Difference between revisions of "Godfrey: "Martin found a rock closely resembling the seerstone Joseph sometimes used in place of the interpreters and substituted it without the Prophet’s knowledge""

m ("Martin was "quite skeptical, as well as superstitious")
m
Line 11: Line 11:
 
After returning from a trip to Palmyra to settle his affairs, Martin began to transcribe. From April 12 to June 14, Joseph translated while Martin wrote, with only a curtain between them. On occasion they took breaks from the arduous task, sometimes going to the river and throwing stones. 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.<ref>Kenneth W. Godfrey, [http://www.lds.org/ensign/1988/01/a-new-prophet-and-a-new-scripture-the-coming-forth-of-the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng "A New Prophet and a New Scripture: The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon,"] ''Ensign'' (January 1988).</ref>
 
After returning from a trip to Palmyra to settle his affairs, Martin began to transcribe. From April 12 to June 14, Joseph translated while Martin wrote, with only a curtain between them. On occasion they took breaks from the arduous task, sometimes going to the river and throwing stones. 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.<ref>Kenneth W. Godfrey, [http://www.lds.org/ensign/1988/01/a-new-prophet-and-a-new-scripture-the-coming-forth-of-the-book-of-mormon?lang=eng "A New Prophet and a New Scripture: The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon,"] ''Ensign'' (January 1988).</ref>
 
</blockquote>
 
</blockquote>
 
 
==Martin Harris also went to an acknowledged expert to test Joseph's translation==
 
 
{{Main|l1=Martin Harris tests Joseph via Charles Anthon|Question:_Did_Charles_Anthon_validate_the_characters_that_Martin_Harris_brought_to_him_that_had_been_copied_from_the_Book_of_Mormon_plates%3F#Question:_Did_Charles_Anthon_validate_the_characters_that_Martin_Harris_brought_to_him_that_had_been_copied_from_the_Book_of_Mormon_plates.3F}}
 
 
=="Martin was "quite skeptical, as well as superstitious"==
 
 
One late, hostile reminiscence from Palmyra described Harris as "quite skeptical," but also "superstitious." What qualified Harris as "superstitious"? The author says:
 
: believing in miracles, wonderful dreams, spiritual interposition, special providences, &c.<ref>[James H. Reeves], "Old Newspapers--No. 24," ''Palmyra Courier'' (24 May 1872); in {{EMD|vol=2|pages=341}}</ref>
 
 
Thus, Harris' "superstition" comes from his belief in God's ability to reveal things and to act in the present day. This flew in the face of the idea that God had finished speaking or acting. Despite this, however, the hostile source still saw Harris as "quite skeptical." Thus, charges of "superstition" must be seen as a critique of Harris' religion views--that God could and did continue to take an active role in revealing and acting in the present--not an admission that Harris was foolish, or would believe "any old thing."
 
 
The same source continued:
 
 
: Yet only his this [believing Joseph Smith's teachings] was Martin deemed insane; on other subjects he exhibited all of his former clearness of brain; he could drive a good bargain, and manage his farming matters as well as ever....<ref>[James H. Reeves], "Old Newspapers--No. 24," ''Palmyra Courier'' (24 May 1872); in {{EMD|vol=2|pages=341-342}}</ref>
 
 
So, Harris' supposed gullibility applies only to his belief in Mormonism. This is part of what mystified his contemporaries--how could a man so skeptical and worldly-wise in business believe Joseph? But, their confusion demonstrates that Martin was ''not'' generally seen as gullible or an easy mark.
 
  
 
</onlyinclude>
 
</onlyinclude>

Revision as of 17:00, 30 April 2015

  1. REDIRECTTemplate:Test3

Godfrey: "Martin found a rock closely resembling the seerstone Joseph sometimes used in place of the interpreters and substituted it without the Prophet’s knowledge"

Martin was a shrewd farmer and businessman, and a man of some property. He often warred between belief and doubt. For example, Martin put Joseph to the test during the translation of the 116 pages with the seer stone. He repeatedly subjected Joseph's claims to empirical tests to detect deception or fraud. He came away from those experiences convinced that Joseph was truly able to translate the plates. He was so convinced, he was willing to suffer ridicule and committed significant financial resources to publishing the Book of Mormon.

Kenneth W. Godfrey, Ensign (January 1988):

After returning from a trip to Palmyra to settle his affairs, Martin began to transcribe. From April 12 to June 14, Joseph translated while Martin wrote, with only a curtain between them. On occasion they took breaks from the arduous task, sometimes going to the river and throwing stones. 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.[1]


Notes

  1. Kenneth W. Godfrey, "A New Prophet and a New Scripture: The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon," Ensign (January 1988).