Why would Martin Harris, a prosperous man praised by many non-Mormons for his integrity throughout his life, continue to claim that he had seen the gold plates and an angel, when this only brought harm to him?
2007-03-09 06:23:38 · 14 answers · asked by Arthurpod 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Do you honestly think that's the way God works Mahal? In the Bible it says in the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses shall all my words be established.
2007-03-09 06:30:09 · update #1
Mahal, I suppose you also don't believe in God, unless he appeared to you. There are many things in religion which rely upon faith, including the existence of God, the truthfulness of Christ and His mission, etc. The fact that someone would no longer associate himself with a religion, but not be able to deny something he saw as factual is a very powerful witness. However, when it comes down to it, one's religious beliefe will require a personal witness and their faith.
2007-03-12 05:28:07 · answer #1 · answered by straightup 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think martin harris' wife did more harm to martin and the church and to joseph smith because She conspired to steal the First translations of the larger plates of brass, and hence we have the smaller version of the book of mormon. it was a coue 'de ta by the act of satan, and a brief victory for anti christian subltelty.
I think martin harris recognized how much evil his wife had visibly become when this thing happened.
Oh wait! this is a question for anti mormons to answer. D'oh.
and at the same time, was it his wife that stole the first translation work? i know it grieved Joseph Smith for a long season and he thought to despair of losing a heavenly resurrection. But God in his mercy gave him a second chance
2007-03-09 06:32:55 · answer #2 · answered by Priestcalling 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Three Witnesses all had a personal falling out with Joseph Smith. They all left the church. None of them ever denied their testimony, even when they could have profited by doing so.
Martin Harris took a page to a scholar in New York to verify. He was given a certificate that the symbols and translation were correct, but when the man was told it was from a sealed record, he tore up the document. This recalls the words of Isaiah 29:
11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
13 ¶ Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
2007-03-09 07:34:33 · answer #3 · answered by Isolde 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It did not bring harm to him. Martin Harris saw the gold plates, and never denied he did, even after he left the church a while later. This is because he knew that it was real. Does this seem very harmful to you?
2007-03-09 15:58:45 · answer #4 · answered by cdaae663 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Scooter Libby is a recent example of a man who has lied himself into prison and ruined his life when it wasn't necessary. It happens.
I'm sure when Martin first joined the others to tell this lie he didn't expect anything to come of it, but after a while found himself painted into a corner where if he recanted as others did, he would be admitting to the world that he was a fraud and a liar. It's possible his pride just would not accomodate a confession.
2007-03-09 06:28:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Because maybe he really thinks he did see them. But one sure test is does it's teachings fit in with the teachings of Christ. No, mormon teachings don't, I'm afraid. And in Rev. it sets a curse on anyone who adds anything to the bible like a book to read with the bible such as the writings of Martin Harris, Charles Russell and Mary Baker Eddy to name a few.
2007-03-09 06:38:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
i became right into a missionary in Australia for 2 years. it somewhat is because of the fact human beings could make up in spite of they decide on. maximum persons do no longer look into the credibility of the sources. it somewhat is Joseph Smiths haters htat initiate stuff like this. there are various necissary info to the question which you spoke of. For anybody who reads this what you need to truly ask isn't what adult adult males say approximately Joseph Smith (for anybody can say something) yet what does God say approximately Joseph Smith. Did God relatively decide on him to be a Prophet. human beings pass to non-credible sources to be taught in regards to the Prophet, the they could have long gone to God, who's the main precious source.
2016-12-18 18:51:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Joseph Smith is a charismatic fellow and he had people follow him. Have you heard the phrase "In for a penny, in for a pound"? That sums up Mr. Harris in a big way. If you read the story of his life and that of his wife, you will see that he was given the truth at home and his investment was questioned at every hand. (Wife, Mitchill, Anthon etc.)
2007-03-10 01:14:43 · answer #8 · answered by Buzz s 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Masochism is an invention of the darkness also. It's a very old trick to con people by taking on abuse, limited injury, or you have something in mind. Paper thin.
2007-03-09 06:28:18 · answer #9 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Why do you rely so heavily on personal testimony?
Just produce the plates! Have some competent linguists decypher them and translate them, and that can serve as evidence of their veracity.
2007-03-09 06:27:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋