Martin's Beliefs After Mormonism - The CES Letter: A Closer Look

Red Sea in 2 Nephi 19:1

CES Letter Core Question

Why does 2 Nephi 19:1 mention the Red Sea which was 250 miles away?

CES Letter Claim

After Joseph’s death, Harris continued this earlier pattern by joining and leaving 5 more different sects

CES Letter, Page 90

After his excommunication, Martin was associated with the following groups, all of whom accepted the Book of Mormon as scripture:

Parrish-Boynton
Rebaptism by LDS missionary (1842)
Strangites (1846)
William McLellin’s abortive reorganization (1847–48)
Gladdenites
Return to LDS Church (1870)

Martin also had some sympathy for the Shakers’ view of on-going revelation, but did not adopt many of their practices and tenants. Click here

Additional Resources:

Martin Harris had five religions after Mormonism—Some claim that Martin Harris was unstable or flighty because he had five religions after he was excommunicated in 1838

Martin Harris and the Shakers—Some claim that Martin Harris' testimony is unreliable because he associated with the Shakers after his excommunication in 1838

Tangible Restoration: The Eye Witnesses of The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon Witnesses: Evidence for The Book of Mormon

Book of Mormon Witnesses, Part 1: Motives (PDF) by Michael Ash

Book of Mormon Witnesses, Part 2: Oliver Cowdery (PDF) by Michael Ash

Book of Mormon Witnesses, Part 3: Martin Harris (PDF) by Michael Ash

Book of Mormon Witnesses, Part 4: David Whitmer (PFD) by Michael Ash

Explaining Away the Book of Mormon Witnesses (2004 FAIR Conference) by Richard L. Anderson

Tangible Restoration: The Witnesses and What They Experienced (PDF) (2006 FAIR Conference) by Daniel C. Peterson

The Cowdery Controversies (PDF) (2007 FAIR Conference) by Larry Morris

The Testimony of Eight by Scott Gordon

Faith and Reason 39: Hidden Records, Michael R. Ash

Faith and Reason 7: Book of Mormon Witnesses, Michael R. Ash