Njoseph smith testimony of the book of mormon

Prophecies about joseph smith bible references for lds. Rees this comparison of joseph smith and john milton focuses on their literary output and especially the preparation each had for dictating a long religious work, in miltons case paradise lost and in smiths the book of mormon. The book of mormon is a translation of golden tablets given to joseph smith who wrote of their account of a plan for salvation and what men must do to gain peace in this life and eternal redemption in the life to come. Joseph smith and the beginnings of mormonism richard l.

The book of mormon is set in north america in the first century. Oct, 2017 most all of the current text of the book of mormon was dictated to a scribe over a period of somewhere between a total of 60 and 90 days, interspersed with other daily activities that sometimes would take joseph smith and oliver cowdery away from. Transcribed only once, from ancient writings, this book is an. This is a reference to the book of mormon and the bible being companion books that compliment each other.

When i see the word translate, it means to me that a scribe read a manuscript written in one language e. If you do so with a sincere heart and pray to know, with intent to act, if the. In 1823 moroni was sent as a resurrected being to reveal the book of mormon to joseph smith and finally delivered the plates to him in 1827 the guide to the scriptures, moroni, son of mormon, 16768. Many modern revelations were given to joseph in response to questions about doctrine, either in the book of mormon, the holy bible, or general. I have a personal witness of the truthfulness of this book and admonish others to seek the same witness. The book of mormon shows joseph smith to be a false prophet last night on the streets of manti, i had an interesting discussion with a man about his beliefs and the book of mormon. The world was not left with joseph smith s testimony alone. Critics point to similarities between a dream joseph smiths father had and lehis dream of the tree of life as evidence that joseph wrote the book of mormon based on his own experiences. The core of mormon belief was a conviction about actual events. 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. Mormon, latter day saints, joseph smith, book of mormon. The challenge of the book of mormon author unknown the evidence for its validity in a world that is prone to demand evidence, lies not in archaeology or anthropology, though these may be helpful to some. Home book of mormon the book of mormon, joseph smith, and birth of christ part 2 of 5 posted on december 27, 2018 december 26, 2018 by rickb leave a comment the book of mormon, joseph smith, and birth of christ part 2 of 5. Joseph smith testimony of the book of mormon movie clip.

The book of mormon is filled with miracles, says elder stevenson at. The book of mormon is a true volume of scripture, prophesied in. The book of mormon is true, just what it purports to be, and for this testimony. Since i think this volume deserves a continuing readership ive decided to post my talk at the panel sessionbased of course on my chapter in the book. On the evening of the twentyfirst of september 1823 i betook myself to prayer and supplication to almighty god.

Joseph smith could neither write nor dictate a coherent and wellworded letter. The book of mormon provided multiple official and unofficial witnesses who corroborated aspects of joseph s account. It is a record of gods dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the americas. Seven years later, in 1830, this scriptural canon of the latterday saints was published for the world. The last nephite prophet in the book of mormon circa a.

Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with the urim and thummim, not by a seer stone in a hat. The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. He was older, in his sixties, and he had been studying the book fervently. Joseph smiths story is a classic comingofage story. And it came to pass that as ammon and lamoni was a journeying thither alma 20.

Joseph smith and the mormon church essay 1196 words. Dear gramps, i would like to know the exact way the prophet joseph translated the book of mormon. Similar grammatic peculiarities also appeared in the first edition of the book of mormon, such as. The book was written by ancient prophets through the spirit of prophecy and revelation. In one of the most famous declarations ever made about the book of mormon, the prophet joseph smith declares this sacred record to be the keystone of the restored gospel of jesus christ and the best guide available for drawing nearer to god. Nov 23, 2009 his testimony of the prophet joseph smith and the book of mormon is powerful. Could joseph smith have written the book of mormon. Printers manuscript of the book of mormon the joseph smith papers. Prophet of the restoration via gospel media library. The 1830, 1837, and 1840 editions, joseph smith, junior, author, proprietor, translator, introduction by curt a. The book of mormon shows joseph smith to be a false.

We have imagined and supposed that god was god from all eternity, i will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see teachings of the prophet joseph smith, compiled by joseph fielding smith, p. The primary source of smith s latterday revelation is the book of mormon, and to fully understand his role as the founder of the mormon faith, one must also understand the book of mormon and how it came to be. I talk often about going to the source when youre seeking informationtruth talking to mormons vs. Admittedly, three of the book of mormon witnesses also reported that an angel appeared to them in 1829 no one seems to know where and showed them the book of mormon plates. The testimony of joseph smith about the book of mormon youtube. Joseph smith translated it by the gift and power of god. Anybody could write a book and claim it fulfills these verses. By the time of his death, 14 years later, he had attracted tens of thousands of followers and founded a religion that continues to the present. I invite all to listen to this address, safety for the soul, and ponder what is taught and then study the book of mormon for yourself you can get a free copy by following this link. Oct 15, 2009 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. Stevenson speaks at the joseph smith memorial devotional. Joseph smith did not write the book of mormon nor did he claim to have any vision or inspired dream recorded in the book of mormon. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates. I bear testimony that joseph smith was raised up by almighty god as a prophet in the last dispensation and fullness of times.

In our day, the story of the book of mormon began on september 21, 1823. Joseph smith juniors book of mormon bom, since the time of its first publication in palmyra, n. Joseph smith and the origins of the book of mormon 2nd edition and also in kindle david persuitte, a technical writer from virginia, wrote the first edition of this book in 1985. While joseph smith appeals to john in working out the meaning of election, at the same time johns texts in chapters 14, 15, 16 become vital in both the mormon egalitarian ministry of knowledge and the mormon temple priesthood and john 15 is the opening text for smiths announcement of choosing apostles in 1835. May i suggest that, as brother christensen did, you set aside time every day to find out for yourself if the book of mormon is a true book, for it will change your heart and change your life. Just as the arch crumbles if the keystone is removed, so does all the church stand or fall with the truthfulness of the book of mormon. This script is taken from portions of joseph smiths own testimony, found at the beginning of the book of mormon. When you see one of these, know youre reading an article by someone who has no idea what mormons believe and head out in search of a more knowledgeable source. Howcroft one the chapters was written by yours truly, joseph smiths sermons and the early mormon documentary record.

Sep 11, 20 the last nephite prophet in the book of mormon circa a. This is the simple, direct testimony of joseph smith, giving some of the events that led to the restoration of the gospel and the founding of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. No salvation without joseph smith mormonism research. It is an examination of the teachings of mormonism existing at that time and claims to contain eyewitness accounts and sworn affidavits by those who knew the family of joseph smith. Why did joseph smith translate the book of mormon into jacobean english, not in use in 1830. The prophet joseph smith s own words about the coming forth of the book of mormon are. This book is much more entertaining if you read it as a historical novel rather than trying to read it as a religious text. The completion of the book of mormon, proved to be the most important and significant act that joseph smith. Joseph smith on the correctness and importance of the book.

David osborn heard joseph smith bear this testimony in far west, missouri, 1837. Joseph smith the prophets own testimony the latterday. The narrator of the book of mormon is a general named mormon, who. The witnesses testimonies, contained in two separate statements, were published in the. The book of mormon, first printed in 1830, is currently being published in more than 80 languages worldwide. The coming forth of the book of mormon, foretold by ancient prophets, began with an angelic visitation in 1823 to 17yearold joseph smith.

How president nelson strengthened my struggling testimony of the. John milton, joseph smith, and the book of mormon byu studies. Honestly, because of the sheer volume of anachronistic errors contained in joseph smith s book, even trying to read it as a novel is taxing. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to. Joseph smith and the book of mormonan apostles testimony. The book of mormon, joseph smith, and birth of christ. The book of mormon is a true volume of scripture, prophesied in the bible, and brought forth by god.

Printers manuscript of the book of mormon, 1923 photostatic copies. Mormon is a nickname for members of the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. Part of the episodes flashback to joseph smith shows smith translating the book of mormon with his face plunged earnestly in a hat. Mormons react to firstever photograph of joseph smiths seer. After joseph smith dictated the book of mormon text, oliver cowdery. Some of you, however, may still be living on the testimony of othersyour parents, your friends, your church leaders. For instance, many years after his apostasy from smiths church, whitmer reacted to claims that he had denied the truthfulness of the book of mormon by paying to. And, though i was an active participant in the scenes that transpired. This statement implies that the book of mormon is not only doctrinally but also historically correct.

The question of the authenticity of the book of mormon is the basis for any discussion on the truthfulness of the lds church. On april 6, 1830, joseph smith organized the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and became its first president. Both believing and skeptical scholars accept that this evidence refutes the testimony of emma and david. Prophecies about joseph smith bible references for lds beliefs. If joseph smith was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latter day saints is the same church that christ established while he was on the earth. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding its precepts, than by any other book. The translation of the book of mormon was only interrupted a few times, when joseph smith and oliver cowdery would retire to the woods to pray about doctrines they discovered in the book of mormon. The prophet joseph smiths own words about the coming forth of the book of mormon are. Not many know the life story of joseph smith, the founder of mormonism, and americas one and only native prophet. Could joseph smith have authored the book of mormon. Nov 16, 2011 ones belief in the book of mormon should be solidly grounded on a spiritual witness obtained by personal study and prayer. 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.

On the evening of the twentyfirst of september 1823 i betook. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith, jr. To order this book directly from amazon, click here. Holland from the october 2009 general conference of the book mormon. Gerald smith explores how the book of mormon influenced joseph smith in issues ranging from his organization of the new churchdrawing its formal name of the church of christ from the text 46to shaping its ecclesiastical structure and priesthood offices 18086. If the book of mormon is true, then joseph smith was a prophet. The mormon religion is based upon the story and religious teachings of joseph smith. As you will read under the heading church, joseph smith sequestered the holy book of mormon to his church, thus, preventing it from going freely to the public. Feb 18, 2008 members of the mormon church believe two things about the book of mormon. Joseph fielding smith true book of mormon geography. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with the urim. Smith was directed to ancient records which were translated by the power of god and published as the book of mormon.

In contrast, joseph smith translated the book of mormon at the rate of about nine pages per day, completing the task in about eightyfive days. Question about the book of mormon and joseph smith. Along this same line of thought, you really cant do much better than to read joseph smiths own testimony of his. Jul 23, 2017 the joseph smith papers project is also a direct source of primary documentation and accurate knowledge about the translation of the book of mormon. The details of josephs fathers dream were written long after the book of mormon was published. Ive included this under the joseph smith and the book of mormon references because the two go hand in hand. He examined egyptian characters copied from book of mormon and said they were. Joseph smith decided this could be an opportunity to relieve some of the financial pressure associated with publishing the book of mormon joseph smith had been told there were people in canada willing to buy the s to useful books. Rather, the church, or body of christ, is made up of individuals throughout the world who have placed their total trust in jesus christ for their salvation. Unfortunately, the literature about joseph smith and the book of mormon is permeated with contradiction and controversy. An account written by the hand of mormon, upon plates taken from the plates of nephi.

He reaches the emotional maturity necessary to discover the gold plates still as a very. The following preface should cause all readers to consider what president no he wasnt president at the time of its writing but he did not change one word of it after becoming president joseph fielding smith said about cumorah, and not toss them aside as if they were from just another ar. Fourteen centuries later, in 1823, the angel moroni led joseph smith to the plates hidden in a hillside in upstate new york. Brief background of my life as a mormon leaving mormonism and some experiences as a mormon history of joseph smith book of mormon. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2600 bc to ad 421. My own testimony of the book of mormon doesnt rest on.

Smith was the founding prophet and first president of the church. Most all of the current text of the book of mormon was dictated to a scribe over a period of somewhere between a total of 60 and 90 days, interspersed with other daily activities that sometimes would take joseph smith and oliver cowdery away from. The book of mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible, used by latter day saints. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. For instance, i read that at first he used a seer stone instead of the urim and thummim which he placed in his hat and buried his face into the hat to block out the light. Joseph smith was seventeen, and for the past three years the. After those four years, joseph received the plates and began translating the book of mormon. John milton, joseph smith, and the book of mormon author robert a. Members of the church call him a prophet because, according to the traditional role of prophets recorded in the old and new testaments in the bible, he relied on revelation from god for teaching the people, and not on his own wisdom or learning. Grandins print shop was on the third floor of what is now known as the grandin building and used by.

Mormons believe in and worship jesus christ and revere joseph smith as a servant of god. Second edition of the book of mormon, 1837, in contemporary sheep book of mormon smith, joseph. Joseph smith and the beginning of book of mormon archaeology did the prophet joseph smith in 1842 locate book of mormon lands in middle america. Ever since the book of mormon was translated by the prophet joseph smith in a matter of months in 1829 and published in march 1830. Again, to apply these to the book of mormon is assumption without proof.

While i was thus in the act of calling upon god, i discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase. Testimony of jesus christ, joseph smith, the book of mormon. Book of mormonplagiarism accusationsjoseph smith, sr. The book of mormon, like the bible, contains a record of gods dealings with a part of the house of israel. To those who are investigating mormonism by richard packham. So the question of all questions deals with the truthfulness of book of mormon. Written by prophets to a people who lived in america long before white people ever came, some believe they were the beginnings of some native indian tribes. In 1844 joseph smith declared that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts than by any other book teachings of the prophet joseph smith, p. December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement.

This was originally written as a letter to a friend, a mormon, who wanted to know why i left mormonism. Did joseph smiths mother believe he could have written the book. For anything of religious or theological significance with regard to the book of mormon, we are entirely dependent on the testimony of one man. Mormon origins is created to make available historical information andor documents relating to the beginnings of mormonism in america. How exactly did joseph smith translate the book of mormon. Despite this biblical truth, joseph fielding smith, mormonisms tenth president, went on record as saying that there is no salvation without joseph smith. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi.

In 1827, smith began to gather a religious following after announcing that an angel had shown him a set of golden plates describing a visit of jesus to the indigenous peoples of. Joseph smith on the correctness and importance of the book of. According to mormon belief, the book of mormon was inscribed on golden plates by generations of prophets, quoted and abridged by the prophethistorian mormon, and buried in the ground by mormons son, moroni. Cowdery being the 7th of april i commenced to translate the book of mormon, and he began to write for me. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421.

Other prophets have testified simply of the divinity of the book of mormon. The sources of inspiration and content essay further discusses joseph smiths grammatic style in the book of mormon. When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon. Joseph smith president in his notes of a council meeting with the twelve in nauvoo on 28 november 1841, joseph wrote. Garth norman posted by permission of ancient america foundation and the author. Both believing and skeptical scholars accept that this. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on this earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than any other book. Joseph smith testimony of the book of mormon movie clip this is made with movie clips and pictures of joseph smiths life, and then ends with the powerful testimony by elder jeffrey r. If you are investigating mormonism the church of jesus christ of latterday saints or lds church, you are probably studying it in private meetings in. Once i gained a testimony of its divine authenticity, i found myself fascinated with the. The test of faith was not adherence to a certain confession of faith but belief that christ was resurrected, that joseph smith saw god, that the book of mormon was true history and not philosophy, and that peter, james, and john restored the apostleships. Joseph smiths testimony on the lands of the nephites.