Witnesses of the Book of Mormon / Gold Plates
Book Recommendation:
Investigating the Book Of Mormon Witnesses
Author: Richard L. Anderson
Summary: Investigating the lives of the many people who witnesses the gold plates the Book of Mormon was translated from. Here are modern men who can be examined closely on their astounding claim—of being commissioned by an angel’s appearance and by God’s voice to testify of ancient scripture. Here are others who describe a physical experience of seeing and handling the metal record. Can it be taken seriously? This is the question author Richard Lloyd Anderson sets out to answer in this book. Using historical sources as close to the witnesses as possible, he has carefully researched their backgrounds, characters, and testimonies. His findings cannot be taken lightly. Statements clearly traced to the witnesses verify the testimonies printed in the Book of Mormon that they saw the plates, and in the case of the Three Witnesses, that an angel displayed them while the heavenly voice declared that the translation was correct. The witnesses’ lives were fused by the fire of their testimonies into a sign from God. “After years of working with their lives and their words, I am deeply convinced that their printed testimonies must be taken at face value.”
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Presentations:
The Book of Mormon Witnesses: Evidence for The Book of Mormon (1 hr)
Richard Lloyd Anderson's 2004 FAIR Conference address. Brother Anderson’s review of various aspects of the lives and history of the men and women who witnessed Joseph Smith translating the Book of Mormon, witnessed the plates themselves is masterful presentation based on many years of hard won and honest research.
The Greatest Witnesses for the Book of Mormon (1 hr 5 min)
In this episode Dan Peterson shares his opinion on the greatest witnesses for the Book of Mormon. This episode explores the fact that over 19 people witnessed the existence of the ancient gold plates possessed by Joseph Smith, 5 of which were shown the plates by heavenly messengers.
Witnessing the Book of Mormon: The Testimonies of Three, Eight, and Millions - Keith Erekson (58 min)
A wonderful presentation by a renowned expert on the history of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon, the gold plates and their translation into the Book of Mormon.
Bart D. Ehrman defends Book of Mormon Witnesses (1 hr 15 min)
Exploring the incredible importance of witnesses to any event, current or historical especially as it pertains to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the 19 witnesses to the gold plates that Joseph Smith had in his possession from which he translated the Book of Mormon.
Summary: The 19 Witnesses of The Book Of Mormon
The Three Witnesses (official, physical)
-These men testified they saw the angel, saw the plates, and heard the voice of God.
1. Oliver Cowdery
2. Martin Harris
3. David Whitmer
The Eight Witnesses (official, physical)
-These men testified they handled, lifted, and examined the plates directly.
4. Christian Whitmer
5. Jacob Whitmer
6. Peter Whitmer Jr.
7. John Whitmer
8. Hiram Page
9. Joseph Smith Sr.
10. Hyrum Smith
11. Samuel H. Smith
Additional Physical Witnesses (Unofficial, But Direct)
-These individuals physically interacted with the plates, handled them while covered, felt their shape, or interacted with the translation instruments. Anderson documented their accounts separately.
12. Emma Hale Smith
She was involved in the early translation process and was there for a small portion of the early 116 pages. Emma felt, lifted, and moved the plates while they were wrapped.
13. Lucy Mack Smith
Handled the container, felt the plates, and described their weight and movement.
14. Katherine Smith
Lifted the plates while they were wrapped in cloth.
15. William Smith
Felt the plates through the cloth, turned the leaves with his thumb.
16. Mary Musselman Whitmer
Saw the plates openly when shown by a heavenly messenger (separate from the Three Witnesses’ experience).
17. Elizabeth Ann Whitmer Cowdery
Saw the plates under a linen cloth and described their outline.
18. John Whitmer Sr. (also known as Peter Whitmer Sr.)
Handled the covered plates and testified of their reality.
19. John Whitmer’s Mother (Mary Whitmer’s mother in law, sometimes referenced as Mary Whitmer Sr. in older sources)
Encountered an angel (Moroni) who showed her the plates and comforted her during the translation period.
