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This is an unofficial page representing the beliefs and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
It is authored by Ken Jackson - a member of the Church from the Golden Ward,  Golden,Colorado.
Comments and questions about this page or about the Church, the Book of Mormon, or just to say Hi are welcomed.  I answer all letters and would love to visit with you to share my testimony or to help you better understand the marvelous work that is a second witness to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Write me directly anytime.    Ken Jackson
 "The Book of Mormon came like a theological thunderbolt on the stage of history—to be a second witness for the divinity of Jesus Christ “to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ” (Title page, Book of Mormon). Note the word convincing. The Bible often initiates and helps to sustain faith in Jesus, but the Book of Mormon is the convincer and the clarifier. Isn’t it ironical in this regard that there are some who still wonder if members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Christians?"

Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ (“‘All Hell Is Moved,’” p. 178.)


Moroni
The Testimonies of
the Book of Mormon
Witnesses

Introduction

Since its translation the Book of Mormon has sparked over 150 years of debate about its origins. In 1829 the Lord decreed that there would be witnesses to the plates so that it could be testified to all the world. In two separate instances the plates were revealed to a group of three and then of eight that they might see the plates and write their testimony of it. The following is the testimonies they left and also information about each of the witnesses.  Even though some of the men left the Church and were opposed to Joseph Smith, none ever denied their testimony.  In fact, the three witnesses all reaffirmed their testimonies just prior to their deaths.

The Testimony of Three Witnesses

Be it known unto all nations, kindred, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come; That we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken. And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. 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 an bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and
be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.

                                    The Testimony of Eight Witnesses

"Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That 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. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world, that which we have seen. And we lie not, God bearing witness
of it."

            Christian Whitmer
            Jacob Whitmer
            Peter Whitmer, Jun.
            John Whitmer
            Hiram Page
            Joseph Smith, Sen.
            Hyrum Smith
            Samuel H. Smith

We now became anxious to have that promise realized to us, which the angel that conferred upon us the Aaronic Priesthood had given us, viz., that provided we continued faithful, we should also have the Melchizedek
Priesthood, which holds the authority of the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

(The Prophet declared that the Melchizedek Priesthood was thereafter received under the hands of Peter, James and John, at a place along the banks of the Susquehanna River, between Harmony, Susquehanna County,
Pennsylvania, and Colesville, Broome County, New York.) 


My Own Testimony

I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1963.  I was 16 years old.  Since early in my childhood I felt a deep desire to "draw near unto Christ".  I was often deeply moved by what I determined to be religious experiences.  When I first heard of the "Mormons" I was intrigued.  I wanted to know more.  I was introduced to two well dressed young men not much older than me.  They sat before me in a humble attitude and opened our little meeting with prayer.  Even at that moment I was moved to tears - there was something different about what was
happening this time.  I was taught about Joseph Smith and how God had used him to usher in the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I was introduced to the Book of Mormon.  I began to eagerly read the book.  Soon I followed the admonition asked of all who earnestly seek to know the truth, the admonition of Moroni:
Moroni 10: Verse 4
 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Moroni 10: Verse 5
 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
I did as Moroni (pronounced Mow - row' - neye) had admonished and began to receive a personal testimony that grew as time went by and continues to grow today that this is the work of God.  I know as I live and breath that the Book of Mormon is true.  I know that the Book of Mormon works hand in hand with the King James version of the Holy Bible as "another witness of Jesus Christ".    I leave you this humble testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


Please visit my main page,   Have You Ever Wondered?   Questions such as:  Where did I come from?, What am I doing here on earth?,  Where do I go when I die?, Why are there so many churches - can they all be right?, and many more are ansered by modern day apostles and prophets, as well as other esteemed members  of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.   Have You Ever Wondered?
 


Jesus Christ


Who is Joseph Smith?
The Prophet Joseph Smith
"Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844), often referred to as the Prophet Joseph Smith, was the founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Encyclopedia of Mormonism"
 Joseph Smith: A Modern Witness for Christ
In 1820, young Joseph Smith prayed to know which church he should join. In answer to his
prayer, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. Through him they restored the
truth about the plan of God. Joseph Smith was a prophet and a powerful witness of Christ.
Read his story in his own words.

 Visions of Joseph Smith
"The Prophet Joseph Smith had his first vision at the age of fourteen while praying in a grove
of trees in western New York (see First Vision). The appearance of the Lord to him, like
that to Saul of Tarsus, was attended by a shining light from heaven (Acts 9:3). The Lord
spoke face-to-face with Joseph and called him to service. This was the first of a series of
visions Joseph Smith received, many of which were shared with other persons."
Encyclopedia of Mormonism.

 Teachings of Joseph Smith
"The written and spoken words of the revelations to Joseph Smith are clear, direct, and
unequivocal, yet his teachings are difficult to characterize or summarize, since they do not fit
easily into traditional theological categories, and they always presuppose that more can, and
probably will, be revealed by God." Encyclopedia of Mormonism.

 Writings of Joseph Smith
"The Prophet Joseph Smith's writing career began at age twenty-two when he commenced
 translation of the  Book of Mormon.  At his death seventeen years later, in 1844, he had left
 a substantial archive for the study of his life and the church he was instrumental in founding."
 Encyclopedia of Mormonism.

 The Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of the Bible
"Joseph Smith, the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, made a
"new translation" of the Bible, using the text of the King James Version   (KJV). This work
differs from the KJV in at least 3,410 verses and consists of additions, deletions,
rearrangements, and other alterations that cause it to vary not only from the KJV but from
other biblical texts." Encyclopedia of Mormonism.

 Carthage Jail
"The old jail in the town of Carthage, Illinois, seat of Hancock County, was the site of the
martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith on June 27, 1844, by a mob of approximately 150
men. Today it is a historical site of the Church and serves as a memorial to prophets of God
who suffered martyrs' death." Encyclopedia of Mormonism.

 Martyrdom of Hyrum and Joseph Smith
"The violent deaths of the Prophet Joseph Smith at the age of thirty-eight and his brother
Hyrum Smith (age forty-four), Associate President and patriarch of the Church, dramatically
ended the founding period of the LDS Church. On June 27, 1844, they were mobbed and
shot while confined at  Carthage Jail    in Hancock County, in western Illinois. Climaxing more
than two decades of persecution across several states, this event gave them an enduring
place as martyrs in the hearts of Latter-day Saints." Encyclopedia of Mormonism.

Source:   All About Mormons



Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon from Gold Plates shown to him, and later presented to him by the Angel Moroni.

(From the Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol.7)

The Plates

It is hard for us to realize today that for many years the idea of writing a sacred record on gold plates was considered just too funny for words and that the mere mention of the "Golden Bible" was enough to shock and scandalize the world. Today at least a hundred examples of ancient writing on metal plates are available, the latest discoveries being three gold plaques found in 1964 near an ancient shrine on the coast of Italy; they are covered with Punic and Etruscan writing and date from about 500 b.c. Punic, it will be recalled, is Phoenician, a language and script that flourished in Lehi's day a few miles from Jerusalem. It was also in 1964 that the writings on a thin gold plate from Sicily was identified as Hebrew; though the plate has been known since 1876, Hebrew was the last thing anybody expected.
The golden plates of Darius, discovered in 1938, which in their form and the manner of their preservation so strikingly resemble the plates described by Joseph Smith, were augmented by new findings in the 1950s; the contents of the latter plates, a pious mixture of religious declamation and history, are as suggestive of the Book of Mormon as their outward ppearance is of the plates. We have already spoken of the Copper Scrolls, riveted metal sheets, and noted how the purpose and spirit as well as the method of their production and concealment matches the record-keeping practices of the Nephites in every particular. Especially interesting is the provision that treasures "must be hidden away," that such treasures "would never be desecrated by profane use, "since" to use such goods for
nonreligious purposes was a heinous sin," and it was "dangerous for any but priests to handle." For this is a lesson that Samuel the Lamanite drives home: "For I will, saith the Lord, that they shall hide up their treasures unto me; and cursed be they who hide not up their treasures unto me; for none hideth up their treasures unto me save it be the righteous; and he that hideth not up his treasures unto me, cursed is he, and also the treasure, and none shall redeem it because of the curse of the land . . . [I] will hide up their treasures when they shall flee before their enemies; because they will not hide them up unto me,
cursed be they and also their treasure" (Helaman 13:19-20).


My photo taken at The Hill Cumorah - Palmyra, New York  July 1999
The Hill Cumorah


Joseph Smith

 
Joseph Smith's First Vision
 

Moroni's Visit
 

The Sacred Grove
 

Priesthood Restored
 

Witnesses
 

The Testimony of the Three Witnesses
 

The Testimony of the Eight Witnesses
 

The Church Established
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

The First Vision
Our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ Visit 14 Year old Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove


The Book of Mormon Timeline
The Book of Mormon Timeline

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