Therefore, today we are going to look at another author’s take on the 11 Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. If you open the cover of a Book of Mormon you will find two sets of proclamations that the book is true. The first is signed by 3 Witnesses and the second by 11 Witnesses.
The first one is as follows:
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: 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 people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken. And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.
OLIVERY COWDERY
DAVID WHITMER
MARTIN HARRIS
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. 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. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen. And we lie not, God bearing witness of it.
CHRISTIAN WHITMER
JACOB WHITMER
PETER WHITMER, JUN
JOHN WHITMER
HIRAM PAGE
JOSEPH SMITH, SEN
HYRUM SMITH
SAMUEL H. SMITH
Now there have been several accounts of the defense and evaluation of the legitimacy or reliability of these testimonies. You can Google it and see that for yourself. Howveer, some of the most convincing evidence for me has been found at the following two sources:
The Three Witnesses
The Book of Mormon Witnesses
One sidenote item of interest:
Although the LDS church does not believe in the Trinity, it seems like they once did when you read the last line of the testimony of the Three Witnesses.
Study of the LDS Church - 6.12 The Remaining Apostles
2 comments:
I think Peter denied Christ three times, but he came back. Is this right?
Dustin - The apolostle Peter did deny Christ three times on the night before his crucifixion. I'm not sure what you mean by he "came back" but he did become one of the foremost leaders in the foundation of Christianity and is considered the first Pope of the Catholic Church. So he certainly got over his fear of being affiliated with Christ.
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