“Witnesses See the Book of Mormon Plates,” Doctrine and Covenants Stories (2024)
“Witnesses See the Book of Mormon Plates,” Doctrine and Covenants Stories
March–September 1829
Witnesses See the Book of Mormon Plates
Bearing testimony to the world
Joseph, Emma, and Oliver kept translating the gold plates at the Smith home in Pennsylvania. But people in their town wanted to stop them. Oliver had a friend named David Whitmer who lived in New York. Oliver asked David if they could move in with the Whitmer family to finish the translation.
Saints, 1:68
David and his family agreed. They welcomed Joseph, Emma, and Oliver into their home. Now they could work on the translation in peace. There were many people living in the Whitmer home. That meant there was a lot of work to do, especially for David’s mother, Mary.
Saints, 1:68–70
One day, while Mary was working, the angel Moroni visited her. He said that he knew all the extra work was making her tired. He wanted to strengthen her faith. He opened a bag and pulled out the gold plates. He turned the pages and showed Mary the writing. He promised Mary that she would be blessed.
Saints, 1:70–71
Some people did not believe the plates were real. Joseph had obeyed the Lord’s command not to show the plates to anyone. The Lord said He would let three more witnesses see the plates. David Whitmer, Martin Harris, and Oliver Cowdery asked if they could be the witnesses. The Lord said they could.
Doctrine and Covenants 5:11–12; 17; Saints, 1:73
Joseph, Martin, Oliver, and David went into the woods. They knelt and took turns asking God if they could see the plates, but nothing happened.
Saints, 1:73
Martin Harris felt that he was the reason their prayer wasn’t being answered. Martin left, and the others kept praying.
Saints, 1:73
Then an angel appeared in a bright light. He showed Oliver and David the gold plates and the writing on them. They heard God’s voice say that Joseph had translated the plates by the power of God and that the translation was right. God also said they should tell everyone what they had seen and heard.
“The Testimony of Three Witnesses”; Saints, 1:73–74
Joseph went to find Martin. He was still praying. Joseph prayed with him. Then the angel appeared and showed the plates to Martin, just as he had to Oliver and David.
Saints, 1:74
Next, Joseph went to find his parents, who were visiting Mary Whitmer. He told them how happy he was that other people had seen the plates. Now the witnesses could tell people that Joseph was telling the truth. Martin told everyone how happy he was that God allowed him to be one of the witnesses.
Saints, 1:74–75
A few days later, the Lord told Joseph to show the gold plates to eight more people—his father, two of his brothers, four of David’s brothers, and David’s brother-in-law. They got to hold the plates and turn the pages. They knew the plates were real.
“The Testimony of Eight Witnesses”; Saints, 1:75
The Book of Mormon translation was now finished. Joseph gave the gold plates back to the angel Moroni. Now it was time to print copies of the book so everyone could read it and learn more about Jesus Christ.
Saints, 1:75–76
It cost a lot of money to print the Book of Mormon. Martin Harris gave up part of his farm to pay for it. He did this because he knew the Book of Mormon is true. Every copy of the book has the testimony of Martin and the other witnesses for all to read. The witnesses never denied their testimony.