[Normandy]

This is a weak — nonexistent — argument against the the Book of Mormon. It doesn’t follow that if someone made a replica of Joseph Smith’s face, that Joseph Smith should have made a replica (brass rubbing) of the plates.

The maker of this video may not have been aware that Joseph was under strict command not to show the plates to anyone, except for witnesses under certain conditions.

If you need proof of the book of Mormon, that proof has been supplied by God. In the front of each copy of the Book of Mormon you can read the testimony of three witnesses who saw the plates, saw the angel, and heard the voice of God commanding them to bear record of what they had witnessed.

On a separate occasion Joseph Smith showed the plates to eight other witnesses who also recorded their testimony.

Both accounts can be read here:
http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/introduction?lang=eng

[Colofornian]

The maker of this video may not have been aware that Joseph was under strict command not to show the plates to anyone, except for witnesses under certain conditions.

If you make a copy of something -- and keep it private for as long as you live -- as instructed...that's not going against such instructions.

As for your claims of the "3 witnesses," Godzilla's done a great job in other threads dissecting such Lds claims. (Perhaps he can jump in)

[aMorePerfectUnion]

"On a separate occasion Joseph Smith showed the plates to eight other witnesses who also recorded their testimony."

NO. Normandy, no one ever saw the plates. Ever. Some were allowed to "heft" them inside a bag. No one ever physically saw them.

No "Witness" Saw the Plates

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Significant details & problems that most LDS are not aware of.

The following two essays provide a very good analysis of the arguments against the witnesses by critics. Note: these essays are very similar with many common elements. Please do not skip reading the following essays as the information presented below is for the most part, in addition to what's presented in those two essays.

http://www.irr.org/mit/bom-wit-pt1.html

http://www.exmormon.org/file9.htm

Here are a few key points from the essays listed above.

1. The witnesses' experiences may have only been visionary in nature. There are many statements given by the witnesses that indicate they only saw the angel and the plates in a visionary experience. Why would people need to see real, physical plates in a vision or a real angel that was physically on the earth? There are also several statements saying that the only time they saw the plates was when the plates were covered in a cloth or tow frock.
2. The witnesses did not all see the plates or angel at the same time. Only David Whitmer and perhaps Oliver Cowdery saw the angel together. Martin Harris removed himself from the group and did not see the angel until perhaps three days later (Anthony Metcalf, Ten Years Before the Mast, n.d., microfilm copy, p. 70-71). There are conflicting accounts regarding the 8 witnesses. At least one account has the plates seen in two groups of four, not all eight together, as popularized in church paintings. Why is this significant? Any magician will tell you that it is easier to deceive people in smaller groups.
3. David Whitmer said "If you believe my testimony to the Book of Mormon; if you believe that God spake to us three witnesses by his own voice, then I tell you that in June, 1838, God spake to me again by his own voice from the heavens, and told me to separate myself from among the Latter-day Saints, for as they sought to do unto me, so should it be done unto them." So which statement was David Whitmer lying about or had been mistaken about? Either way he doesn't sound like a completely trustworthy witness. Note: LDS apologist rebuttal to this issue here and a critic's response here.
4. All the witnesses had close ties to Joseph and his family. Some like Martin Harris had a substantial financial investment in the success of the Book of Mormon.
5. These men lived in the early 1800s and believed in magical things like many people did during that time period such as divining rods, second sight, magic, dreams, seer stones, etc. Some of the witnesses, especially Martin Harris, were easily swayed by tales of the supernatural, especially in a religious context.
6. 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.
7. Of the witnesses that left the church, most believed that Joseph was at best a fallen prophet, the church changed its doctrines in error and changed revelations against God's will.
8. The witnesses, who have been heralded as good, honest, Abe Lincoln-type of men were later called liars, counterfeiters, thieves, etc. by Joseph Smith himself.
9. The "testimony of the witnesses" is similar to testimonials which were commonly included in books etc. in those days to help spur sales. And of course, the BOM's producers originally intended to sell copies for $1.75 each.
10. All three witnesses believed that God Himself had told them (through Joseph Smith) that they had been specially chosen to testify to the world that they had seen the angel and the plates –– if they had enough faith. Martin Harris was even told the exact words he must use: Joseph Smith said he had a revelation in which the Lord commanded Harris to say, “I have seen the things which the Lord hath shown unto Joseph Smith Jun., and I know of a surety that they are true, for I have seen them.” And just to clinch the command, God threatened Martin Harris, saying, “But if he deny this he will break the covenant which he has before covenanted with me, and behold, he is condemned.” A personal promise (and a threat of condemnation) coming directly from God is bound to have a powerful influence on a person’s thinking!

    Click here to read more

[caww]

The Book of Mormon is bogus....is there some fanciful reason Mormons can’t see that although Joseph Smith lived in the 19th century he choose to write in 17th century English. I mean come on this isn’t rocket science!

[Elsie]

The maker of this video may not have been aware that Joseph was under strict command not to show the plates to anyone, except for witnesses under certain conditions.

Yup; just like Moses!

No one ever saw those stone tablets that were WRITTEN ON BY THE HAND OF GOD; either.

[Elsie]

Both accounts can be read here:

How about them TESTIMONIES up at post #39?

Wanna just IGNORE them, as usual?

[Elsie]

...that Joseph Smith should have made a replica...

But, we KNOW from HISTORY that he DID make REPLICAs of the 'caractors' on the 'plates', and they were PROVEN to be bogus!

The PROOF is right there in the IGNORED reply; #41.