The Other Witness to the Gold Plates...

[_Bond...James Bond]

Recently I looked up the names of the witnesses to the Golden Plates and learned that besides the 3 and 8 it also says that Mary Whitmer also claimed to have seen the plates....anyone know why she isn't included with any of the other groups?

What also just struck me as unique was that she was the only woman to have seen the Plates (as the 3 and 8 were all men).

[_John Larsen]

Recently I looked up the names of the witnesses to the Golden Plates and learned that besides the 3 and 8 it also says that Mary Whitmer also claimed to have seen the plates....anyone know why she isn't included with any of the other groups?

What also just struck me as unique was that she was the only woman to have seen the Plates (as the 3 and 8 were all men).

To have more than 12 witnesses disturbs the numerological significance of the event. ;)

Didn't she claim to have a special visitation by Moroni outside of the Control of Joseph? To admit such things are possible, especially for women is dangerous.

[_TAK]

didn't Emma claim to have seen the plates too or at least held them?

[_Runtu]

didn't Emma claim to have seen the plates too or at least held them?

I think she said she moved them while they were covered.

[_Doctor Steuss]

Hardy's Reader's Edition Book of Mormon has a list of all of the other "witness" accounts that are outside of the standard 8 and 3.

[_cinepro]

Mary Whitmer, Peter Sr.'s wife, experienced her own miracle, according to David. Burdened with two extra persons in her household, plus Emma Smith, who soon joined Joseph in Fayette, Mrs. Whitmer began to feel the strain. Going to milk the cows one morning, she met an old man who said, "You have been very faithful and dilligent [sic] in your labors, but you are tired because of the increase of your toil, it is proper therefore that you should receive a witness that your faith may be strengthened." The old man then showed Mary Whitmer the plates, which had been hidden in the barn for safekeeping. David, John, and Peter Whitmer, Jr., each received a private revelation on his behalf like other friends of the Prophet earlier. In June Oliver baptized Peter Whitmer, Jr., and Joseph baptized David Whitmer and Hyrum Smith in Seneca Lake.

Richard L. Bushman, Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism, p.103

[_TAK]

didn't Emma claim to have seen the plates too or at least held them?

I think she said she moved them while they were covered.

that's right. .while dusting err something - all 60 or so lbs ..

[_Dr. Shades]

Cinepro:

What's Bushman's source or reference for that account?

[_SatanWasSetUp]

Mary Whitmer, Peter Sr.'s wife, experienced her own miracle, according to David. Burdened with two extra persons in her household, plus Emma Smith, who soon joined Joseph in Fayette, Mrs. Whitmer began to feel the strain. Going to milk the cows one morning, she met an old man who said, "You have been very faithful and dilligent [sic] in your labors, but you are tired because of the increase of your toil, it is proper therefore that you should receive a witness that your faith may be strengthened." The old man then showed Mary Whitmer the plates, which had been hidden in the barn for safekeeping. David, John, and Peter Whitmer, Jr., each received a private revelation on his behalf like other friends of the Prophet earlier. In June Oliver baptized Peter Whitmer, Jr., and Joseph baptized David Whitmer and Hyrum Smith in Seneca Lake.

Richard L. Bushman, Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism, p.103

I'm picturing Joseph Smith in an old-man costume.

[_Blixa]

Cinepro:

What's Bushman's source or reference for that account?

Brodie also relates this...I can't remember the source of the anecdote at the moment and am not near my copy. As she points out this was a spontaneous "viewing" utterly outside of Smith's "exhibitions" of the plates and so may have come as quite a (nice) surprise to him.