{"id":20772,"date":"2012-06-01T20:01:21","date_gmt":"2012-06-02T01:01:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/?p=20772"},"modified":"2012-06-01T20:01:21","modified_gmt":"2012-06-02T01:01:21","slug":"who-authored-the-three-witness-statement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/2012\/06\/who-authored-the-three-witness-statement\/","title":{"rendered":"Who authored the three-witness statement?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>I have always assumed that the three-witness statement was a part of the text of the Book of Mormon, that its language was the same as the English language found in the Book of Mormon proper. The eight-witness statement, on the other hand, has been a little more problematic since it\u00a0has three instances of the decidedly legalistic phrase \u201cthe\u00a0said Smith\u201d as well as the dubious reference (in the original version) to Joseph Smith as \u201cthe author and proprietor of this work\u201d. In\u00a0this post, I deal with the three-witness statement. In a related post, I will treat the eight-witness statement and argue that it was constructed in a completely different way.<\/p>\n

In the recently published Joseph Smith Histories, 1832-1844<\/em>, as part of the Joseph Smith Papers, there is a note on page 321 that makes the following statement about the authorship of the three-witness statement:<\/p>\n

The earliest copy of the testimony that follows is found in the printer\u2019s manuscript of the\u00a0Book of Mormon, in the handwriting of Oliver Cowdery. Cowdery likely was the author of the statement, given his writing abilities and similarities between the document and Cowdery\u2019s 1829 correspondence to Joseph Smith and\u00a0Hyrum Smith.<\/p>\n

This statement assumes, first of all, that Joseph himself did not have the writing ability to author the three-witness statement \u2013 or perhaps more importantly, it excludes the possibility that Joseph could have received the three-witness statement as a revealed text. In addition, there are these purported similarities with Cowdery\u2019s letter writing in 1829 (when he was serving as scribe for Joseph Smith), but unfortunately there are no actual examples given of these similarities, nor is there any reference to some independent research that has been done on this issue.<\/p>\n

In looking at the actual language of the three-witness statement, it becomes very clear that nearly every phrasal and clausal expression can be found within the Book of Mormon text itself. In fact, many are virtually identical. Moreover, the closest instances of similarity in usage are found throughout the text, not congregated in one section. Eight of the similarities come from two places in the text where the three witnesses are referred to (in 2 Nephi 27 and Ether 5). Yet\u00a0the clear majority of similarities are found scattered throughout the text.<\/p>\n

There are only three expressions that appear to be unique to the three-witness statement \u2013\u00a0 namely, two third-person imperative phrases (\u201cbe it known\u201d and \u201cthe honor be\u201d) plus the noun phrase \u201cthe engravings thereon\u201d (the noun honor<\/em> and the adverbial thereon<\/em> do occur in the text). The evidence is overwhelming that the language in the three-witness statement is no different in kind from the Book of Mormon language. I\u00a0would argue that all these specific parallels show that the source for the English-language translation of the Book of Mormon is also the source for the three-witness statement. In other words, it was most likely revealed word for word to Joseph Smith, just like the book itself.<\/p>\n

In the Yale edition of the Book of Mormon (The Book of Mormon: The Earliest Text<\/em>, Yale University Press, 2009), I refer to the witness statements as extracanonical, which means that the text is canonical but not part of the original text of the Book of Mormon per se. The findings of the analysis here supports the designation of the three-witness statement as extracanonical.<\/p>\n

In the following analysis of the phrases and expressions in the three-witness statement, I\u00a0provide from the Book of Mormon text the closest examples with the language of the three-witness statement (the overlap in the language is bolded). I exclude as possible examples cases where the most similar expression occurs in the eight-witness statement or in biblical quotes in the Book of Mormon.<\/p>\n

\u201cthe testimony of three witnesses\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
er0504<\/td>\nand the testimony of three <\/strong>and this work … and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2n2908<\/td>\nthe testimony of <\/strong>two nations is a witness unto you that I am God<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
er0504<\/td>\nand in the mouth of three witnesses <\/strong>shall these things be established<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cbe it known unto all nations kindreds tongues and people\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
3n2725<\/td>\nfor by them shall their works be known unto<\/strong> men<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1n0518<\/td>\nthat these plates of brass should go forth unto all nations kindreds tongues and people<\/strong> which were of his seed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cunto whom this work shall come\u201d [this work<\/em> is equivalent to this record<\/em> ]<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
mn0708<\/td>\nnot only in this record <\/strong>but also in the record which shall come unto <\/strong>the Gentiles which record shall come <\/strong>from the Gentiles unto<\/strong> you<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
er0504<\/td>\nand the testimony of three and this work <\/strong>… and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cthat we through the grace of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
2n1024<\/td>\nit is only in and through the grace of God<\/strong> that ye are saved<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mi0702<\/td>\nand it is by the grace of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ<\/strong> and his holy will … that I am permitted to speak unto you at this time<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201chave seen the plates which contain this record\u201d [in the example the verb shew<\/em> implies see<\/em>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
er0502<\/td>\nye may be privileged that ye may shew the plates <\/strong>unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mh0103<\/td>\nwere it not for these plates which contain these records <\/strong>and these commandments \/ we must have suffered in ignorance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cwhich is a record of the people of Nephi and also of the Lamanites his brethren\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
title page<\/td>\nit is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi and also of the Lamanites<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
aa1914<\/td>\nnow Ammon seeing the Spirit of the Lord poured out … upon the Lamanites his brethren<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cand also of the people of Jared which came from the tower\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
title page<\/td>\nfrom the book of Ether also<\/strong> \/ which is a record of the people of Jared<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
hn0628<\/td>\nand it was that same being which led on the people which came from <\/strong>that tower<\/strong> into this land<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cof which hath been spoken\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
aa2716<\/td>\nhe and his brethren met Alma over in the place of which has been spoken<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cand we also know that they have been translated\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
1n1728<\/td>\nand<\/strong> ye also know that <\/strong>they were fed with manna in the wilderness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mh0812<\/td>\nfor I am desirous that these records should be translated <\/strong>into our language<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cby the gift and power of God\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
oi0120<\/td>\nand he did interpret the engravings by the gift and power of God<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cfor his voice hath declared it unto us\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
aa1322<\/td>\nyea and the voice of the Lord <\/strong>by the mouth of angels doth declare it unto <\/strong>all nations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cwherefore we know of a surety that the work is true\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
er0503<\/td>\nwherefore<\/strong> they shall know of a surety that <\/strong>these things are true<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
er0502<\/td>\nthat ye may shew the plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cand we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
3n1202<\/td>\nye shall testify that <\/strong>ye have seen <\/strong>me<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1n1323<\/td>\nand it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates <\/strong>of brass<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cand they have been shewn unto us by the power of God\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
hn1515<\/td>\nhad the mighty works been shewn unto them which have been shewn unto <\/strong>you<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
er0503<\/td>\nand unto<\/strong> three shall they be shewn by the power of God<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cand not of man\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
aa3308<\/td>\nwhen they cry unto thee to be heard of thee and not of men<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cand we declare with words of soberness\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
aa4231<\/td>\ndeclare<\/strong> the word with<\/strong> truth and soberness<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
jb0605<\/td>\nI beseech of you in words of soberness<\/strong> that ye would repent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cthat an angel of God came down from heaven\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
aa1009<\/td>\nwherefore I know he is a holy man because it was said by an angel of God<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
hn0545<\/td>\nthe Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cand he brought and laid before our eyes\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
3n2308<\/td>\nand when Nephi had brought <\/strong>forth the records and laid<\/strong> them before<\/strong> him<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mn0508<\/td>\nsuch an awful scene of blood and carnage as was laid before mine eyes<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cthat we beheld and saw the plates and the engravings thereon\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
1n1220<\/td>\nI beheld and saw <\/strong>the people of the seed of my brethren<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2n2719<\/td>\nthe Lord God will deliver again the<\/strong> book and the <\/strong>words there<\/strong>of<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mh0811<\/td>\nand there is no one in the land that is able to interpret the language or the engravings<\/strong> that are on the plates<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
aa3704<\/td>\nthey shall know of the mysteries contained thereon<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cand we know that it is by the grace of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
mi0702<\/td>\nand it is by the grace of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ<\/strong> and his holy will … that I am permitted to speak unto you at this time<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cthat we beheld and bare record that these things are true\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
1n1010<\/td>\nhe should behold and bear record <\/strong>that he had baptized the Lamb of God<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
er0411<\/td>\nand he shall know and bear record <\/strong>\/ for because of my Spirit he shall know that these things are true<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cand it is marvelous in our eyes\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
mn0916<\/td>\nare<\/strong> not the things that God hath wrought marvelous in our eyes<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cnevertheless the voice of the Lord commanded us\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1n1609<\/td>\nthe voice of the Lord <\/strong>spake unto my father by night and commanded<\/strong> him that on the morrow he should take his journey into the wilderness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cthat we should bear record of it\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3n1721<\/td>\nand the multitude bare record of it<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cwherefore to be obedient unto the commandments of God\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
2n0531<\/td>\nwherefore<\/strong> I Nephi to be obedient to the commandments of<\/strong> the Lord went and made these plates<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1n2230<\/td>\nand they testify that a man must be obedient to the commandments of God<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cwe bear testimony of these things\u201d [the noun testimony<\/em> implies the verb testify<\/em>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
2n2713<\/td>\nand there is none other which shall view it save it be a few according to the will of God to bear testimony of<\/strong> his word unto the children of men<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
hn0822<\/td>\nNephi also testified of these things<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cand we know that if we are faithful in Christ\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
2n2713<\/td>\nI know that if <\/strong>ye shall follow the Son with full purpose of heart<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mi0925<\/td>\nmy son \/ be faithful in Christ<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cwe shall rid our garments of the blood of all men\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
mn0935<\/td>\nthat we <\/strong>may rid our garments of the blood of <\/strong>our brethren<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cand be found spotless before the judgment seat of Christ\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
title page<\/td>\nthat ye may be found spotless <\/strong>at the judgment seat of Christ<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
er1238<\/td>\nuntil we shall meet before the judgment seat of Christ<\/strong> where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cand shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens\u201d [him<\/em> refers to God]<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3n2840<\/td>\nand to be received into the kingdom of the Father \/ to go no more out but to dwell with God eternally in the heavens<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u201cand the honor be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost which is one God \/ Amen\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
aa6036<\/td>\nI seek not for honor<\/strong> of the world \/ but for the glory of my God<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mn0707<\/td>\nto sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above unto the Father and <\/strong>unto the Son and <\/strong>unto the Holy Ghost which is one God<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2n3121<\/td>\nthis is the doctrine of Christ and the only and true doctrine of the Father and <\/strong>of the Son and <\/strong>of the Holy Ghost which is one God <\/strong>without end \/ Amen<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Royal Skousen is editor of the Book of Mormon Critical Text Project and professor of linguistics and English language at Brigham Young University.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I have always assumed that the three-witness statement was a part of the text of the Book of Mormon, that its language was the same as the English language found in the Book of Mormon proper. The eight-witness statement, on the other hand, has been a little more problematic since it\u00a0has three instances of the decidedly legalistic phrase \u201cthe\u00a0said Smith\u201d as well as the dubious reference (in the original version) to Joseph Smith as \u201cthe author and proprietor of this work\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":136,"featured_media":20779,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20772","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-corn"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/bofmgp.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20772","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/136"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20772"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20772\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20782,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20772\/revisions\/20782"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20772"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20772"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesandseasons.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20772"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}