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[ Mormonism's Three Inadmissible Witnesses - No. 1 ] EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second in a series of three articles examining the credibility of the men who were Joseph Smith's "witnesses" to the "authenticity" of The Book of Mormon. Harris, Whitmer, and Cowdery's testimony in the Book of Mormon implies they had empirical evidence of the plates. "But, what people are not told is that the experience was visionary in nature. While Joseph Smith was dictating the Book of Mormon to Oliver Cowdery, he read off a section that declared there would be three special witnesses who would be allowed to see the plates and then 'bear witness' to the Book of Mormon." Joseph Smith's History states, "Almost immediately after we had made this discovery, it occurred to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and the aforementioned Martin Harris (who had come to inquire after our progress in the work) that they would have me inquire of the Lord to know if they might not obtain of him the privilege to be these three special witnesses; and finally they became so very solicitous, and urged me so much to inquire that at length I complied" (History of the Church, Vol. 1, pp. 52-53). Joseph then produced a revelation for Oliver, David and Martin which stated that if they relied upon God's word, and did so with a full purpose of heart, they would "have a view of the plates, and also the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim & Thummim, ... and the miraculous directors which were given to Lehi" (Ibid, p. 53). It would only be by their faith that they would be able to obtain a view of them. Is this providence or convenience? Joseph dictates the part of the Book of Mormon that mentions three special witnesses while all three are there with him. They beg Joseph to ask God if maybe they aren't the ones. When he finally gives in, Joseph immediately gets a revelation that says, if they have faith, rely on God's word and have full purpose of heart, they will see not only the plates but numerous other wonderful things. So they go to the woods and first spend a prolonged time in prayer. Nothing happens. They pray more. Nothing happens. Martin Harris volunteers to leave the group because he senses the others think he was the reason nothing was happening. As soon as Harris leaves, the others see the angel and plates, though there is no mention of any of the other items that had been promised. According to Joseph Smith's history, Joseph then goes to find Harris, and while praying together, Harris cries out, "Tis enough, tis enough; mine eyes have beheld; mine eyes have beheld;" (Ibid, p. 55). Even in this there is a conflict of testimony, for according to Harris, "I never saw the gold plates, only in a visionary or entranced state. ...In about three days I went into the woods to pray that I might see the plates. While praying I passed into a state of entrancement, and in that state I saw the angel and the plates." (Anthony Metcalf, Ten Years Before the Mast, n.d., microfilm copy, p. 70-71). Once again, in spite of the revelation that claimed they would see the plates, as well as many other marvelous things, all they testified to seeing was an angel holding the plates. However, later in life, in an interview with Zenas Gurley, David Whitmer would testify that he saw "the Interpreters in the holy vision." When Harris was asked if he saw the plates with his naked eyes, he would later admit he only saw the plates with a spiritual eye. (Wilford C. Wood, Joseph Smith Begins His Work, Vol. 1, 1958, Introduction. This is a photomechanical reprint of the first edition [1830] of the Book of Mormon. It also contains biographical and historical information relating to the Book of Mormon.) It becomes apparent from Harris' testimony and that of others, that this was a "visionary experience," according to (www.exmormon.org). When Christ sent forth the apostles with his revelation, he empowered them with miraculous powers to establish their credibility and that of their message. Compare that with these three "visionaries" who signed an affidavit claiming to have seen these plates. There was no need for the apostles to have men swear their word was true. They proved it by their apostolic powers (2 Cor. 12:12). Cowdery, Whitmer and Harris worked no miracles. Their testimony regarding the authenticity of the Book of Mormon is as reliable as a con man who says, "trust me." [ Mormonism's Three Inadmissible Witnesses - No. 3 ] |