![FairMormon Logo](https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021_fair_logo_primary.png)
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
SpencerMarsh (talk | contribs) (→Martin was actually quite skeptical in the beginning of Joseph's ability to translate) |
m (→Martin was actually quite skeptical in the beginning of Joseph's ability to translate: bot - tag "Questions") |
||
Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
[[es:Pregunta: ¿Fue Martin Harris testigo crédulos que simplemente creer cualquier cosa que se le dijo?]] | [[es:Pregunta: ¿Fue Martin Harris testigo crédulos que simplemente creer cualquier cosa que se le dijo?]] | ||
[[pt:Pergunta: Martin Harris era uma testemunha ingênua que simplesmente acreditar em qualquer coisa que foi dito?]] | [[pt:Pergunta: Martin Harris era uma testemunha ingênua que simplesmente acreditar em qualquer coisa que foi dito?]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Questions]] |
Martin recalled his first discussions with Joseph about the claims regarding plates:
Even in religious matters then, Martin was keenly aware of the risk of mistake and deception.
There are four specific things that Martin did in order to show (and obviously eventually allay) his own skepticism and the skepticism of his family.
During the translation of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith often used a small seer stone. On one occasion, Martin Harris switched the stone for another stone of the same appearance. Martin reports what happened:
Once Martin found a rock closely resembling the seerstone Joseph sometimes used in place of the interpreters and substituted it without the Prophet’s knowledge. When the translation resumed, Joseph paused for a long time and then exclaimed, “Martin, what is the matter, all is as dark as Egypt.” Martin then confessed that he wished to “stop the mouths of fools” who told him that the Prophet memorized sentences and merely repeated them. [3]
Here again, Martin conducted a clever "blinded test" of Joseph's ability, and Joseph passed--convincing Martin further.
The story of Martin Harris' desire to take the 116 pages of Book of Mormon manuscript to convince his family and friends that Joseph was a genuine prophet is also well known. Here again, Martin sought to use empirical proof (the manuscript itself) as evidence that Joseph could do what he claimed.
Whatever critics claim about Martin's supposed "superstitions" is significantly weakened in light of the fact that Martin had four naturalistic opportunities to prove the authenticity of the Book of Mormon and its translator to himself.
Notes
FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We are a volunteer organization. We invite you to give back.
Donate Now