Discussions on the book of mormon testimony of the witnesses and general church history now playing. Martin harris testimony of the book of mormon as given to. My testimony of the book of mormon is rational meridian. My testimony of the book of mormon spiritual crusade.
Take some time to read about the book of mormon, and pick 10 scriptures that help you gain a stronger testimony of the truthfulness and importance of it. This script is taken from portions of joseph smiths own testimony, found at the beginning of the book of mormon. Lest anyone conclude that i merely lack the powerful spiritual experiences and personal confirmation they received, allow me to share how i obtained my testimony. Some that are echoing what is in the bible, some that are not included in the bible. We are still very limited in our knowledge of many things. Should you pray and ask if its true or maybe you already prayed and didnt get an answer. To this day, this testimony continues to grow as i continuously search, with a sincere heart, to more fully understand the word of god as contained in this extraordinary book of scripture. I want to bear testimony of the truthfulness of the book of mormon. Jan 07, 2020 what is your testimony of the book of mormon. David whitmers final testimony of the book of mormon.
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. Founder of the largest indigenous christian church in american history, joseph smith published the 584page book of mormon when he was 23 and went on to organize a church, found cities, and attract thousands of followers before his violent death at age 38. I bear testimony that joseph smith was raised up by almighty god as a prophet in the last dispensation and fullness of times. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, joseph smith stated, and the keystone 1 of our religion. Never in my born and raised in the church life have i read the book of mormon on a daily basis. When you read the book of mormon, concentrate on the principal. I think the question can be turned to how did you gain a testimony of the bible and christianity.
The question of the book of mormon witnesses is extremely significant. No religious class, church lesson, parental bribe, new years resolution, or challenge from a prophet helped me develop a habit of daily scripture study. The book of mormon has filled my heart with so much joy and light and hope. The earliest text yale university press, 2009, my task has been to recover the original englishlanguage text of the book of mormon to the extent scholarly and academic analysis will allow. The three most abominable sins religious studies center. I hold in my hand that book, the very copy from which hyrum read, the same corner of the page turned down still visible. During our reading of first nephi, we noticed that the. Actually incarcerated in the jail, joseph the prophet bore a powerful testimony of the divine authenticity of the book of mormon. Each of these specific menoliver cowdery, martin harris, and david whitmersacrificed much to help with the translation and publication of the book of mormon, and its likely this is a significant part of why they were chosen as witnesses. Sep 03, 20 there was a recent mormon message very similar to this, showing excerpts from elder hollands powerful conference talk, safety for the soul. As one of a thousand elements of my own testimony of the divinity of the book of mormon, i submit this as yet one more evidence of its truthfulness.
Benson points out three reasons the book of mormon is so important to us. Book of mormon testimonies have you ever wondered about. Some mormons will agree that all three witnesses denied the book of mormon but came back to deny their denial. The book of mormon is a sacred record containing information that is found in no other book. Alma, the testimony of the word in the book of mormon symposium series, edited by monte s. Receiving a testimony of the book of mormon is one of the most important personal revelations we need to receive in these latter days. Adultery was third to murder and the sin against the holy ghost as abominable sins. Prophets and apostles talk about the book of mormon.
My topic for discussion here is the challenge of the book of mormon. My testimony of the book of mormon, scholarly and personal. Carlson is true and i bear witness of it to my family, my loved ones, my posterity and to the world. I have a testimony of the book of mormon, that it is the word of god. We believed the third book, a golden book, was lost until we learned of the book of mormon. Hagoth and the polynesians religious studies center. Nineteen papers on a variety of topics related to the largest book in the book of mormon, alma, make up this volume. Our elders teach us that the silver book represents knowledge and the heavenly book represents the bible, or the word of god. But behold, jesus christ hath shown you unto me, and i know your doing.
Alan stout i love to hear friends and family members share that one special experience when they first gained a testimony of. A common muslim testimony i bear you my testimony that i know the book of mormon is true, i know that joseph smith is a true prophet of god and i know that the church is the only true church i bear witness that there is no god but allah, and i bear witness that mohammed is the servant and messenger of allah. Richard bushman, an esteemed cultural historian and a practicing mormon, moves beyond the popular stereotype of smith as a colorful fraud. Book of mormon, 1830, page 589 the joseph smith papers. The book of mormon is true, just what it purports to be, and for this testimony i expect to give an account in the day of judgment. A modernday apostle describes the unwavering faith churchs founders showed, even in the face of death, to remain true to their testimonies of the book of mormon. The testimonies of the three and eight witnesses were published in the first edition of the book of mormon and every edition since.
Yet, we still have the statements from the mormon church that none of them ever denied their testimony of the book of mormon. It was on saturday, january 18th that our bishop called late and asked me to bear my testimony of the book of mormon the next morning in sacrament meeting along with others. Aug, 2018 other prophets have testified simply of the divinity of the book of mormon. I created some blank bookmarks for you to print out and use as well. Why didnt the book of mormon witnesses sign their testimony. As francis kirkham, an lds missionary to the maori in the 1890s remembered, we would go to them, hold up a copy of the book of mormon and tell them that we had a book that told the history of their ancestors barber 1215. To the inside front cover are affixed four clippings of descriptions of different versions of first edition copies of the book of mormon and of an 1854 edition of the doctrine and covenants, along with a clipping describing the origin of the text of the book of mormon and a bookplate of the shepard book company of salt lake city, utah. But the talk was so powerful, i wanted to show more. This appeal to all people must involve many languages and the work. The book of mormon is a gift from god to all humankind, and he has commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance. This may be the case, but there is a possible exception. I first met martin harris, one of the three witnesses to the authenticity of the book of mormon, in smithfield utah in 1874. Modern mormon spin doctors write all kinds of articles claiming that the witnesses may have denied the mormon church but they never the book of mormon. 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.
It is the keystone of our witness of christ, of our doctrine, and of our testimony. Have you ever wondered about your testimony of the book of mormon. Quoted by david osborn, in recollections of the prophet joseph smith, juvenile instructor, mar. Mclellans testimony of the book of mormon author larry c. Lost civilizations of north america documentary4, deborah bolnick on haplogroup x. My testimony of the book of mormon came line upon line as a miracle to my heart. The book of mormon is the most important religious text to be revealed from god to man since the writings of the new testament were compiled nearly two millennia ago. My wife, mei, and i are fresh, new members of the church. All book of mormon prophets taught more or less mosiah. These topics include the relevance of the book of alma to our modern situation, classic discourses of alma the younger, the doctrinal and spiritual understanding afforded by almas counsel to his son corianton, and an enlightening look at the antichrist korihor. Shortly thereafter, pistol and ball would take the lives of these two test stators. Hopefully the following firsthand accounts of how different people gained their testimonies can help provide insights and inspiration for your own journey of faith. Testimony of the book of mormon bookmark little lds ideas.
Then, for the next question is how did you gain a testimony of the book of mormon and joseph smith as gods prophet most christians have no idea w. David whitmers final testimony of the book of mormon david whitmer was excommunicated from the church of jesus christ of latterday saints in 1838 for turning against church members and joining in persecuting them. Male voice mp3 female voice mp3 entire book pdf related content. Thereafter, the books teachings on israelites became a focus for proselyting work among the maori. Joseph smith was the conduit to bring this book to light, after it was hidden for many years. The challenge of the book of mormon religious studies center. My life by gogo goff testimony of the book of mormon facebook.
Seminary is a program for mormon youth high school students. Apostle describes the unwavering faith the churchs founders showed, even in the face of death, to remain true to their testimonies of the book of mormon. How did you gain a testimony of the book of mormon and the. The testimony of the eight witnesses was first published at the end of the 1830 edition of the book of mormon and has been printed in nearly every edition since, although most subsequent editions moved the statement to the front of the book and included minor grammatical corrections. The three witnesses were oliver cowdery, martin harris, and david whitmer, whose joint testimony, in conjunction with a separate statement by eight witnesses, has been printed with every edition of the book of mormon since its first publication in 1830. Smith recorded that he alone supposedly translated lost plates which give an account of the history of ancient north america and was the author of subsequent works doctrine and covenants and pearl of great price. The lord has commanded us to divide with all his children the truths of the everlasting gospel that have been revealed to prepare them for a place in the celestial kingdom. Cobb, a graduate of dartmouth and amherst colleges and a resident of salt lake city, was making an attempt to establish the falsity of the book of mormon through an extensive examination of its origins.
As the director of the church history library, where we hold the churchs official archival. The book of mormon has been organized into 6,607 verses, of which 3,925 refer to jesus christ, employing more than 100 titles. All three men upheld their testimony of the book of mormon at their deaths. In the book of mormon chapter 8 verse 35, moroni writes, behold, i speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. 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.
The book of mormon holds a special place in my heart. That book the very copy from which high red the same corner of the page to turn down still visible. Another testament of jesus christ is to convey to the modern world powerful testimonies of the divine mission and essential attributes of jesus christ, to the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the christ, the eternal god title page. Explore around to see how the book of mormon can bless your life. The testimony of joseph smith about the book of mormon youtube. Mclellin and the book of mormon witnesses author mitchell k. Isnt it interesting that the general conference odyssey is just now reading through those powerful talks given by president ezra taft benson who focused so much on this great book of scripture.
Book of mormon witnesses consistently reaffirmed their testimony since there is no evidence of any document whatsoever with the signatures of all of the witnesses, the only real testimonies we have from the witnesses are later interviews given by them and eyewitness accountsaffidavits made by others, some of which are shown previously. The summary points below defending our rationality as mormons are a serious matter. A young refugees testimony of the book of mormon meridian. Nelson when you read the book of mormon, concentrate on the principal figure in the bookfrom its first chapter to the lastthe. The bible and the book of mormon on a map of the world testify of jesus. Kimball in his first press conference after he became president of the church. A source of power and another testament of jesus christ, the book of mormon is described in its introduction as a volume of holy scripture. Mar 01, 2020 i do want you all to know for sure i have that testimony, and not hide it, so i will do my best to share it with you in writing. Long ago in the karen culture in burma, the history has been told of three books that were lost. Second, amaleki says that to serve christ we must give ourselves as an offering to him.
Dec 06, 2019 nephi, a book of mormon prophet, teaches that the scriptures contain the words of christ, and they teach us to do good. Nephi records his final testimony 2 nephi 33 youtube. Gaining a personal testimony of the book of mormon youtube. Testimony of the book of mormon eyewitnesses come reason. If a burning bosom is an essential part of personal revelation, how can we truly recognize it. The solemn testimony of the three witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon since 1830. Most books contained in libraries of the world were authored for contemporary readers. Ten testimonies of jesus christ from the book of mormon. Nov 10, 2011 prophets and apostles talk about the book of mormon. In the introductory pages of the book of mormon, there is a page that contains the testimony of three witnesses and the testimony of eight witnesses.
As editor of the book of mormon critical text project and the book of mormon. Not long after my call to serve as one of the twelve apostles, i was summoned to the office of the president of our quorum, president ezra taft benson. Togather saints testimony of the book of mormon facebook. Testimony of the book of mormon latterday saints channel. Martin harris may 18, 1783 july 10, 1875 was an early convert to the latter day saint movement who financially guaranteed the first printing of the book of mormon and also served as one of three witnesses who testified that they had seen the golden plates from which joseph smith said the book of mormon had been translated. The mission of byutv is to create purposeful, engaging viewing and listening experiences that entertain, inspire, uplift, and improve families and communities. Seven summary insights into the theological rationality of the book of mormon. Mclellin 18061883 was an early mormon apostle who later left the church. The book of mormon testifies of jesuss ministry in the americas following his resurrection. Jan 27, 2017 the solemn testimony of the three witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon since 1830.
Christensen is a returned lds missionary and is home book of mormon challenge. Later when actually incarcerated in the jail, joseph the prophet bore a powerful testimony of the divine authenticity of the book of mormon. The author of these truth claims essays provided to mormon stories, michael brown, shared his testimony as follows. I felt prompted to share my testimony of the book of mormon with you. The book of mormon states it is the work of one man, joseph smith. I know it is gods tangible visual aid given to help us spread his gospel, to teach and bring souls to christ in these latter days. My testimony of the book of mormon, scholarly and personal as editor of the book of mormon critical text project and the book of mormon. The 1830 edition of the book of mormon had nephi prophesy that his descendants would become a white and a delightsome people through the gospel of jesus christ. But, what if you dont feel the burning in your bosom after praying about the book.
A testimony of the book of mormon book of mormon central. Nephi invites those who do not believe in his words to believe in christ. I do want you all to know for sure i have that testimony, and not hide it, so i will do my best to share it with you in writing. With this declaration, alma identified for corianton the three most abominable sins in the sight of god. These and other evidences strengthen my already strong testimony that the book of mormon is true and powerful. Discussions on the book of mormon the structure of the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a convincing witness for jesus christ because its writers freely shared their personal testimonies of him and communicated their individual feelings and thoughts about his attributes and functions. This moroni says he did, and from all the evidence in the book of mormon, augmented by the testimony of the prophet joseph smith, these final battles took place in the territory known as the united states and in the neighborhood of the great lakes and hills of western new york. Testimonies of the book of mormon book of mormon central. We can find out what we need to do to return to live in the presence of our heavenly father. I showed this to my seminary students as part of lesson 5 overview of book of mormon. Testimony of the witnesses and general church history byutv. In fact, we have just started to read the book of mormon.
The decision to use the word challenge came from a remark by president spencer w. The book of mormon is a special testimony to the jew, and amaleki seals this testimony in his declaration of christ as the holy one of israel. Gaining a personal testimony of the book of mormon. Testimonies of the book of mormon other prophets have testified simply of the divinity of the book of mormon. Testimony moronis america the north american setting. A modernday apostle describes the unwavering faith the churchs founders showed, even in the face of death, to remain true to their testimonies of the book of mormon. Should a testimony of the book of mormon always come with.
Their writings centered upon the lord, his mission, and his ministry. This textual emendation has understandably raised questions about the book of mormon s racial. Book of mormon witnesses all later denied its truthfulness. Im grateful for the teachings in the book of mormon. My testimony of the book of mormon by kristen duke this site is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to. I bear witness to my family, my loved ones, my posterity, and the world that the book of mormon is true and is indeed the word of god and that joseph smith was the person god chose to restore the true gospel to the earth, in this last of dispensations, in preparation for the second coming of the savior. Jan 02, 2016 elder holland then declared his own testimony of the book of mormon, but not before asking a penetrating question to those who question the books divinity. As a lifelong member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints i have always known about and regarded part of me by. Thus, some form of christs name is used on an average of one reference for every 1.
The words within this precious book can bring great knowledge and peace to our souls. This was changed by joseph smith in 1840 to read that nephis descendants would become a pure and a delightsome people. So as attacks on the book of mormon as continue now as they did in 1830, here is a quick overview of why i know my testimony of the book of mormon is rational. The dying testimony of martin harris, as given to william pilkington by martin harris himself, in clarkston, cache county, utah. Shortly thereafter, pistol and ball would take the lives of these two testators.
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