Polygamy creates problems in parts of africa as well. 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. Jul 08, 2011 this is a photomechanical reprint of the first edition 1830 of the book of mormon. It is, word for word, the original book of mormon, but divided by events rather than by chapters. Using the book of mormon to meet todays challenges religious. The book of mormon cannot, and does not replace the bible. Lesson 41 the testimony of three witnesses book of mormon. Special witnesses the book of mormon is the promised land. Many witnesses have testified of the truthfulness of the book ofmormon.
Explaining away the book of mormon witnesses fairmormon. The following video introduces the top 10 problems of the mormon church. Joseph fielding smith 20, 12738 chapter 9, teachings. Statements clearly traced to the witnesses verify the testimonies printed in the book of mormon. They also claim that the activities of the three witnesses while out of the church cast doubt upon the reliability of their earlier written. Investigating the book of mormon witnesses deseret book. Eyring teaches how the book of mormon is our guide to return home. I am teaching valiant 9 in our wards primary this year 2016 and we are studying primary manual 4. This is a photomechanical reprint of the first edition 1830 of the book of mormon. We, too, have made covenants with god to stand as his witnesses at all times and in all things, and in all places that you may be in.
In this carefully researched, thoughtprovoking book, dr. When we study the book of mormon, our understanding of the doctrines in the bible is clarified. Recent lds scholarship offers a cornucopia of reliable information on the witnesses and their integrity, readily overcoming the common allegations of the critics that their statements can be ignored or that they later denied what they gave witness to. 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. Haight emma smith harrison burgess john henry smith joseph f. Martin harris, oliver cowdery, and david whitmer bear solemn testimony of the miraculous experience that demonstrated to them the reality of gods involvement with this work. One of the things i have learned as a christian is how to read the bible and understand that it. The world was not left with joseph smiths testimony alone. Joseph and emma smith moved to harmony, pennsylvania, where joseph began translating the book of mormon in earnest. The depth of the concepts in the book of mormon are a constant source of inspiration, if we will but contemplate them. We also talk about the testimony of the three witnesses, three men who were allowed to see an angel and the physical gold. Title page, introduction, and testimonies of the three and eight witnesses skip to main content. 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 the introductory material to the book of mormon, we have access to the testimony of the three witnesses to the divinity of the book.
Its a long video at 1 hr and 21 min but its easy to watch yet provides just enough detail to introduce each of 10 serious problems in the lds church. There are no footnotes or chapter summaries, but it is much easier to see. Witnesses of the book of mormon it seems to me that any member of this church would never be satisfied until he or she had read the book of mormon time and time again and thoroughly considered. To help the children desire to be witnesses of the truthfulness of the book of mormon. Printable teaching helps for family home evening or primary 5 valiant lesson 9.
Smith lorenzo snow lucy mack smith mary whitmer oscar mcconkie william smith richard lloyd anderson analyzes the witnesses to. Jun 22, 20 20 book of mormon chapter 1 institute lesson by hgellor 1. The witnesses of the book of mormon nibley, preston on. Book of mormon prophets, namely mormon and moroni, testified that secret combinations brought down at least two ancient american civilizations. The book of mormon uses the term chariot many times and in many different time periods which shows that the bom peoples used the concept of the wheel. The witnesses to the book of mormon are blatantly not credible. The statement of the 3 witnesses for the book of mormon was a single statement signed by all three men. The eight witnesses of the book of mormon lds blogs. Introduction, testimonies, a brief explanation, and the. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. 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. We draw closer to the lord as we prayerfully study the book ofmormon. Israel will be gathered when the book of mormon comes forththe gentiles will be established as a free people in americathey will be saved if they believe and obey.
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. The book of mormon provided multiple official and unofficial witnesses who corroborated aspects of josephs account. By june 1829 martin harris, oliver cowdery, and david whitmer had verbalized a desire to be the special three witnesses alluded to in the book of mormon. Special witnesses the book of mormon is the promised land of.
For each lesson, weve listed articles from our journal and charts from charting the book of mormon for you to peruse. One of the best sources of current scholarship on the book of mormon and other lds topics is the new mormon interpreter, a site managed by daniel peterson. Critics have long tried to dismiss or destroy the witnesses witness. Book of mormon study questions mosiah middaymornings. In this first of two parts, dan examines the three book of mormon witnesses and does an indepth analysis of their testimony. Here 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 following. Martin harris shows signs of being an unstable person in terms of his religious convictions. Our lesson today is the testimony of three men that the prophecy of the coming forth and translation of the book of mormon had been fulfilled. An earlier group of witnesses who said they had seen the plates were called the three witnesses. This page links to subpages which discuss various attacks.
Their testimony is also given to the world and appears in each issue of the book of mormon. There are no footnotes or chapter summaries, but it is much easier to see who is speaking and when someone is being quoted. Book of mormon difficulties, contradictions and explanations. Oliver cowdery was one of the three witnesses of the book of mormon oliver was the second elder of the church. Below is the modern map of the area of smiths youth. One of the eight witnesses to the book of mormon was the fifth son of peter whitmer, sen. For a huge array of resources, talks, articles, videos, and so forth, go to or.
Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 1 mormons. The book of mormon is the keystone of our religion. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Of the 478 verses in the book of mormon quoted from the book of isaiah, 201 agree with the king james reading while 207 show variations. Questions about the witnesses to the reality of the. 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. Debunking the myth of elviss book of mormon keith a. May 07, 2018 two witnesses, witnessed by sally parker the vast body of scholarship on the witnesses to the book of mormon paints a consistent story of real people who really saw something and, in spite of whatever problems or differences with joseph smith or others they may have later faced, never denied the reality of their witness. Is the book of mormon inspired by god bible study guide. The very existence of the book of mormon is a testimony that god continues to communicate with his children. The book of mormon restores plain and precious truths that have been lost from the bible.
The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. Apparent problems in the book of mormon jeff lindsay. Prayerfully study the historical accounts given in this. The only bible that joseph smith relied on was the king james version. Martin harris lost 116 pages joseph smith had translated from the book of mormon. It is not, as mormon witnessed, the sorrow of the caught or the damned, who are. Critics of the book of mormon frequently claim that some of the book of mormon witnesses later doubted or denied their testimony of the book of mormon. They emphasized this point by quoting extensively from isaiah in their own sermons and writings. Isaiah passages listed by book of mormon reference, from charting the book of mormon. 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 claiming that joseph.
A discussion of the witnesses of the golden plates of the book of mormon and the implications of their testimony. Why were afraid of mormons bu today boston university. Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 1 mormons in. Aside from the lost 116 pages, was the book of mormon translated with the urim and thummim or strictly from peering into a hat and the words appearing from a seer stone. Two witnesses, witnessed by sally parker the vast body of scholarship on the witnesses to the book of mormon paints a consistent story of real people who really saw something and, in spite of whatever problems or differences with joseph smith or others they may have later faced, never denied the reality of their witness. The case against the 3 witnesses of the book of mormon. David whitmer interview with edward stevenson, 9 february 1888,in dan vogel, early mormon documents. To understand isaiahs teachings in the book of mormon, one should appreciate. It also contains biographical and historical information relating to the book of mormon. Book of mormon student study guide the church of jesus christ.
A response to jerald and sandra tanner matthew roper. Since we know this, it does not seem a coincidence that the church of jesus christ of latterday saints was. Erekson this story appeared in the marchapril 2020 issue of lds living. Jan 09, 2016 the very existence of the book of mormon is a testimony that god continues to communicate with his children. Witnesses of the book of mormon, teachings of presidents of the church. Jan 27, 2016 i am teaching valiant 9 in our wards primary this year 2016 and we are studying primary manual 4. Over the last three decades, word of the churchs acquisition of a book of mormon supposedly written in by elvis presley spread easily through fireside speakers, classroom teachers, and newspaper columnists. And the book of mormon witnesses have got their testimonies out there.
As a companion to the bible, the book of mormon is a witness of jesus christs divinity and his role as the savior of the world. We call them the three witnesses to the book of mormon. Dec 20, 2011 a discussion of the witnesses of the golden plates of the book of mormon and the implications of their testimony. Come follow me book of mormon introductory pages youtube. All three special witnesses became estranged and left the church. This is the first of several articles dealing with the problems in the book of mormon. Remember the new covenant, even the book of mormon, doctrine and covenants. Smith lorenzo snow lucy mack smith mary whitmer oscar mcconkie william smith richard lloyd anderson analyzes the witnesses to the book of mormon. The three are part of twelve book of mormon witnesses. This concept was explained long ago when a prophet wrote that the book of mormon was written for the intent that ye may believe the bible. Each week i make a handout for my kids to add to their ring to help them remember the lesson. The tanners assert that while none of the witnesses ever gave a written statement repudiating the book of mormon, some of them did seem to have seasons of skepticism about the authenticity of that work. Here are some critics thoughts on that thanks to gary porter and craig criddle for these.
The witnesses of the book of mormon by preston nibley. David whitmer, one of the book of mormon s three witnesses, said if you believe my testimony to the book of mormon. Several helpful lessons can be learned from the book of mormon. The book of mormon is supposed to be a history of real people living in a real place. The community of christ, formerly known as the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints, views the book of mormon as an additional witness of jesus christ and publishes two versions of the book through its official publishing arm, herald house. As the church has said, the manual has been prepared as the primary source of lesson material. Formal witneses the three witnesses the eleven witnesses informal witnesses david b. In this first of two parts, dan examines the three book of mormon witnesses and does an in. The witnesses of the book of mormon the millennial star. We can compare the witnesses for the book of mormon to the witnesses of manuscript found. And not one of the witnesses ever retracted or denied their testimony, including the men who later left mormonism. Book of mormon archives teaching children the gospel. Lesson 41 the testimony of three witnesses book of. Explain that because of heavenly fathers great love for us, he has given us a gift to help us achieve eternal life the kind of life heavenly father has friend february 2012 the book of mormon.
The three men chosen as witnesses of the book of mormon were oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris. The guys who did south park did book of mormon on broadway. 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. Sep 10, 2010 the witnesses of the book of mormon nibley, preston on. The rosenvall book of mormon has nice wide margins for taking notes and jotting down questions. Explain that because of heavenly fathers great love for us, he has given us a gift to help us achieve eternal life the kind of life heavenly father has. Richard lloyd anderson presents evidence from original sources on each of the eleven witnesses and concludes. Two witnesses, witnessed by sally parker mormanity.
Book of mormon lessons with an archive of 50 years of articles, byu studies is an excellent resource to assist you in your study of the book of mormon. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. Make sure you check back often to see other issues that we see as problematic for the mormon church. Oliver cowdery was one of the three witnesses of the book of mormonoliver was the second elder of the church. The witnesses of the book of mormon lds scripture teachings. Some 58 are paraphrased and 11 others are variants andor paraphrases. It tells of the jaredites, people from the tower of babel who came to central america but perished because of their own immorality. For the first 150 years of mormonisms existence, everyone thought it was a story about a people who left the middle east and came to south or central america, and who fought wars clear up into new york state where. Also see the vast body of scholarship in past and current publications at the maxwell institute. The book of mormon is supposed to be the account of people who came from the middleeast to the americas. The author, richard lloyd anderson, gives many historical details about the statements of such critics and the sources and background of their statements.
In fact, the book of mormon vigorously defends the importance and truthfulness of the bible. This is a printable package that will be available to you in this store account immedia. 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. Much has been said about the book of mormon since its first publication in the 1800s. And seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world alma 39. Martin harris took a transcript of some characters copied from the golden plates to scholars in new york city. In my personal experience, and as a member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints sometimes mistakenly called the mormon church, i have heard it described as everything from interesting, false, uplifting, or contrary to the bible.
While today many mormon apologists, and increasingly the lds church itself, have, on the basis of anthropological, archaeological, and genetic evidence, distanced themselves from the idea that the book of mormon details the history of native americans 7, it is clear that there wasand for many mormons, remainsa belief that native americans. When i was a member of the church i honestly never thought about checking up on the witnesses of the book of mormon. There, more abundantly than in any other volume, the lord opens the. The book of mormon as a witness this new volume of scripture was to be a witness, not only for christ and to contain the everlasting gospel, but was also to be a witness for the jewish scripturesthe bible. The book of mormon can strengthen our faith in jesus christ.
Prophets in the book of mormon, including the lord himself, repeatedly declared the importance of reading isaiahs prophecies. 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 book of mormon witnesses are a group of contemporaries of joseph smith who claimed to. I grew up believing that i belonged to the only true church on the face of the earth and even though there were teachings about the church i didnt agree with, it never occurred to me they didnt have physical proof for the book of mormon. From changing their stories to denying their faith to getting excommunicated and much more, join me in this video as we talk through. Get the full lesson witnesses of the book of mormon from the teachings of joseph fielding smith at. Title page, introduction, and testimonies of the three and eight witnesses. Lehi and his party obviously had knowledge of the wheel. In the 1830s, he preached the gospel from new york to the western border of the frontier. In particular, moroni wrote, and they meaning secret combinationscaused the destruction of the jaredites, and also the destruction of.
Help your children learn the story of the three and eight witnesses using these fun and engaging learning activities. Martin harris, oliver cowdery, and david whitmer bear solemn testimony of the miraculous experience that demonstrated to them the. He also appreciated their prophetic future to serve as a lasting witness, as he. I understand emma, martin harris, oliver cowdery all say the prophet did not. How can i believe the book of mormon when all the witnesses left the church. For details, see my book of mormon nugget page, lessons from the. Testify whenever the spirit prompts you to do so, not just at the end of each lesson. For example, critics of mormonism have shown convincing proof that the book of mormon is a synthesis of earlier works written by other men, of the vivid imaginings of joseph smith, and of plagiarisms from the king james bible.