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To: Colofornian

* “Wherefore, at that day when the book shall be delivered unto the man of whom I have spoken, the book shall be hid from the eyes of the world, that the eyes of NONE shall behold it SAVE it be that three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of God, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered; and they shall testify to the truth of the book and the things therein.” And there is NONE other which shall view it, SAVE it be A FEW according to the will of God, to bear testimony of his word unto thei children of men; (2 Nephi 27:12-13)


If you remember, Colofornian, there were but three who were shown the plates “by the power of God” — Martin Harris, David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery. They saw the angel who laid the plates before them, and they also heard the voice of God commanding them to bear witness.

The eight witnesses did not see the plates under supernatural circumstances — Joseph Smith allowed them to examine the plates.

Best,

Normandy


6 posted on 02/07/2011 3:15:32 AM PST by Normandy
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To: Normandy

Norman -
There are many statements given by the witnesses that indicate they only saw the angel and the plates in a visionary experience, not with their physical eyes. The plates were “seen” in two groups of four not all eight together as popularized in church paintings. Many of the witnesses ended up leaving the church and following other leaders and religions such as James Strang, the Shakers, Methodists, etc. By 1847 not a single one of the surviving eleven witnesses was part of the LDS Church. Most were excommunicated as well. In fact, most followed Strang as prophet.

To me that is not a lasting “witness” I would place my eternal future on.


27 posted on 02/07/2011 8:48:36 AM PST by Godzilla (3-7-77)
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To: Normandy

Duped by-the-changing-story Mormons placemarker


45 posted on 02/08/2011 9:35:51 AM PST by MHGinTN (Some, believing they can't be deceived, it's nigh impossible to convince them when they're deceived.)
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