Inside the Book of Mormon, following the introduction is the testimony of three witnesses who saw an angel descend from heaven, who showed them the plates in some detail, and that they heard the Voice of God declare that they were translated by the gift and power of God. - This is followed by the testimony of 8 more witness that they were shown the plates by Joseph Smith, and allowed to handle them, and that they do exist and appear to conform in every particular to the description given of them. - All of the Three Witnesses and three of the Eight Witnesses later left the Church. Only a few returned, but none ever denied his testimony of what he saw. - In the last year of his life, David Whitmer published this testimony in response to false accusations: “It is recorded in the American Encyclopaedia and the Encyclopaedia Britannica, that I, David Whitmer, have denied my testimony as one of the three witnesses to the divinity of the Book of Mormon, and that the other two witnesses, Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris, denied their testimony to that book. I will say once more to all mankind, that I have never at any time denied that testimony or any part thereof. I also testify to the world, that neither Oliver Cowdery nor Martin Harris ever at any time denied their testimony. They both died reaffirming the truth of the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon” (Address to All Believers in Christ [1887], 8; as quoted in B. H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of the Church, 1:145).

I'm sure it's exactly the same that the Christians can offer about the origins of their book of fantasy

There are two sides to the BOM the LDS side which we all know and the side they call anti-Mormon propaganda where they were able to find the books that Smiths passages were taken from also found events in the BOM never happened but discussing the BOM with a Mormon is a lost cause because as they say they are right and everyone else is wrong. OH well to each his own. Forget it I know your favorite two words "Prove it"

personally as a mormon i believe that god designed the circumstances surrounding the book of mormon to be such that there is no physical evidence or proof, thus requiring us to use faith and the guidance of the holy spirit to determine the truthfulness of the BOM, in other words don't be a doubting Thomas

Not a scrap. "Since the introduction of the Book of Mormon in 1830, both Mormon and non-Mormon archaeologists have studied its claims in reference to known archaeological evidence. Latter Day Saints generally believe that the Book of Mormon describes historical events; however, the existence of the civilizations and people described in the Book of Mormon is not accepted by mainstream historians or archaeologists." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeology_and_the_Book_of_Mormon Please see the embedded video.

Like so many other religious nutters: They Just KNOW it's true.