Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) are generally aware of the three witnesses to the plates that contained the sacred record now published as The Book of Mormon. Less well known is the story of Mary Whitmer, who became the fourth witness, and the only woman, to be priveledged to see the actual plates. Her inspiring story has been told in a student produced film made at Brigham Young University and now released on DVD with two other excellent student films about pioneer women with great faith. FOURTH WITNESS: THE MARY WHITMER STORY is only 22 minutes long -- It is beautiful written, directed, photographed, scored and acted. This film not only informs, but at the same time touches the heart. Mary Whitmer cheerfully sacrificed everything at her means to help the Prophet Joseph Smith work on the translation of the sacred plates that were published as The Book of Mormon. Because of her faith and good works, she was priveledged to actually see the plates of gold that the sacred record had been recorded on. This film will touch and inspire.
The other two films, ELIZA AND I, about the pioneer poet Eliza R. Snow (Directed by then student, Richard Dutcher, before making such feature-length films as GOD'S ARMY and BRIGHAM CITY), and WOMAN, THE PIONEER, with its tribute to the strength of pioneer women, makes for 105 minutes of inspiring viewing. The DVD has been released under the title, FOURTH WITNESS and should be available at any outlet that specializes in LDS related items, such as Deseret Book and Seagull Books & Tapes. This is well worth purchasing. OUTSTANDING!
