A message sent out by the folks at the NephiProject.com reminds me of the significance of Oliver Cowdery’s role as an eyewitness to the Book of Mormon. The message turns to October 1848, when Oliver went from his home in Tiffin, Ohio to Iowa to rejoin the Saints. At a conference on October 21st, Oliver Cowdery gave the following account regarding the Book of Mormon:
Friends and Brethren: My name is Cowdery, Oliver Cowdery. In the early history of this Church, I stood identified with her, and one in her councils. True it is that the gifts and callings of God are without repentance; not because I was better than the rest of mankind was I called, to fulfill the purposes of God. He called me to a high and holy calling. I wrote with my own pen, the entire Book of Mormon (save a few pages) as it fell from the lips of the Prophet Joseph Smith, as he translated it by the gift and power of God, by means of the Urim and Thummim, or, as it is called by the book, “holy interpreters.” I beheld with my eyes, and handled with my hands, the gold plates from which it was translated. I also saw with my eyes and handled with my hands the “holy interpreters.” The book is true. Sidney Rigdon did not write it; Mr. Spaulding did not write it; I wrote it myself as it fell from the lips of the Prophet. It contains the everlasting gospel, and came forth to the children of men in fulfillment of the revelations of John, where he says he saw an angel come with the everlasting gospel to preach to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. It contains principles of salvation; and if you, my hearers, will walk by its light and obey its precepts, you will be saved with an everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God on high
(Joseph Fielding Smith, The Restoration of All Things, p.114)
Oliver was just one of many who saw the plates and knew they were real and of divine origin. None of these witnesses ever retracted their testimony of the Book of Mormon, in spite of some leaving the Church after becoming upset with later events or with Joseph Smith.
Jeff,
You are on fire the last few days with these great posts of evidences of the BoM! Unfortunately, the DNA evidence makes all this other evidence moot, since we all know the DNA evidence proves the BoM completely wrong. 😉
Oh well. Thanks anyhow.
Oliver Cowdery’s testimony is very compelling indeed, as is that of the other Witnesses.
Some might be interested to know that the very latest issue of the FARMS Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, just off the press, features a substantial article by Richard Lloyd Anderson (the premier authority on the Witnesses) in which he confronts efforts by Grant Palmer and Dan Vogel to explain the experience of the Eight Witnesses away as merely subjective or hallucinatory.
Professor Anderson’s Investigating the Book of Mormon Witnesses remains the classic and indispensable overall treatment of the subject.
From what I have read from Oliver, I would not trust him. He knew JS very well and still accused him of adultery. Great trusted friend.
There is an enormous difference between a falling out between friends and eye-witness testimony. Especially in this case, where Oliver’s reasons for accusing Joseph are complex.
A falling out between friends?
Uh, Oliver Cowdery brought to light the relationship that Joseph was having with some young women. I would hardly call that a good friend. Nor someone that could be trusted
Oliver’s testimony as a witness, coupled with the others, along with his consistency throughout his life, lead one to realize that any fallacious innuendo that may have occurred between JS and himself is just not relevant. Oliver’s path in life ultimately led him back, to what degree and standing with the Lord, I do not know — that is irrelevant also.
The key to all this is that Oliver knew what he witnessed, knew that the Lord himself knew, and was appropriately true to that knowledge.
Despite his ‘falling out’ for whatever pointless reason, Oliver, ultimately, was true to himself and the proclamation of testimony he gave to the world.
That is relevant.
Ah, Anon@6:39, concerning your argument about Oliver Cowdery’s loyalty, to paraphrase Inigo Montoya on Princess Bride, “I don’t think it means what we think it means.” I get this funny little impression that you’re not REALLY arguing about Cowdery’s loyalty. You’ve got issues with polygamy (the whole “young women” phrase has a nasty connotation, wouldn’t you agree)?
Well, I don’t want to threadjack here, so I will forego a lengthy discussion of the complicated picture of what Oliver knew, what Joseph did, and what historical evidence we have for both. I will note that credible evidence suggests that Oliver was engaged in polygamy as well during this time (Brigham Young in Wilford Woodruff journal, 26 August 1857, HDC; Brigham Young in Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1857, 439 (based on Woodruff’s journal entry with added detail), HDC; Heber C. Kimball (comment made 24 May 1868) in “Record of the Provo Stake of Zion,” HDC; Brigham Young in Joseph F. Smith diary, 9 October 1869, HDC; Brigham Young in Charles Walker Diary, 26 July 1872, HDC; Joseph F. Smith, 7 July 1878, in JD 20:29; George Q. Cannon in Juvenile Instructor 16 (15 September 1881): 206; and Joseph F. Smith (comment made 4 March 1883) in “Utah Stake Historical Record, 1877–1888,” HDC.).
Additionally, the “young woman” innuendo is a simplification of the way Joseph’s marriages actually worked, at least in regards to the younger ones. Helen Kimball, for example, never even moved in with Joseph.
Just some thoughts.
The “so what” of it all:
Oliver had plenty of “reasons” (excuses, depending on whom you listen to) to be upset with the church. He furthermore had all the “reasons” in the world to deny the whole fiasco as a bizarre chapter in his life history whose last pages were being written. But he did not. That should tell us something about his convictions, if not even the event’s veracity.
See Scott Faurling’s essay on the “Return of Oliver” for more info. It can be found on farms.byu.edu
The Greatest Witness of the Book of Mormon?
The greatest witness is He, of who the book is witness.
Actually, the greatest witness is the Holy Spirit. But that’s almost semantics.
Might I suggest that what you (or Faulring) term “credible evidence” for Cowdery’s involvement in polygamy is pretty thin and calls for skepticism.
The earliest source, Woodruff’s August 26, 1857, journal article, states: “Presidet Young staid 3+ hours in Compiling his History. He remarked that the revelation upon a plurality of wives was given to Joseph Smith. He revealed it to Oliver Cowdery alone upon the solem pledge that He would not reveal it or act upon it but He did act upon it in a secret manner & that was the cause of his overthrow.”
How does Young know this? Did he hear it from Joseph Smith? Or from Oliver Cowdery? Or from Church members with a motive to smear Cowdery’s name? Or the town gossip? He doesn’t say.
Walker, I apologize, I did not intend to write women, but woman. Namely Fanny Alger. It was Joseph’s relationship to her that brought about the charge of adultery. The reasons for excommunication were several and Oliver’s exposing that relationship was just one of the several.
Yes, I agree, the young women, does have a nasty connotation. I think the whole thing was a nasty affair. No pun intended. 🙂
Thank you Jon. I commend you for your citation of evidence and tough questioning.
The real question is: would Brigham Young believe some wild rumors running around about Oliver and then repeat them to Woodruff w/o any qualification? If it was common knowledge amongst the townspeople or other members, I would wonder the other documentation is? Perhaps it’s there (you’d be suprised what you can find even in published materials–nothing explosive, but certainly interesting). Considering that Oliver had essentially given up the issue when he rejoined the Church, I think it’s fair to say that his later opposition was more a case of bitterness than of moral indignation.
And as far as the “young women” issue goes, my point was not the number but the undue emphasis on the age. The history is squeamish enough; we don’t need to make more so by insinuating things about Joseph that didn’t happen. Helen Kimball was lined up w/Joseph by her father just so Heber could be related to Joseph! That should indicate a certain level of acceptance in marrying young. If not, we should expect Heber to be having heartburn over the issue–which he didn’t (at least over Helen; Vilate was a different issue).
As Jon’s evidence implies, if Oliver was revealing something about Fanny, he was doing so with duplicity.
No worries though. He came back later–and that’s what counts in the end.
The real question is: would Brigham Young believe some wild rumors running around about Oliver and then repeat them to Woodruff w/o any qualification? If it was common knowledge amongst the townspeople or other members, I would wonder the other documentation is? Perhaps it’s there (you’d be suprised what you can find even in published materials–nothing explosive, but certainly interesting).
I think it’s irresponsible to tar a man based on (third-hand, fourth-hand, fifth-hand?) sources dated 20, 30, or 40 years after the alleged fact. When Cowdery was tried for his membership, why wasn’t he charged with adultery or unlawful polygamy?
Joseph F. Smith was not even alive when these events supposedly happened, and he is one of the sources.
That threw me for a loop as well. I don’t understand where this charge now comes from that Oliver was having an adulterous affair. He was not charged with it during his ex. He only spoke out to his bosom friend when he thought he was in the wrong. And that was one of the reasons for the excommunication. I don’t think it fair to rewite history that way. Oliver seemed to have Joseph’s best interests in mind when he counciled him regarding Fanny.
I wouldn’t call this “tarring” a man any more than I would the examination some of Joseph’s more human traits. Nor would I call it rewriting history (which tends to smack of apologetics). If that’s rewriting history, that’s all historians do! Just because someone questions the common understanding of an event does not make that person guilty of historical tarring and feathering.
Nevertheless, after looking more carefully, I would have to concede that this evidence does leave something to be desired. However, I wouldn’t dispose of it just yet. First we would have to see if all the documentation came, in one way or another, from the same source. If so, then we have cause to doubt the source’s credibility. HOwever, if numerous individuals attested to it independently (which, with the obvious exception of Joseph F. Smith), then we have reason to believe that the charge is correct.
If O.C. had participated, he was likely just censured at the time, Joseph Smith viewing it as a non-exc. offense; after all, he did write the “Article on Marriage” in 1835 proclaiming monogamy to be the way of the church. However, the W.W. entry is tricky, since Woodruff mentions that Cowdery’s indulgence was “the cause of his overthrow.” Perhaps Young was connecting O.C.’s later apostasy with the initial germ of it bred during O.C’s polygamous indulgence. Hmmm…Still questions left to be asked.
I think we ought to give Cowdery the same benefit of the doubt we grant to Joseph Smith.
Does anyone have the reference, (I think it’s either in JS’s journals, or in the History of the Church) where he said that when he told Oliver of the revelation on plural marriage, Oliver was more eager to practice it than he was?
I think all of us, including myself, need to be more charitable towards Oliver Cowdery.
His history in the church shows that he was highly favored of the Lord: being permitted to translate for at least a little, having Moroni present the plates (and I think the other artifacts too, such as the sword of Laban) to him, Martin Harris, and David Whitmer, and witnessing the glorious events in the Kirtland temple.
Such grand outpourings and witnesses come only after one has exercised much faith.
Both his fall from grace and his return to the saints should be lessons for all of us. No matter what testimonies we’ve received, we need to always watch and pray so we don’t fall. And the door is always open to those who want to come back.
Both Oliver Cowdery and Thomas B. Marsh (and maybe Sidney Rigdon?) stood in line before Brigham Young to become the president and prophet of the church after Joseph Smith.
Oliver Cowdery’s life is a lesson of both good things, and bad things.
I’m not sure of the ref right off hand. I’ll look it–might be interesting.
That being said, I agree with that, Bookslinger, believe it or not. I saw a simplification of facts on Joseph’s plural marriage and Oliver’s motives in revealing it, and I wanted to correct that. However, I should have stated my general support for Oliver earlier on so that I didn’t sound like a historical mudslinger. Quite honestly, I care very little over the opinions people have on evidence, as long as they actually have the evidence.
If Oliver came back, almost everyone can come back.
Good heavens! I wandered back to look again at this page, and all sorts of things have appeared.
I’m amazed that people can put so much stock in the testimony of eye-witnesses. If J smith’s BoM were the only multiply witnessed “miracle” in history, this might carry more weight. It isn’t, and it doesn’t. On the thread I just linked I mentioned several such examples within Christianity.
Here is something that is more compelling than so-called eyewitnesses:
1) Joseph Smith was a person of low moral character.
2) The BoM had never been heard of before it was “revealed” to Joseph. (This has happened before, but generally the manuscript hangs around long enough afterwards for people to be comfortable that it really existed.) After he “translated” it, the original document was whisked away by an angel, so we have no text to examine. (How do we know Joe translated it correctly? What if he put the U&T on upside down, or backwards?)
3) Joe’s other attempts at “translation” were fraudulent. The Kinderhook plates were fakes, and the “Book of Abraham” was an Egyptian funerary papyrus. Why would he get this one right? And how about that “grammar” he was writing?
There’s a lot of wacky people around. Couldn’t Oliver,like Joe, have been one of them?
More assertions–little to no evidence. The Kinderhook fraud was a total bust for those wishing to fool the prophet; as one of them noted: “We understood Jo Smith said [the plates] would make a book of 1200 pages but he would not agree to translate them until they were sent to the Antiquarian society at Philadelphia, France, and England.” Also, the source comes from a lone journal entry by Clayton–ironic that RfP should rely so heavily on one “eyewitness” when she castigates us for relying on eleven.
The Book of Abraham assertion is also a gross simplification (see Jeff’s page for a more complete coverage). But since RfP isn’t interested in proving Mormonism incorrect anyway, well, I guess s/he has succeeded in that regard 🙂
“Joseph Smith was a person of low moral character.”
False conclusion.
Sorry for the threadjack–
Just a knee-jack reaction I guess 🙂
“Sorry for the threadjack–“
No problem, I almost said something myself. You did better than I could of anyhow.
It also gets me that she acts as if all the witnesses had a spiritual manifestation (and thus untrustworthy.) The 8 saw the plates in a physical sense; they touched them, hefted them, examined the characters on them, turned the pages of them….
How do we dismiss the witness of the eight?
Also interesting that it would be so easy for her to disprove Mormonism, yet she keeps throwing out all the tired, anti-Mormon arguments. Surely someone with her self-confessed brains could come up with something new.
Actually, nothing new is necessary. The same old tired arguments still work.
I have looked at Jeff’s pages, and though they’re not convincing, I’m fascinated by the castles in the air he’s capable of building…as I mentioned HERE (click).
The Kinderhook plates, or a portion of them, still exist, unlike the mysterious “gold plates” of the BoM. Clayton’s testimony was credible enough that the story is found in the Mormon “History of the Church”–and let’s not lose sight of the fact that it’s a lot more sensible to trust a witness who reported someone who claimed powers of translation was busy translating than a witness who claimed to have seen otherworldly visitors.
And what about that Egyptian grammar?
And what about all those witnessed non-Mormon miracles?
RfP–
You’ve undergone a change in your time away from us. Whatever happened to the good ole’ days when you were just interested in understanding how people prop an intellectually indefensible religion? Decided that approach was no longer provoking, eh? Your “what about” question are indeed quite betraying of your approach Ah well, at least you’ve assumed the role of a stock anti-Mormon–shotgun questions, oversimplification (History of the Church is DEFINITELY not definitive, even if President Hinckley himself had compiled–not to mention that we have the quotation of one of the conspirators Kinderhook conspirators who stated that Smith was skeptical–see my post), and of course, there’s your everlasting skepticism of “eyewitnesses” which you have now employed when it is convenient. When someone constantly shifts ground according to rhetorical expediency, I see no purpose in discoursing with him/her.
As I said before, good luck in your search for truth (which I hope you do seek). Obviously you don’t find Mormonism attractive. Fine by me. Be the best the can and the world will be better for it.
RfP said: “I’m amazed that people can put so much stock in the testimony of eye-witnesses.”
RfP also said: “it’s a lot more sensible to trust a witness who reported someone who claimed powers of translation was busy translating than a witness who claimed to have seen otherworldly visitors.”
I really wish RfP would quit attacking the New Testament like that:
“Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things cwhich• are most surely believed among us,
Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.”
–Luke 1:1-4
“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”
–2 Peter 1:16
What isn’t clear to me about RfP is why it chooses a thread about the Book of Mormon to attack the Bible.
“generally the manuscript hangs around long enough afterwards for people to be comfortable that it really existed”
Gosh, if you’ll just point me to all those original manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments I’d appreciate it.
There seems to be a misapprehension that the opposite of obfuscation is oversimplification. It is not my fault that the evidence against J Smith’s character is clear and can be expressed concisely. We are, after all, talking about a man who was not only caught out in his fraudulent attempts to “translate” ancient documents, but had a history of criminal activity and was a sexual predator as well as what we would call today a paedophile. These narcissistic traits unfortunately were not unique to Smith, we have seen them time and time again from those who would manipulate religious sensibilities for their own ends: viz. Father Divine, David Koresh, et al.
if you’ll just point me to all those original manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments I’d appreciate it.
One of the chief traps I warn against falling into is the argument by analogy, which we see here in its implicit and hence perhaps most dangerous form. The earliest manuscripts of portion of the New Testament date back to before the 4th century, and become more numerous as time goes on. There are no manuscripts of the BoM, only a purported “translation” by a man whose credibility is extremely suspect.
Likewise, it appears that Mormons are unable or unwilling to see any difference in kind or degree between witnesses who claim to have seen an ordinary event (X is doing something at his desk) and a supernatural one (X is conversing with angels again). If anyone has difficulty seeing this, let me suggest a simple experiment. First, call your local emergency number and tell them your house is on fire. You will probably get a response within a few hours, possibly a day or two. The following week, phone them again and tell them you are being pestered by John the Baptist, or by an angel with gold plates. The only visit you are likely to get is from men in white coats. The credibility of witnesses relates not only to their character but to the content of their testimony.
Now I would like to hear about the Egyptian grammar. And again, how to Mormons explain witnesses to non-Mormon “miracles, ” which are legion?
“as well as what we would call today a paedophile”
I would be careful when you throw around such categorizations. A pedophile (as we spell it here in stupid America) is defined as a person who has sexual feelings for prepubescent children. This is not the case with Joseph Smith and I think it is an awful (and false) aspersion to make about him.
rfp: Since you still assert that an eyewitness unreliable if he claims to have witnessed something supernatural, I have no choice but to assume that you find the entire Bible unreliable.
So again, I ask, why are you focusing your attacks on Mormonism when your argument is against Christianity and Judaism?