This is the third and final post regarding the Book of Mormon. This will focus on evidences as well as the arguments of skeptics, who claim it must be a fraud, wrought by the devil.
Joseph Smith was initially permitted to show the plates to three individuals. These three men were Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris and David Whitmer. Here is a link to their full testimony, whereas I will quote here only in part:
And we… testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true.
Later he was allowed to show the plates to eight other individuals, who added their witness. Click here for the full testimony. I include their words in part:
… Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken.
Each of these men stood by their testimonies to the day of their death. This is the evidence of witnesses. His wife Emma, a school teacher, gave her testimony as well. “My belief is that the Book of Mormon is of divine authenticity. I have not the slightest doubt of it.” After Joseph Smith had translated the plates and the witnesses had seen them, Joseph did not need them any longer. The angel Moroni appeared, and Joseph gave the gold plates back to him.
There are some questions as to the truthfulness of the claims of the Prophet Joseph. This is understandable, as it is an incredible claim. God appeared to a kid? New scriptures? The plates were returned to an angel? Surely not so, Joseph just wrote it himself. Here’s the deal: either the Book of Mormon is true or it isn’t. If the Book of Mormon is true then it is evidence that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and the New Testament Church of Christ has been restored to the earth, with priesthood authority directly from heaven. I’ve written an article on what all has been restored. For argument’s sake, let us explore the possibility that he (or any man) wrote it.
How did Joseph Smith, 23 at the time, create a book with hundreds of unique names and places, as well as detailed stories and events? Critics propose he was a creative genius who relied upon numerous books and other local resources to create the historical content of the Book of Mormon. However, there is not a solitary witness who claims to have seen Joseph with any of these alleged resources before the translation began. Besides, how did Joseph read all of these alleged resources, winnow out the irrelevant, keep the intricate facts straight as to who was in what place and when, and then dictate it by perfect memory? His wife Emma has said “If he had had anything of the kind he could not have concealed it from me.” He must not only have been a creative genius but also have had a photographic memory of prodigious proportions.
But that only accounts for the historical content. How did Joseph (or anyone else) produce a book that radiates with the Spirit, and where did he get such profound doctrine, much of which clarifies or contradicts the Christian beliefs of his time? For example, the Book of Mormon teaches, contrary to most Christian beliefs, that the Fall of Adam was a positive step forward (2 Ne 2:17-27). It also reveals the covenants made at baptism, which are not addressed in the Bible.
Where did he get the stunning sermon on faith in Alma 32? Or King Benjamin’s sermon on the Savior’s Atonement, perhaps the most remarkable sermon on this subject in all scripture? Or the allegory of the olive tree with all its complexity and doctrinal richness?
If Joseph were not a prophet, the critics must make the argument that he was also a theological genius. But if that were the case, one might ask: why was Joseph the only one in the 1,800 years following Christ’s ministry to produce such a breadth of unique and clarifying doctrines? It’s because it was revelation, not brilliance, that was the source of this book.
Even if Joseph was a creative and theological genius, with a photographic memory, none of that makes him a good writer. How did he interweave scores of names, places, and events into a harmonious whole without inconsistencies? How did he pen detailed war strategies, compose eloquent sermons, coin phrases that are memorized, quoted, and placed on refrigerators by millions of people, such as, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” or “Adam fell that men might be. Men are that they might have joy”. These are messages with a heartbeat—messages that live and breathe and inspire. To suggest that Joseph Smith at age 23, or any other man, possessed the skills necessary to write this monumental work in a single draft in approximately 65 working days is simply counter to the realities of life.
His own wife Emma stated, “Joseph Smith [as a young man] could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter; let alone dictate a book like the Book of Mormon.” His parents were poor farmers. They could only afford three years of formal schooling for him, roughly equivalent to a 3rd grade education.
Joseph claimed that the Book of Mormon was written on golden plates. This claim received unrelenting criticism in his day—for “everyone” knew that ancient histories were written on papyrus or parchment until years later, when metal plates with ancient writings were discovered. They also claimed the use of cement, as described in the Book of Mormon, was beyond the technical expertise of these early Americans—until cement structures were found in ancient America. The Book of Mormon mentions steel as having existed in 600 BC, which again everyone knew hadn’t been discovered yet, until in the 20th century scholars learned it was developed by the 7th century BC “at the very latest.” How do the critics now account for these and similar unlikely discoveries?
Critics believe the Book of Mormon must be some kind of Satanic hoax. But how does that make sense? In direct opposition to this assertion, this book has inspired millions to reject Satan and to live more Christ-like lives. As our Savior said when he was accused of using the power of Satan to cast out devils, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?” (Matt 12:24-28). The power of our adversary can never draw people closer to God. This is the ultimate evidence of its effects: people who read it draw closer to Christ.
Elder Tad Callister (from whom much of this article is drawn) talks of a friend’s experience with the Book of Mormon: “Initially, I wanted the Book of Mormon to be proven to me historically, geographically, linguistically, and culturally. But when I changed my focus to what it teaches about the gospel of Jesus Christ and His saving mission, I began to gain a testimony of its truthfulness.” If one will take the time to humbly read and ponder the Book of Mormon, as did his friend, and give ear to the sweet fruits of the Spirit, then he or she will eventually receive the desired witness.
Finally, I add my witness. I have spent decades studying the Book of Mormon and the Bible in their entirety. I feel the Spirit when I read one book like the other, and my intellect loves the harmony of the doctrine between the two. Thanks for taking the time to read this. If you would like to know more, head over to https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist