources for the 2020 youth curriculum. Brother scott and the book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation session 3 if you would like more interactive discussion, then please see our facebook discussion page. Book of mormon video presentations mormon literature. The video features students from around the world describing the influence the book of mormon is having on their lives.
Why were the 8 witnesses all from families of founding members and financial beneficiaries of the churches. 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. The three witnesses is the collective name for three men connected with the early latter day. 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.
What we have learned about the book of mormon text. Dec 05, 2009 book of mormon the testimony of three witnesses awitness4jesuschrist michael corbett. Brother scott is holding these events every thursday from may 11jun 1 from. Some of the major events in the coming forth of the book. Brother scotts book of mormon witness presentation. We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible. Learn of the newly proposed method for conducting book of mormon geography research. We talk at length about our assumptions that the three witnesses has a spiritual event, that the eight witnesses had a physical event, whether their experience was consistent, and how the institutional church may have. If you are interested in having access to the slides used to create my teaching with power videos in your own lessons, they are available for a small purchase by clicking the above link. 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 illustrations 1 nephi 2 nephi jacob enos jarom omni words of mormon mosiah alma helaman 3 nephi 4 nephi mormon ether moroni pronunciation guide. 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. What other witnesses do we have that the book of mormon is true. Today chris and clay join me again for a roundtable discussion about the eleven witnesses to the book of mormon.
Watch the video or read a summary of the points below. The three men chosen as witnesses of the book of mormon were oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris. The work of the translation was proceeding nicely in harmony, pennsylvania for quite a while. Brother scotts book of mormon witness presentation moroni. These eight were christian whitmer, jacob whitmer, peter whitmer, jr. Brother scott and the book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation session 1 if you would like more interactive discussion, then please see our facebook discussion page.
Witnesses film an interpreter foundation production. Part of the vhs collection called a voice from the dust, this production of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is from 1982. Oliver cowdery, martin harris, and david whitmer were appointed to be three special witnesses of the book of mormon in june 1829. The book, first published in 1842 and then canonized as scripture in 1880, is the subject of the latest now you know video from the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Ancient documents often needed the signatures of witnesses in order to be considered authentic or legally binding. The dvd or two videocassettes contain presentations designed to help you teach the book of mormon. Lds videos largest collection of official mormon videos online. The three witnesses of the book of mormon compilation retouching and. Daniel peterson gave an illuminating presentation that among other things summarized the history of women serving as formal witnesses. If you would like more interactive discussion, then please see our facebook discussion page. If you love the book of mormon, consider donating to book of mormon central and becoming part of this exciting movement.
The case against the 3 witnesses of the book of mormon. Book of mormonwitnessessignatures on their testimonies. If you are using the video presentation for our day, show it now. 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 three witnesses, unlike the eight witnesses, were shown the plates by a heavenly messenger, not joseph smith. You cannot tell the truth and get away with it leah remini. He was excommunicated from the church in 1838 and forced to leave the area. 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. Restoration of the priesthood and witnesses of the book of mormon.
I served as bishop of a ysa ward a few years ago and learned the ysa age group is growing up in a very fastpaced internet age world where everything is at the. The original and printers manuscript book of mormon lecture, 1 of 3 february 26, 20 in early 20, our laura f. Book of mormon witnesses facts, controversies, and contradictions. This video focuses on providing evidence the gold plates actually existed. A passage in the book of mormon similarly indicated that the testimony of the witnesses and the book of mormon would come forth at the same time. The book of mormon the book of mormon claims to be a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment james 3. The ad in the draper paper said, over the last 3040 years many discoveries have given great support to the book of mormon you will learn of the many spiritual and temporal witnesses between the book of mormon and precolumbian history information from lds and nonlds scholars bring your friends, family, neighbors. A zombies reflections on that mormon apologists reflections. As the director of the church history library, where we hold the churchs official archival. A faith promoting presentation of many correlations between the book of mormon and mesoamerican history. By providing the testimonies of witnesses and including them at the end of the book of mormon, joseph smith was following not only the ancient pattern called for by nephi, but also the guidance and inspiration of the lord. The book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation lidar technology now lets us look underneath the canopy of the jungle.
The evidence left by the book of mormon witnesses is rich, varied, and uneven, including the following. Introduction to the book of mormon and testimonies of the three and eight witnesses draw on the board a picture of an arch see the accompanying illustration, or make a model of an arch from wood or other materials. The author, richard lloyd anderson, gives many historical details about the statements of such critics and the sources and background of their statements. Released in its current form in 1994 and 95, this twocassette ces video contains the following titles. 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 witnesses were also told in a revelation that they should testify that ye have seen them even as my servant joseph smith jr. Continues the discussion about the purposes of the book of mormon and paradigm changes.
The question of the book of mormon witnesses is extremely significant. The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him proverbs 18. Martin harris made a significant financial contribution to the printing of the book of mormon. 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. The following is their testimony that can be found in the first pages of the book of mormon. They have been prepared by the church educational system for use in the book of mormon seminary course. Church of scientologys retaliation has been insanity church news.
To their dying days, these witnesses defended their testimonies even in the face of cruel mobs, the ridicule of society, and betrayal by. Bofm witnesses presentation by brother kelly scott provides a spiritual and temporal witness of the reality of the book of mormon. Accounts by these individuals are recorded in the introduction of the book of mormon as the testimony of the three witnesses and the testimony of the eight. Jan 27, 2017 the solemn testimony of the three witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon since 1830.
You may wish to share the following quotations with your class. It is recorded in the american cyclopedia and the encyclopedia britannica, that i, david whitmer, have denied my testimony as one of the three witnesses to the divinity of the book of mormon. Dec 03, 2018 this presentation includes powerful information cited from lds and nonlds experts, scholars, archaeologists, and prophets. The testimony of the eight witnesses gospel doctrine. 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 testimonies of the three and eight witnesses were published in the first edition of the book of mormon and every edition since.
The second video is now available oct 2014 that focuses on the eight witnesses. 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. May 08, 2017 yesterday a friend gave me a cutout from the newspaper. Willes center for book of mormon studies sponsored three lectures by royal skousen called 25 years of research. Book of mormon the testimony of three witnesses youtube. Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 2 mormons in. The transcript of daniel petersons 2019 fairmormon conference presentation is now available by jeffrey thayne. All right, if you go back to the first reaction to the witnesses of the book of mormon in the palmyra reflector, ridicule is pretty standard. National geographic says it has turned everything we know on its head, there are over 60,000 new cement structures that they didnt know about before tons of defensive fortifications and roads everywhere. The three special witnesses saw the angel moroni and the plates. Here is a collection of videos available on the internet that we especially liked or found interesting.
There are only two of the witnesses to that book now living, to wit. And in 2019, daniel peterson spoke about the little known women who were also witnesses of the book of mormon as part of his presentation on idle tales. Book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation. Brother scott and the book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation session 1. This remarkable statement was in fulfillment of prophecy in the book of mormon itself, given by nephi, the son of lehi. They worship the old testament god, follow the law of moses, and even preach and worship christ both before and after his ministry.
The three witnesses of the book of mormon, part 1 youtube. The solemn testimony of these three additional witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon from the beginning. The combined testimonies of the three and eight witnesses of the book of mormon provide powerful evidence of the restoration. The three witnesses of the book of mormon were oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris.
The eight saw the plates 12 days after the 3 witnesses saw the angel and objects. This is the first half of an old byu film depicting the story of the three witnesses of the book of mormon. 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. Statements from joseph smith and brigham young in the early history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints about where parts of the book of mormon. Jul 11, 2011 for reasons that are not completely clear, smith and cowderys relationship soured. Elvis presleys copy of the book of mormon aint nothin but a forgery, church history experts say. A list of the exmormon foundation video presentations for 2008 and 2009 are available at their website. Both the bible and the book of mormon declare themselves to be ancient, historical, and reliable rules of faiththe very word of god. We are a nonprofit organization supported by people like you. Bofm witnesses presentation provides a spiritual and temporal witness of the realities of the book of mormon.
Here are some critics thoughts on that thanks to gary porter and craig criddle for these. Of the eight witnesses, irr notes, all eight had close personal ties to joseph smiths familyfour were david whitmers brothers, a fifth was married to a whitmer sister, and josephs father and two brothers made up the remaining three. 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. Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available. The book of mormon contains two sets of joint statements written by joseph smith for those who claimed to have seen the gold plates. The video also examines the testimony of the eight witnesses. I blogged about this already here, complete with illustrations.
The witnesses to the book of mormon are blatantly not credible. 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. That is because he wasnt one of the 3 or 8 witnesses. The case against the 3 witnesses of the book of mormon duration. A new look at how the 3 witnesses leaving the church actually supports the existence of the gold plates.
Watch the most recent episode of the book of mormon videos. Edward stevenson, the thirteenth witness to the plates of the book of mormon, ms 55 1893. Lds videos largest collection of official mormon videos. The book of mormon provided multiple official and unofficial witnesses who corroborated aspects of josephs account. Yesterday a friend gave me a cutout from the newspaper. Salt lake county is now minority mormon, and the impacts are far reaching. From changing their stories to denying their faith to getting excommunicated and much more, j. Presentations to be used in ces programs during study of the book of mormon.
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