What the Witnesses Witnessed

D&C 17:1, 3-4, 6; “Behold, I say unto you, that you must rely upon my word, which if you do with full purpose of heart, you shall have a view of the plates, and also of the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim, which were given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord face to face…3 And after that you have obtained faith, and have seen them with your eyes, you shall testify of them, by the power of God; 4 And this you shall do that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., may not be destroyed, that I may bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men in this work. 6 And he has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true.”

Revelation given to Cowdery, Whitmer and Harris in Fayette, NY in June 1829.  History of the Church 1:52-57. 

This is the all important introduction of who saw what when.  The reality of what the three witnesses saw doesn’t match up with what the average Mormon thinks happened.  These three men didn’t physically see the plates or the breastplate, they didn’t physically see the sword of Laban, nor were they able to keep their testimonies for the rest of their lives.  Each of these fellows was ex-communicated from the only true church on the face of the earth.

http://lifeafterministry.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/book-of-mormon-witnesses/

 In addition to their sketchy testimonies we have our favorite 2 for 1 deals.  The Book of Mormon has proven to be false in verse six making this a false prophecy.