“Lesson 15—Doctrine and Covenants 5: ‘I Know of a Surety That They Are True,’” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual (2025)
“Doctrine and Covenants 5,” Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual
Lesson 15: Doctrine and Covenants 3-5
Doctrine and Covenants 5
“I Know of a Surety That They Are True”
The Lord reassured Martin Harris as he sought additional proof that Joseph Smith had the gold plates. This lesson is intended to help students recognize witnesses the Lord has provided to help them gain a personal testimony of the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ and of Joseph Smith’s calling as God’s prophet.
Possible Learning Activities
Martin Harris’s dilemma
Give students an opportunity to evaluate their testimonies of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. Pondering the following scenario and questions could help them accomplish this. Students could share some of their answers with the class.
You could also show “Compelling Witness,” found at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 0:00 to 0:37.
Imagine someone held a trial about whether or not Joseph Smith actually had the gold plates in his possession.
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How comfortable would you feel testifying of the Book of Mormon as the word of God and Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the Restoration? Why?
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What would you say?
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What would you present as evidence to support your case?
Sharing or summarizing the following background information can help students better understand how to apply Doctrine and Covenants 5 to their own unique circumstances.
Lucy Harris, the wife of Martin Harris, was upset about the time and money her husband was dedicating to the publication of the Book of Mormon. She filed a legal complaint against Joseph Smith and gathered several people who were willing to testify that he had lied about the existence of the plates. Martin was warned that if he did not join them in testifying against Joseph, Martin could also be sent to prison. Though Martin had previously been a scribe for Joseph, had shown characters from the plates to scholars to verify their antiquity, and had lost 116 pages of the original manuscript, Martin still sought a further witness of the reality of the gold plates. He traveled to Joseph Smith’s home, where Joseph inquired of the Lord and received the revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 5.
As you study Doctrine and Covenants 5, seek the Holy Ghost to help confirm what you already know about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Also seek ways to strengthen your testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored Church.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 5:1–3, looking for how the Lord responded to Martin Harris.
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Why do you think the Lord does not prove the authenticity of the Book of Mormon by allowing the plates to be shown to the world?
Although Martin was not allowed to see the gold plates at that time, this revelation strengthened him in a way that enabled him to bear powerful testimony of the Prophet. In this lesson, you will see that the Lord has provided witnesses to help each of us gain our own testimony of Joseph Smith as a prophet of God and the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ.
Evidence from the Lord
Consider dividing the class into thirds and assigning each a different “witness” to study on their own using the handout below. After sufficient time, students could compare and discuss with their group what they have learned.
You could also label three separate envelopes as “Witness #1,” “Witness #2,” and “Witness #3.” Fill each envelope with multiple copies of the corresponding portion of the handout. Distribute them to each group to study.
Witnesses
Witness #1
The words of the Lord
Joseph Smith was commanded not to show the gold plates to the world (see Doctrine and Covenants 5:3). Read Doctrine and Covenants 5:6–10, looking for what Joseph was allowed to share.
You may want to mark a phrase the Lord repeats in verses 5, 6, and 7.
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Why do you think the Lord is more concerned about us believing in and hearkening to His words in the Book of Mormon than He is about us knowing that the plates existed?
Referring to the Book of Mormon, President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) taught:
The evidence for its truth, for its validity in a world that is prone to demand evidence, lies not in archaeology or anthropology, though these may be helpful to some. It lies not in word research or historical analysis, though these may be confirmatory. … The test of its truth lies in reading it. It is a book of God. (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Four Cornerstones of Faith,” Ensign, Feb. 2004, 6)
Take a few minutes to ponder your experience studying and being taught from the Book of Mormon. Think about how your study has impacted your life. You might want to record some of your thoughts in your journal.
Witness #2
The testimony of three servants
Read Doctrine and Covenants 5:11–15, looking for who the Lord would eventually allow to see the plates.
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What did you see in these verses that could make the testimonies of the Three Witnesses powerful?
Later, Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer would see the gold plates and testify of their reality. You will learn more about this event when you study Doctrine and Covenants 17.
Referring to the Three Witnesses, President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:
Their testimony stands uncontradicted by any other witnesses. Reject it one may, but how does one explain three men of good character uniting and persisting in this published testimony to the end of their lives in the face of great ridicule and other personal disadvantage? Like the Book of Mormon itself, there is no better explanation than is given in the testimony itself, the solemn statement of good and honest men who told what they saw. (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Witness: Martin Harris,” Ensign or Liahona, May 1999, 36)
Consider reading “The Testimony of Three Witnesses” at the beginning of the Book of Mormon or making a list of people who have testified to you that the Book of Mormon is true. Think of how their testimony has strengthened yours.
Witness #3
The Holy Ghost
Read Doctrine and Covenants 5:16 and Moroni 10:4–5. Identify how God reveals the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon to His children.
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What are some ways the Spirit might testify to someone of the Book of Mormon’s truthfulness?
Glenn L. Pace, who served as the Presiding Bishop, said:
There is no other way to gain a testimony but through the witness of the Holy Ghost. You can rely on nothing else. … We have numerous scriptural examples of how pointless a physical manifestation can be without the accompanying receipt of the witness of the Holy Ghost. Conversion comes not by physical manifestations from heaven. (Glenn L. Pace, “The Elusive Balance,” New Era, Mar. 1989, 49)
Make a list of reasons why you think a witness from the Holy Ghost, a member of the Godhead, is more important than physical evidence that something is true. Consider including any witnesses you feel you have received through the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true.
When students are done studying and discussing their assigned witness, invite them to identify one or more representatives from their group to present the following information to the class:
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Explain the witness given by the Lord that you studied with your group.
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Share examples from the lists created by your group members.
You could invite all students to add their insights and testimony to what their classmates have shared.
You could watch the remainder of the video “Compelling Witness” from time code 0:37 to 7:46.
Following the revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 5, Martin boldly testified in court of Joseph Smith’s character and the reality of the gold plates. After hearing Martin’s testimony and others, the judge dismissed the case against Joseph Smith.
Share your thoughts and testimony of the truths in this lesson.