Religious studies center, brigham young university, 1992. The summary points below defending our rationality as mormons are a serious matter. The testimonies of the three and eight witnesses were published in the first edition of the book of mormon and every edition since. Nov 01, 2016 as a result, if the book of mormon can be proved to be manmade, then the church is manmade. 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. Jun 02, 2012 i bear testimony that our savior is our perfect example, that he did perform the atonement for us, and that through him we all may be able to return to live with our father in heaven again. Testimony of the book of mormon eyewitnesses come reason. 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. I know the more and more we study the book of mormon the stronger our testimony will grow. To a latterday saint, a testimony is a personal witness of a gospel truth. Other prophets have testified simply of the divinity of the book of mormon. My testimony of the book of mormon 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. The book of mormon states it is the work of one man, joseph smith.
So, i picked up my copy of the book of mormon and started to read it. 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. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints 28,708 views. David whitmers final testimony of the book of mormon. 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. The book of mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its primary purpose to testify of jesus christ.
I hold in my hand that book, the very copy from which hyrum read, the same corner of the page turned down still visible. It is the keystone of our witness of christ, of our doctrine, and of our testimony. As a result, if the book of mormon can be proved to be manmade, then the church is manmade. 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. I wanted what i had seen in the mormon missionaries who. 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. Testimony of the book of mormon church of jesus christ.
Nelson when you read the book of mormon, concentrate on the principal figure in the book from its first chapter to the lastthe lord jesus christ. Mcdonough, illustrating the power of 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. We believed the third book, a golden book, was lost until we learned of the book of mormon. The good bishop walker conversion story of a man who was known as bishop walker before he became a latterday saint. As editor of the book of mormon critical text project and the book of mormon. As the director of the church history library, where we hold the churchs official archival. Later, when actually incarcerated in the jail, joseph, the prophet bore a powerful testimony of the divine authenticity of the book of mormon.
It wasnt an overwhelming feeling or anything it was just a peaceful feeling. And here moroni found the resting place for the sacred instruments. Latterday saints mormons often speak about the importance of having a personal testimony of the gospel of jesus christ. Aug, 2018 other prophets have testified simply of the divinity of the book of mormon. Once we have a foundational testimony of the book of mormon, then. I created some blank bookmarks for you to print out and use as well. 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. The first thing that i noticed was a picture of jesus christ with his hands on top of the head of the apostle john ordaining him. I remember the spirit i felt as a kid every time we read from it. Male voice mp3 female voice mp3 entire book pdf related content.
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. Jan 02, 2016 after recounting how hyrum smith read from the book of mormon ether 12. I can testify with the fullness of my heart that i know that the book of mormon is true. Nov 10, 2011 the book of mormona book from god duration. Each and ever one of us can know with every bit of our being that this is the true word of god. The doctrine of christ and nephis testimony the book of. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. 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. It is the keystone of our witness of christ, of our doctrine, and of. The book of mormon testifies of jesuss ministry in the americas following his resurrection. Discussions on the book of mormon joseph smithhistory.
My testimony of the book of mormon, scholarly and personal. Should you pray and ask if its true or maybe you already prayed and didnt get an answer. That book the very copy from which high red the same corner of the page to turn down still visible. I am so grateful to have the book of mormon so that i can continually feast upon the word of god. Seven years later, in 1830, this scriptural canon of the latterday saints was published for the world. And then there is another clause, of which the father, the son, and the holy ghost, bear record. Get insight into the witnesses to the gold plates, the book of mormon s translation and printing, and the opposition to and reception of early saints because of it. All book of mormon prophets taught more or less mosiah. Hopefully the following firsthand accounts of how different people gained their testimonies can help provide insights and inspiration for your own journey of faith. My life by gogo goff testimony of the book of mormon.
Testimony of the book of mormon bookmark little lds ideas. The book of mormon is a compilation of several books written by ancient prophets. My testimony of the book of mormon is rational meridian. So there is a third thingall this, which will stand as a testimony. I bear testimony that joseph smith was raised up by almighty god as a prophet in the last dispensation and fullness of times.
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. Jan 07, 2020 what is the sacred nature of the book of mormon. This sustaining and uplifting feeling, in my view, is a godfelt urging to repent and come unto christ. Nor does the spirit, which testifies of the book of mormon, confirm the historical reality of the book. Discussions on the book of mormon testimony of the witnesses and general church history episode info. Gunnell goes on to quote a letter written in 1844 by phineas young to brigham young, martin harris is a firm believer in shakerism, says his testimony is greater than it was of the book of mormon martin harris witness and benefactor to the book of mormon, wayne c. 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. 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. Testimony of three witnesses church of jesus christ. 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. 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.
Hopefully the following firsthand accounts of how different people gained their testimonies can help provide insights and inspiration for your own journey of. These and other evidences strengthen my already strong testimony that the book of mormon is true and powerful. Shortly thereafter, pistol and ball would take the lives of these two test stators. Later when actually incarcerated in the jail, joseph the prophet bore a powerful testimony of the divine authenticity of the book of mormon. Recently, i saw a friend not of my faith posted on social media recently that she saw the book of mormon musical. 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. Mormon answers to questions about the lds testimony and the need for personal revelation. Book of mormon, 1830, page 589 the joseph smith papers.
Richard bushman, an esteemed cultural historian and a practicing mormon, moves beyond the popular stereotype of. Its also talking about this workthe book, the book of mormon. Shortly thereafter, pistol and ball would take the lives of these two testators. We tend to encourage people to not just read and think, but also to pray as a way to learn, through personal revelation, if the book of mormon. A young refugees testimony of the book of mormon meridian. I have therefore restricted my discussion to the text. Long ago in the karen culture in burma, the history has been told of three books that were lost. 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. On the other hand, if its origin is godgiven, then joseph smith was a prophet, and if he was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is true. A modernday apostle describes the unwavering faith churchs founders showed, even in the face of death, to remain true to their testimonies.
Testimony of the witnesses and general church history byutv. The mormon testimony mormons claim that a personal feeling, a burning in the bosom, which is interpreted to be a manifestation of the holy ghost, is the only evidence needed to prove that the religion is true. Jun 25, 2007 like many of you, i started gaining my testimony of the book of mormon at a very young age. 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. And i learned that joseph smith, the man who translated the book of mormon and organized the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, was a prophet of god in the same sense that peter and moses were prophets. Like many of you, i started gaining my testimony of the book of mormon at a very young age. The question of the book of mormon witnesses is extremely significant. Judging simply from the names and titles they used in referring to the lord, we can see that each book of mormon prophet related to and testified of jesus in his own individual way, revealing to us things. A testimony of the book of mormon can be gained by reading the book of mormon and putting the book to the test by praying about whether or not it is true. The lds church teaches members from childhood to rely upon feeling the spirit to confirm truth, promoting a personal connection to god which stems from its uniquely powerful priesthoodconferred gift of the spirit.
Togather saints testimony of the book of mormon facebook. My testimony of the book of mormon spiritual crusade. My personal explanation of the book of mormon is one of testimony. I remember waking up very earlier as a family to read from its pages. I believe with all of my heart and mind that it is a sacred record, one authored by prophets through the ages, meant to establish and tie together eternal principles and precepts, rounding out basic doctrines of salvation ensign, jan 2004, faust, p. Our elders teach us that the silver book represents knowledge and the heavenly book represents the bible, or the word of god. Building upon this foundational testimony of christ, each book of mormon prophet distinctively accented certain attributes of jesus christ. 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. The very copy from which high red the same corner of the page to turn down still visible. Actually incarcerated in the jail, joseph the prophet bore a powerful testimony of the divine authenticity of the book of mormon. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, joseph smith stated, and the keystone of our religion. After recounting how hyrum smith read from the book of mormon ether 12. Nelson when you read the book of mormon, concentrate on the principal figure in the bookfrom its first chapter to the lastthe.
Benson points out three reasons the book of mormon is so important to us. Seven summary insights into the theological rationality of the book of mormon. Alma, the testimony of the word in the book of mormon symposium series, edited by monte s. A testimony of the book of mormon church of jesus christ. The book of mormon is changing the lives of people all. The coming forth of the book of mormon, foretold by ancient prophets, began with an angelic visitation in 1823 to 17yearold joseph smith. I bear testimony that our savior is our perfect example, that he did perform the atonement for us, and that through him we all may be able to return to live with our father in heaven again. Have you ever wondered about your testimony of the book of mormon. We believed the third book, a golden book, was lost until we. No religious class, church lesson, parental bribe, new years resolution, or challenge from a prophet helped me develop a habit of daily scripture study. 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 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. Testimony of the book of mormon i created some blank bookmarks for you to print out and use as well. 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.
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