I watched the video and really wonder what all the hubbub is about. With all the build up, I was expecting something more interesting.
I noted that Holland said Joseph provided a witness/testimony to the guards while in prison. I was a bit confused as to whether this was at a time for re-reading that Ether passage or not. When exactly was the private moment again?
Regardless, many people believe their own words, writings, advice, especially the core message of it. That’s why they write or speak them!
Typically, the arguments used here (private words of comfort, witnesses dying before recanting) ignore other possibilities. Is it not typical, psychologically, for someone who has become deeply invested in something, even something that began as a lie, to stick to it even harder the deeper they are invested in it? Certainly the Smiths were very deeply invested in the BoM. As for the other witnesses, few testified to angels, and only some to even seeing the plates, IIRC. Could not fakes have convinced simple people, particularly relatives? What about threats? These are other alternatives.
Given the similarity to other historical religious sects (most notably Islam), given the nature of how the Adversary works spreading corruption and untruths among truths in often-discernible patterns through the ages, and given the Biblical admonitions against trusting in angels, I think it more likely there is indeed a spiritual component. One that could easily feign truth, and one foretold and prophesied. But it is far from a true spirit. Smithians always seem to ignore this possibility.
As for Tolkien quotes, since I like him (and find that he alone demonstrates one man can easily have enough creativity to write the BoM, since his own creation was far more elegant):
“Many that live deserve death. And some die that deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then be not too eager to deal out death in the name of justice, fearing for your own safety. Even the wise cannot see all ends.”
“All that we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”
“He should not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.”
“I have no help to send, therefore I must go myself.”
“Few can foresee whither their road will lead them, till they come to its end.”
“The deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.”
“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”
“Little by little, one travels far.”
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
“His house was perfect, whether you liked food, or sleep, or work, or story-telling, or singing, or just sitting and thinking, best, or a pleasant mixture of them all.”
