NOM

I'm reading a book about the Salem Witch Trials. One of the controversies was that they allowed 'spectral evidence.' This is defined as 'testimony that the accused witches spirit (i.e. spectre) appeared to the witness in a dream or vision or as an animal such as a black cat or wolf. The dream or vision was admitted as evidence. Thus witnesses (who were often also the accusers) would testify that "Goody Proctor bit, pinched and almost choked me," and it would be taken as evidence that the accused were responsible. Often two or more witnesses would concur on spectral evidence. I'm reminded of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon concurring on the D&C 76 vision. I'm also reminded of the description of "My spiritual eyes" seeing the gold plates, or other things. I'm not done with the book, but it's fascinating how spectral evidence seemed to multiply.

Refresh my memory, is the D&C 76 thing where Joseph said "Are you seeing what I am seeing!!" Sidney said, "Uh, yeah. Totally. I am so seeing what you are seeing!" Because that happened with Martin Harris and the 3 witnesses.

There are cases all over the world of mass hysteria. It is almost always teen girls who are stressed to the point of break down. Then when one snaps, the group snaps. Lots of screaming, fainting, seizures, hysteria. They often report seeing hallucinations of demons, dark shadows, sinister looking men. The funny part about the hallucinations is that several of the girls will seem to have had identical hallucinations. It happens most often when the culture is superstitious and believes in demons, devils, witches. 50 years ago or so, I read something that really examined the whole Salem Witch Trials, and it said that a case of mass hysteria was probably what started the whole thing. And that the hallucinations were so real that the hysteria victims honestly believed it, and would then testify. Gradually, as people learned that witch accusations were a good way to get rid of enemies or widows whose land you wanted, it changed from honest hallucinations to totally false accusations. Anyway, interesting take, because mass hysteria still happens today. And seeing as I had ancestors involved in the Salem Witch trials, it is something that has always kind of interested me.

Emower wrote: ↑Thu Aug 29, 2019 4:38 pm Refresh my memory, is the D&C 76 thing where Joseph said "Are you seeing what I am seeing!!" Sidney said, "Uh, yeah. Totally. I am so seeing what you are seeing!" Because that happened with Martin Harris and the 3 witnesses.

Yes.

Do you hear what I do?
Yes, we do say the
Inmates of Clarendon Asylum.
It was Joseph whispering
Sweet nothings to one of
The wives. The wife of a member
Gone to England on a mission.
It's a miracle! A miracle we say.