“Witnesses of the Book of Mormon,” New Era, Apr. 2013, 36–37
Witnesses of the Book of Mormon
Photo illustration by Welden C. Andersen
Our Heavenly Father uses multiple witnesses to testify of truth (see 2 Corinthians 13:1). The same is true with the Book of Mormon. At the beginning of the Book of Mormon, we have the testimony of Joseph Smith, the Testimony of Three Witnesses, and the Testimony of Eight Witnesses—12 voices coming together to testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and another testament of Jesus Christ.
You may not have seen the gold plates in person, but you can receive your own testimony of the Book of Mormon through the Holy Ghost each time you read, study, and pray (see Moroni 10:4–5). And then you can add your witness of the Book of Mormon each time you bear your testimony of it.
This month, consider sharing your testimony with your family or friends, writing it in the front of a copy of the Book of Mormon to give to someone, or recording it at right and adding it to your journal.
Testimony of Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith Jr., by Alvin Gittins
“I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”
Joseph Smith (in the introduction to the Book of Mormon)
Testimony of Three Witnesses
An Angel Showing the Gold Plates to Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer, © 1988 by William Maughan
“We, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record. … 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.”
Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Martin Harris
Testimony of Eight Witnesses
Eight Witnesses View the Book of Mormon Plates, © by Dale Kilbourn
“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.”
Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer Jr., John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith Sr., Hyrum Smith, Samuel H. Smith
My Testimony of the Book of Mormon
