Translated by Marco Royo with the kind permission of Jeff Lindsay http://www.jefflindsay.com/ your personal page.
This entry is translated http://www.jefflindsay.com/bme12.shtml. For Latter-day Saints who speak English and know no English.
In The Prophetic Book of Mormon: New Approaches to Book of Mormon Study, Hugh Nibley makes an excellent point about the indirect and circumstantial evidence for the authenticity of the Book of Mormon (p. 71):
Circumstantial evidence
. Quite apart from the contents of the Book of Mormon and the external evidence that may support, under certain circumstances relating to their production can not be explained on other grounds than those given by Joseph Smith. Can be listed briefly:
1. There is the testimony of witnesses.
2. The youth and inexperience of Joseph Smith when he took full responsibility for the publication of the book - Test (a) that could not have produced by itself and (b) that he was not acting for someone else, because their behavior was Always a surprising independence.
3. The absence of notes and sources.
4. The short time production.
5. The fact that there is only one version of the book published (with minor changes in each edition). This is the most significant. It is now known that the Koran, the only book that claims the same degree of certainty and divine inspiration, was reissued at least three times during the lifetime of Muhammad. Which brings us to:
6. Unquestionable and immutable position of Joseph Smith concerning her revelations, a position that Eduard Meyer surprised more than anything else [1]. From the time they came out the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith never ceased to take abroad, and never changed his attitude towards it. What creative writer does not ashamed of the production of such youth and inexperience after twenty years? What impostor awake nights in a row would not be worrying about the missteps and mistakes of this massive and pretentious product of youthful indiscretion and mischief? But since the prophet received revelations continued, nothing would have been easier had the slightest doubt that publishing a new edition, revised and improved, or completely rename the book, limit their movement, saying that was the only mysteries reach of the uninitiated, that should only be interpreted in a sense "religious" or replaced by something else. Los Santos who believed the Prophet, were the only ones taking the book seriously in any way.
7. There has never been a whiff of mystery around the Book of Mormon has been no secrecy related to the time of publication or at present, there is a complete lack of sophistry or policy analysis of the Book of Mormon plays no role in history of the Church as a puppet, never no dispute about its nature or content between the leaders of the Church is never manipulation, explanations or commitments. The book has enjoyed unlimited sales at all times.
8. Finally, although the book's success is no proof of his divinity, the type of person who has asked to read - honest, simple, straightforward, very balanced, and nothing mystical - is evidence of his honesty circunstantial. It has some very strong supporters.
Citations:
1. Eduard Meyer, Ursprung und Geschichte der Mormons (Halle: Niemeyer, 1912), 59-83, esp. 72, 80-83, also published as The Origin and History of the Mormons, tr. H. Rahd and E. Seaich (Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1961), 37-56.
From these points, let us note first the existence of witnesses. If the Book of Mormon was a fraud, Joseph Smith certainly would have kept secret. But gathered around him and many people who saw the plates ojearon and remained loyal to that testimony until the end of their lives, although many were unhappy with Joseph Smith because they suffered great persecution for their testimony. Or made money, and got power but nevertheless never denied his testimony. Consider Martin Harris, described as an honest and respectable even by anti-Mormons who knew him. He was a man of integrity in their community, a respected and successful man who sacrificed much to help advance the Book of Mormon. But would later disagree with the rules of the Church and was excommunicated in 1837. Despite this expressed repeatedly his testimony of the Book of Mormon, which had seen an angel, had played and browsed the boards and knew it was divine. His testimony was confirmed even in his deathbed.
Three witnesses saw an angel and the plates, eight others and witnessed the formal ojearon it and another handful, including Emma, \u200b\u200bJoseph's wife, witnessed the physical reality of the gold plates and the divinity of the Book of Mormon. None of the witnesses denied the authenticity and divinity of that book. What crazy trickster allow others to know of his fraud, which could be accomplices to kill them all and keep repeating the lie - even after the ill and bitter with the power lie? What would fraudster the luxury of forcing his fellow conspirators, when the end everyone would have to admit that everyone suspected was fraud and provide a gentle revenge to those who were drawn to them?
simply makes no sense that the Book of Mormon was a fraud. Stop in little of the language of the King James version or other details, but what can explain away the most basic element described here: the reality and divinity of an ancient record has multiple credible witnesses who insisted that the Book of Mormon was True to the end of their lives. How can such evidence be ignored?
The witnesses were not disreputable rascals in their communities, but were respected people who risked and lost much of its support to the Book of Mormon. Consider the testimony of many non-Mormon concerning Martin Harris, as documented by Milton V. Backman Jr., Eyewitness Accounts of the Restoration (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1983), pag. 144-145:
After becoming close friends or acquaintances of several witnesses to the Book of Mormon, many non-Mormon witnesses also testified that they knew they were men of integrity. No individual who had only a slight dealings with these men wrote that they were dishonest, fake sincerity or incompetent judges of events. Instead of denouncing his character, many critics of the Church who knew the witnesses stated that they were trustworthy individuals. In 1830, for example, Martin Harris traveled to Geneva, New York, in an attempt to secure a loan of $ 13,000 to Charles Butler, financier and philanthropist who founded the Union Theological Seminary. Butler wrote that Harris brought a letter from Mr. Jessup (probably Henry Jessup), prominent leader of the Presbyterian Church. Butler depended Jessup recommendations regarding the character and financial status of those seeking loans in the Palmyra area. According to Butler, Jessup presented to Martin Harris as a "farmer worthy and important, who owned a farm that had a very good security for very large sum of money that he was seeking. "Although Butler favorably impressed Harris credentials, financial decided not to grant the loan when he learned that the money would go to the publication of the "Mormon Bible. [1] Henry Jessup
addition, others who lived in Palmyra felt that Martin Harris was honest and responsible. In 1829, the Palmyra Freeman reported that one of the few individuals who believed in the story of the "Golden Bible" was Martin Harris, "honest and industrious farmer" of Palmyra. [2] While traveling in western New York in 1831, James Gordon Bennett, reporter for the New York Courier and Enquirer knew who interviewed him that Martin Harris had a reputation as "respectable farmer... A hard worker... Important" and was known for his "restraint." [3] When Martin Harris left Palmyra to meet with Latter-day Saints in Ohio, the Wayne Sentinel reported that Harris was one of the first settlers of that town and has always held the status of honorable and honest citizen. " [4] And after publishing the testimony of three witnesses in his history of Mormonism, Pomeroy Tucker wrote: "How to reconcile the fact that Harris signed his name to that statement, given the nature of honesty that has always been granted, is something not easily explained. "[5]
references cited by Backman:
Party is typed at the Charles Butler Collection, Library of Congress.
Golden Bible, "Rochester Advertiser and Telegraph, August 31, 1829, reprint of an article published in the Palmyra Freeman.
Leonard J. Arrington," James Gordon Bennett's 1831 Report on 'The Mormonites, "BYU Studies 10 (Spring 1970): 355 , 358 Hillsborough Gazette (Ohio), October 29, 1831.
Wayne Sentinel, May 27, 1831.
Tucker, Origin, Rise and Progress of Mormonism, pp. 69-71. For more references that Harris was "considered an honest citizen, industrious and their neighbors" see ED Howe, Mormonism unvailable, p. 13 Palmyra Courier, May 24, 1872.
Richard Lloyd Anderson in Investigating the Book of Mormon Witnesses (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1981, pp. 101-103) analliza also the testimony of non-Mormons about Martin Harris:
The most unusual tribute to this Witness the Book of Mormon comes from an obituary written thirty-four years before his death. Probably because of activities of another Harris, the report spread by all U.S. newspapers in 1841, saying that Martin Harris was murdered in Illinois for speaking out against Mormonism. This was quickly corrected the Painesville Telegraph, which reported from Harris's residence in Ohio he was still alive to read "what is said of him after death." Meanwhile Alvah Strong in Rochester was based on the history of national movement of the murderer and had written a detailed estimate of their close knowledge. Strong, a distinguished editor and respected community leader in Rochester, had previously worked as a young printer in Palmyra immediately after the publication of the Book of Mormon and the heyday of the public preaching of Martin Harris in that community. Based on this and other personal knowledge, summarized admiration for this witness and prejudice against his testimony that characterized the community who knew him:
"We reminded the Lord Harris as an honest man. We became familiar with him in Palmyra, in the spring of 1828, shortly after plates were found which said they had translated the Book of Mormon.... Although illiterate and superstitious attitude had long maintained an irreproachable character for probity.... Their neighbors and fellow citizens with whom he worked incessantly and very seriously, remembered him as being more gullible than willing to deliberately deceive others, but still exposed him to many taunts and reprimands, which the bore with meekness that would make a better cause. "[Rochester Daily Democrat, June 23, 1841.]
Their exodus of Palmyra led a moving tribute before the public by EB Grandin, editor of the Wayne Sentinel in years crucial between 1827 and 1832 and printer of the Book of Mormon. Grandin Harris knew perhaps more intimately than any other non-Mormon.'s diary reveals Grandin Harris as a thoughtful man and religiously independent. The editor's farewell painted Martin Harris for Ohio with other Latter-day Saints in 1831. It's impressive that the direct approval of the financial integrity of the Book of Mormon comes the man with whom he had ongoing business relationships. Martin Harris passed this practical test distinction:
"Lord Harris is among the first inhabitants of this city, and has always carried the character of an honest man and honest and willing and benevolent neighbor. It has gained a respectable fortune to work honest and has left a large circle of relatives and friends. " [Wayne Sentinel, May 27, 1831.]
Orasmus Turner, who had been apprenticed to a printer in Palmyra, wrote negatively of Mormonism in 1852, Harris painting as a fanatic, however, was "a good farm owner and a decent and honorable citizen "(O. Turner, History of the Pioneer Settlement of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase (Rochester, 1852), p. 215, quoted by RL Anderson, "Martin Harris: The Honorable New York Farmer," Improvement Era, Vol 72, No. 2 (Feb. 1969), pp. 18-21). Testimonials
like people from outside the Church offered to the character of Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer (citing Backman, pp. 146-148):
After leaving the Church in 1838, Oliver Cowdery established warm friendships with a number of non-members. Samuel Murdock, a lawyer who became "close associates" of Cowdery while living in Kirtland, wrote that he was indebted to him for his "special kindness" and " many lessons of instruction "he received from him. Murdock concluded that Oliver Cowdery was one of the individuals more" kind, generous and big heart "he had ever known. [1] Judge William Lang, a partner at law firm of Oliver Cowdery in Tiffin, Ohio, wrote that he hoped many opportunities "to study and love his noble and true humanity." According to Lang, Cowdery was "an able lawyer and a champion. . . . Was modest and reserved, never spoke ill of anyone, [and] never complained. "[2] Shortly after Oliver Cowdery moved to Tiffin, Seneca Advertiser reported that Cowdery was nominated as the Democratic candidate for the camera Representatives in Wisconsin. During his seven years of residence in Tiffin, the article continued,
our dear friend. . . earned an enviable distinction in this place and its judicial circuit as a solid and capable lawyer and as a highly esteemed citizen. His honesty, integrity and hard work were worthy of imitation for all, while its unquestionable capabilities reflecting credit both to himself and to the profession of being a member. [3]
Upon learning of the death of Oliver Cowdery, The Ray County Missouri Bar Association formally declared that "the law had lost a compliant member and the community to a worthy and valuable citizen." [4] And the Seneca Advertiser said "were sorry to know... Of death... (His) very dear friend and close formal citizen, Oliver Cowdery.... He was a man of great ability, and during his residence between us has earned the affection of all who knew him in the dealings of private and social life. " [5]
also not members of the Church certified that John and David Whitmer were "truthful, honest and law abiding citizens." After living in Richmond, Missouri, for 43 years, David Whitmer obtained the signatures of 22 prominent citizens of that city, including the mayor, lawyers, judges, bankers, merchants and officials who checked that "the treaty had long and intimately" and knew that "he was a man of great integrity and of undoubted truth and veracity." [6] A few days after his death, the Richmond Democrat ran an article apparently expressing the views of many friends of David Whitmer regarding his character and testimony of the Book of Mormon.
No man here who has been among our people hubierra more friends and few enemies. Honest, conscientious and honest in all dealings, fair in the trial of his peers, and open, manly and frank in their dealings, he made lasting friends who loved him to the end. . .
Sceptics may mock and scoff if want, but no man can hear Mr. Whitmer when he talks about his interview with the angel of the Lord, without being conavencido force that had come to an honest man say what he honestly believes is the truth. [7]
Because they have been preserved over a hundred personal statements or descriptions of interviews with three witnesses (and there is a further testimony of eight other witnesses), the testimony of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon is the best documented that any claim of direct revelation from the world's history. [8] The surprising harmony of reports from different times and circumstances, along with numerous references As for the character witnesses portrayed as men of integrity, is conclusive evidence of the veracity of the testimony published in the Book of Mormon. These numerous statements and interviews also serve as evidence that the bitter persecution, economic evidence, public criticism and apostasy of the Church of eleven witnesses never turned their conviction that carefully examined the metal plates, and the Book of Mormon was a product of the translation of that record. Even when six of the eleven leaders rejected Joseph Smith in the late 1830's, none of them denied any belief in the authenticity of the Book of Mormon. The public testimony from eleven witnesses enables us to better understand the unique event in the ecclesiastical history of humanity and giving support to the testimony of Joseph Smith that eleven men examined in fact the ancient record translated "by the gift and power of God. "
references cited by Backman: Samuel Murdock
the Editor of Dubuque Daily Times, April 13, 1893, quoted in R. Etzenhouser, From Palmyra, New York, 1830, to Independence, Missouri, 1894 (Independence, Mo.: Ensign Publishing House, 1894), pp. 338-41.
W. Lang, History of Seneca County (Springfield, Ohio: Transcript Printing Co., 1880), pp. 364-65.
The Seneca Advertiser (Tiffin, Ohio) May 5, 1848, p. 2.
Circuit Court Journal, Ray County, Missouri, March 5, 1850. For more references of the character of Oliver Cowdery and his activities after he left the church, see Richard L. Anderson, Investigating the Book of Mormon Witnesses (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1981), pp. 38-44.
The Seneca Advertiser (Tiffin, Ohio), November 1, 1850, p. 2.
Anderson, Investigating the Book of Mormon Witnesses, pp. 72-76, 131-33. The statement regarding the character of David Whitmer signed by twenty prominent men of Richmond, Missouri, was published in the Richmond Conservator, March 25, 1881, and in a pamphlet written by David Whitmer, Address to All Believers in Christ, pp. 9-10. It retains a copy of the document in the files of the Church and Ebbie LV Richardson, "David Whitmer: A Witness to the Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon" (Master's thesis, Brigham Young University, 1952.) See also Appendix F Backman.
Richmond Democrat, January 26, 1888, and reprinted February 2, 1888, in the same newspaper. See also Richmond Conservator, January 26, 1888. The Conservator Richmond reported that David Whitmer had lived in Richmond for 46 years "without spot or blemish." Enjoyed the "confidence and esteem of his neighbors," added the report, and was considered "a good citizen." (Richmond Conservator, August 22, 1881.)
Anderson, Investigating the Book of Mormon Witnesses, p. 79.
Shortly before the death of Whitmer, the Chicago Tribune Correspondent published about him:
David Whitmer, the last of the three who testified to the truth of the Book of Mormon, is dying at his home in Richmond. Last night he called his family and friends at his bedside, and shared the testimony of the truth of the Book of Mormon and the Bible. (Chicago Tribune Correspondent, 23 January 1888, quoted in Lyndon W. Cook, David Whitmer Interviews: A Restoration Witness (Grandin Book Co., 1993), p. 220, cited in Ash Mike page "Book of Mormon Criticisms: David Whitmer. ")
After his death another newspaper, the Richmond Conservator, brought this report:
The Sunday night before his death he called his family and his physician Dr. George W. Buchanan the head of your bed and said, "Doctor, do you think I'm in my right mind?" to which the doctor replied: "Yes, it is in their right mind, I just had a conversation with you." Then he went to all those present and said: "I give my last testimony. Must be faithful in Christ. I want to say that the Bible and the record of the Nephites (Book of Mormon) are true, so they can say they have heard me proclaim my testimony in the death bed ...."
On Monday morning again called those who were present at the bedside, and said he had seen another vision that reconfirmed the divinity of the Book of Mormon , "and said he had seen Christ in the fullness of His glory and majesty, seated on his white throne in heaven, waiting for their children. (Richmond Conservator Report, 26 January 1888, quoted n Cook, p. 226 as quoted on the website of Mike Ash "Book of Mormon Criticisms: David Whitmer, see also Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, 4 vols, Salt Lake City, p. 269.)
impressive
For more details, please see the following pages:
Book of Mormon Witnesses by Richard L. Anderson.
Mike Ash's page on "The Three Witnesses" and their refutations of anti-Mormon attacks on Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris.
Comments on the Book of Mormon Witnesses: A Response to Jerald and Sandra Tanner by Matt Roper.
defies the logic that men of character generally praised Pudia be part of a fraudulent combination that would bring them no gain and then stay that combination and leave her to endorse fraud until the end of his days, even after becoming disappointed with the organizer who had been opposed on other issues. Would have every reason to expose Joseph Smith as a fraud, if his testimony was not true. The reliability and consistency of the testimony of the Book of Mormon exceed all legal standards for a credible witness. No reason can be given their testimony in their lives than the widely recognized for their integrity, causing them to maintain their position because they knew it was true, despite all the difficulties that caused them.
Many anti-Mormons have tried to discredit witnesses, but their efforts require the abandonment of what witnesses well knew: honesty and trustworthiness. To date, no anti-Mormon critic has been able to refute or explain away the overwhelming evidence around the testimony of numerous witnesses to the Book of Mormon. In fact, when anti-Mormons try to discredit the witnesses, almost universally claim that the massive documentation of Richard L. Anderson and other serious scholars on this topic does not exist. Rather than confront the existing scholarship, will try to ridicule the witnesses insidious little idea about their low intelligence, family relationships (several of the eight witnesses had mutual dealings), hypnotic dreams, or that some of them left the church, trying to suggest falsely that they had denied his testimony of the Book of Mormon, etc. But the document is clear: no witnesses ever denied their testimony of the Book of Mormon, and many heard them repeat their testimony until the end of their lives. One can only conclude the obvious: these people saw the gold plates and knew without a doubt that came from God. If the reader agrees with something more than what Joseph Smith did or said, it's time to reconsider the possibility that the Book of Mormon is a divine record to support real credible and convincing. Fortunately, the truth of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon is the compelling story of noble men of integrity and courage who proclaimed eloquent testimony of something divine.
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