We build enduring faith in Jesus Christ by making the Book of Mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to the entire world. I handled them;’ and he described how they were hung [on rings], and [said] ‘they were shown to me by a supernatural power;’ he acknowledged all.[9]. The difference between skeptics and Mormons when it comes to testimonies is skeptics often cherry-pick to back up their pre-conceived conclusion, while Mormons get both sides of the issue and seek a personal witness to know if something is true, by a manifestation of the Holy Ghost. Hiram Page claimed to receive revelations for the Church through the medium of a special stone, and some Church members, including Oliver Cowdery, believed him. Question: Did Samuel Smith, one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, ever deny having seen the plates? He-No. Required fields are marked *, “It having been represented by one John Murphy of Polo Mo. Collected information is only used for internal reporting and is not shared with anyone. The Three Witnesses were a group of three early leaders of the Latter Day Saint movement who wrote in a statement of 1829 that an angel had shown them the golden plates from which Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon and that they had heard God's voice testifying that the book had been translated by the power of God. For concerns and questions please contact. “witnessed in 1830… obviously because that’s when this book is published… in Joseph Smith’s living room.” Is that how a “real” testimony is supposed to read? Question: Did Christian and Peter Whitmer, two of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, ever deny having seen the plates? The witnesses repeatedly reaffirmed what they said in their Book of Mormon testimony, in detail. FairMormon™ is controlled and operated by the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR), "A thousand things may be conjectured, but when a man declares openly, candidly, and seriously, of what he has seen, hefted and handled with his own hands, and taht in the presence of a God who sees and knows the secrets of the heart, no man possessed of common reason and common sense, can doubt, or will be so vain as to dispute. Witnesses Are Important – At first, I was confused why CES Letter devoted so much space to the Book of Mormon witnesses. Why should scripture witness and testimony be legally binding? As was true for the Testimony of Three Witnesses, these names were included at the end of the Book of Mormon to place this seal of testimony upon the published record. Related Content previous next. So, the apostate Whitmer insists that he physically handled the plates, and attests to having seen fine engraving "on both sides." I now call upon you, John Whitmer: you say Corrill is a moral and a good man; do you believe him when he says the Book of Mormon is true, or when he says it is not true? … I–Did you handle the plates with your hands? . (CES Letter). I have never heard him deny the truth of his testimony of the Book of Mormon under any circumstances whatever. Get the latest updates on Book of Mormon topics and research for free. Downloads Male Voice (MP3) Female Voice (MP3) Entire Book (PDF) Text Settings. They all consistently reaffirmed the testimony and never contradicted it. The Lord used this incident as a way to teach Oliver the proper order of revelation in the Church, Lucy Mack Smith: "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", William Owen (skeptical account): "Ten persons say they have seen them and hefted them, three declare that an angel of God appeared to them and showed them to them", Many of the quotes collected here are found in Richard Lloyd Anderson, ". And it will bring to pass the designs of God according to the declaration therein contained. You see, back before electronic printers, digital cameras, and scanning technology, there was a thing called a printing press. Oliver was actually directed by the Lord to correct Hiram Page in this matter. I don’t get it. The Declaration of Independence was a letter, and it was indeed a legally binding document, that’s true. Analytics may collect information about your visit to this website, including how many times you clicked on a link and search terms used to arrive at this website, but collected information does NOT include names, addresses, or other such personal information. Night. The separation of church and state is in place to protect our religious freedoms. Sepia. CES Letter‘s two fake quotes are not “the ‘only’ real testimonies” from the witnesses. David Whitmer Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. But a book of scripture was not. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. Letter to John Kempton, 26 August 1838, Family History Library, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, microfilm no. The critics attempt to argue that the witnesses only 'saw' the plates in a spiritual state, and then were allowed to heft a covered box. Obviously, the Book of Mormon witnesses consented to the witness statement and agreed with it. The pieces of paper showed whatever the printer set into the type face. Neither do I believe that he would have denied, at the peril of his life; so firm was he that he could not be made to deny what he has affirmed to be a divine revelation from God. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, … The critics' attempt to argue that the witnesses only 'saw' the plates in a spiritual state, and then were allowed to heft a covered box. Joseph Fielding, "Letter to Parley P. Pratt,", "Mr. J. [30], To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here. Missed the FairMormon 2020 Conference? Martin Harris Question: How do critics of the Church attempt to dismiss the experience of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon? Sepia. Donate to us by shopping at Amazon at no extra cost to you. “The closest thing we have in existence to an original document of the testimonies of the witnesses is a printer’s manuscript written by Oliver Cowdery. (CES Letter). Print. "Theodore Turley's Memorandums," Church Archives, handwriting of Thomas Bullock, who began clerking in late 1843; cited in Dan Vogel (editor), Myron H. Bond to Editors, 2 August 1878 in, Daniel C. Peterson, "Not Joseph's, and Not Modern," in, Letter of Hiram Page to William E. McLellin (30 May 1847), Ray County, Mo. 2 hours ago, JAHS said: President George Albert Smith said: Our people have been taught to take the sacrament with the right hand; we believe that is appropriate, and proper, and acceptable to our Father. It is also possible that Whitmer was insisting that Joseph Smith could not have showed him the plates without divine aid; this perspective is not present in any of his other statements, however. Hyrum Smith "felt a determination to die, rather than deny the things which my eyes had seen". William Smith, "Notes Written on 'Chambers' Life of Joseph Smith,'" 15; transcribed by Richard L. Anderson. It was a "teaching moment" for Oliver: 11 And again, thou shalt take thy brother, Hiram Page, between him and thee alone, and tell him that those things which he hath written from that stone are not of me and that Satan deceiveth him; 12 For, behold, these things have not been appointed unto him, neither shall anything be appointed unto any of this church contrary to the church covenants. It was invented in 1468 by Johannes Gutenberg, and printers used it to make books.

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