Testimonies of Three and Eight Witnesses(The Book of Mormon)

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bm/thrwtnss
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bm/eghtwtns
THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES

1 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.

OLIVER COWDERY
DAVID WHITMER
MARTIN HARRIS




THE TESTIMONY OF EIGHT WITNESSES

1 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
HIRAM PAGE
JACOB WHITMER
JOSEPH SMITH, SEN.
PETER WHITMER, JUN.
HYRUM SMITH
JOHN WHITMER
SAMUEL H. SMITH

(Book of Mormon | Preface 3 Witnesses:Heading - 8 Witnesses:1)

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Book
• Mormon
• Testimonies
• three
• eight
• witnesses
• Church
• Jesus
• Christ
• Latter-day
• Saints

[josefcrist]

amen brotheren,

please read the book of Zelph.

[rolfo100]

LOL so true!

[verukah]

Thank you so much. A very well presented, sobering declaration. Nothing added. It stands on its own. Very sensitively done. I am grateful to hear your sincerity. It adds to the beauty of the original witnesses' testimonies.

[r8rfanizme]

Years later, Mormon leader Brigham Young said that some "witnesses of the Book of Mormon, who handled the plates and conversed with the angels of God, were afterwards left to doubt and to disbelieve that they had ever seen an angel."

Journal of Discourses 1860, 7:164

[r8rfanizme]

The majority (if not all) the witnesses were believers in folk magic. A number possessed seer stones; Oliver Cowdery was a rodsman.

The Three Witnesses all left the church during Joseph Smith's lifetime. All of the witnesses were family, close friends, or financial backers of Joseph Smith, Jr. Mark Twain later joked, "I could not feel more satisfied and at rest if the entire Whitmer family had testified."

[mormonhippie]

First time since siminary that I've heard the very beginging of the Book of mormon thanks for including it.

[BlackProteus]

I totally agree.

[CHVNX]

All religions are just cults that grew based on lies.

[Trillidotia]

Google The Book of Zelph. Wow, it changed my life. I knew it was of God and TRUE because I prayed about it and rolled the dice. After 6 tries, I rolled a 7, so I know it's true.

Wow. Just totally awesome.