Essentials in Church History. Joseph Fielding Smith

by the power of God. The translation of them which you have seen is correct, and I command you to bear record of what you now see and hear.”

      Joseph Smith now left Oliver and David and went in search of Martin Harris. He found him at a considerable distance fervently petitioning the Lord in prayer. With earnestness he pleaded with Joseph to join him that he too might be blessed with a vision of the plates. Joseph readily consented, and before they had prayed very long the same vision burst upon their presence and they beheld the same messenger. The angel again turned the leaves one by one and the same scene was re-enacted. Martin Harris was overjoyed and cried out: “ ’Tis enough; ’tis enough; mine eyes have beheld; mine eyes have beheld!” Jumping up he shouted hosannah and praised the Lord.

      When they returned from this interview it was between three and four o’clock in the afternoon. The incident is related by the Prophet’s mother in the following words:

      “On coming in, Joseph threw himself down beside me, and exclaimed, ‘Father, mother, you do not know how happy I am: the Lord has now caused the plates to be shown to three more besides myself. They have seen an angel, who has testified to them, and they will have to bear witness to the truth of what I have said, for now they know for themselves, that I do not go about to deceive the people, and I feel as if I was relieved of a burden which was almost too heavy for me to bear; and it rejoices my soul, that I am not any longer to be entirely alone in the world. Upon this, Martin Harris came in; he seemed almost overcome with joy, and testified boldly to what he had both seen and heard. And so did David and Oliver, adding, that no tongue could express the joy of their hearts, and the greatness of the things which they had both seen and heard.”²

Testimony of the Three Witnesses

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      In accord with the instructions they received in the revelation and by direct command from the voice of the Lord when they viewed the plates, the three witnesses gave to the world their united testimony in writing. This testimony, together with the testimony of eight other witnesses who also beheld the plates, has been published in every copy of the Book of Mormon as a witness to the unbelieving world. Their testimony is as follows:

      “Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken. And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.

      Oliver Cowdery,

       David Whitmer,

       Martin Harris.”

Testimony of the Eight Witnesses

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      In addition to the testimony of the three witnesses, eight other witnesses were called to view the plates and to give testimony to the world, and became the “few according to the will of God, to bear testimony of his word unto the children of men.” These eight men did not obtain the same privilege as the three special witnesses, for it was not in the presence of an angel that they beheld the record, but they were shown the plates by Joseph Smith by command of the Lord. Their testimony is as follows:

      “Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen. And we lie not, God bearing witness of it.

      Christian Whitmer,

       Jacob Whitmer,

       Peter Whitmer, Jun.,

       John Whitmer,

       Hiram Page,

       Joseph Smith, Sen.,

       Hyrum Smith,

       Samuel H. Smith.”

Necessity of the Testimonies

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      In all ages of the world when the Lord has had a work to be performed he has raised up witnesses. In this manner his works are attested so that those who reject them will be left without an excuse. The justice of the Lord demands that this shall be done. The Lord commanded Moses, when in the wilderness, that no man should be condemned except it be on the testimony of two or three witnesses. “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established” (Deut. 19:15). The Savior himself bore witness to the justice and validity of this law when he contended with the Jews. Said He: “It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that beareth witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.” In this manner he condemned them for rejecting his testimony, which was attested by the scriptures and had the approval of his Father.

      If Joseph Smith had given no other testimony but his own, then he might justly have been condemned, for his testimony would not have been in keeping with the word of the Lord, but the testimony of three other men should be sufficient. Reinforced as that testimony is by the testimony of the eleven others, and by the witness which the book itself affords, the testimony given by Joseph Smith becomes binding on the world. All who reject it, the Lord said, shall be condemned, for the “testimony of two men is true,” provide they are truthful witnesses. The Book of Mormon declares that in “the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day” (Ether 5:4).

Validity of the Testimonies

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      The witnesses of the Book of Mormon were true and faithful to their testimony throughout their lives. The time came, however, when all three of the special witnesses became estranged from Joseph Smith and departed from the Church. Because of their spirit of rebellion against the Prophet and the work, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer were dealt with for their fellowship and excommunicated from