Can One go to Heaven Obeying the Book of Mormon?

THE “WITNESSES” OF THE BOOK OF MORMON

            Located at the front of every Book of Mormon is a written testimony supposedly signed by Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris.  They supposedly saw the “gold plates” first hand and according to Mormon beliefs corroborated Smith’s revelation.  Mormon officials and members vow that these testimonies have never changed.  However, an investigation will show otherwise.  Relevant is the fact that credible witnesses must have sound judgment, not be easily swayed, their character and reputation must be unquestionable, and all statements must agree over time.  Otherwise they are untrustworthy.  Consider that all three witnesses were excommunicated from the Mormon Church at different times.  Two of the three later returned, but their testimony could not be trusted.  All three accounts varied over time.  (Groat)

Eight other witnesses are also listed in the front of the Book of Mormon.  What is important to realize is that they were all either family members or close friends of the Smith and Whitmer family.  All eight apostatized from the LDS Church.  By 1847 none were a part of it.  All eight had questionable accounts outside of what the Book of Mormon lists.  They were known to be superstitious, believing in divining rods and magic.  Later on they all said that they saw the plates with “eyes of faith” but never actually saw the tangible plates.  Smith even referred to them at one point as counterfeiters.

David Whitmer wrote,

If you believe my testimony to the Book of Mormon; if you believe that God spake to us three witnesses by his own voice, then I tell you that in June, 1838, God spake to me again by his own voice from the heavens, and told me to separate myself from among the Latter-Day Saints, for as they sought to do unto me, so should it be done unto them.” (Whitmer, An Address to All Believers in Christ)

Contemporaries of Martin Harris described him as having unstable religious convictions.  (Groat)