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 a 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 How can anyone read that testimony and not be moved by it? How can anyone read it and not at least read the material described?^[1]Legrand Richards said something very similar: “How could any lover of truth, any man or woman desiring to serve the Lord as he would like to be served, listen to such a testimony as that and … Continue reading

“translated by the gift and power of God”

Though the exact method Joseph used to received the translation is not essential, it is interesting. And I think some aspects of it are rather informative. The Lord schooled Joseph Smith in his gift of seership long before giving him the plates. Likely he wanted Joseph ready for when that time came, since there would be little time once the work commenced. Though it is fairly commonly known that Joseph Smith had both the Urimm and Thummim, and also a seer stone, it’s not very well known how he obtained the seer stone, nor its incredible usefulness in day-to-day activities^[2]There is an interesting little anecdote recorded by Martin Harris of an event that took place while visiting Joseph: “I was at the house of his father in Manchester, two miles south of Palmyra … Continue reading. Actually, he had at least two seer stones that we know of.^[8]http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Translation/Joseph%27s_use_of_the_seer_stone_as_a_youth

In this process of using the stones, the Lord sometimes corrected Joseph in his use of the stones. In the end, Joseph found far more use in the stones for the Lord’s purposes, and many revelations and translations came with the help of the seer stones. It also appears that as Joseph became more familiar with the principle of revelation, and better acquainted with the Holy Ghost, the seer stones and Urim and Thummim became less useful to him.^[3]Orson Pratt records: “While this thought passed through the speaker’s mind, Joseph, as if he read his thoughts, looked up and explained that the Lord gave him the Urim and Thummim when he … Continue reading There are more detailed descriptions of the translation process given by Elder Russell M. Nelson in a talk given in general conference in 1993.

“the work is true.”

Bearing testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon is the major purpose the three witnesses. But an even more important testimony of the Book of Mormon is your testimony. The testimony of each individual. In fact, the power of the book is so real that it is difficult for those who honestly read it with a sincere heart to deny its spiritual power.^[4]Jeffrey R. Holland: I testify that one cannot come to full faith in this latter-day work—and thereby find the fullest measure of peace and comfort in these, our times—until he or she embraces the … Continue reading Though the three witnesses all wavered, believing at different times that Joseph Smith had lost his position as prophet, they never faultered in their testimonies of the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon. Two of them even eventually came back to the church, but none even once denied the heavenly truth of the Book of Mormon. They dared not do it. They knew it was true. ^[9]Henry B. Eyring: “Those you love can have more than the physical evidence given those witnesses by what they saw and heard. Those three witnesses had something more, something we all need. The … Continue reading

Oliver Cowdery

Oliver was the chief scribe for the major part of the translation of the Book of Mormon, and even had the opportunity to do a little bit of translating himself. In 1838, he had a fallout with the prophet, but found great joy in returning much later.^[5]Elder Clifford E. Young (Assistant to the the Twelve) said: “I have always been impressed, as you have, in reading of Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer. It was through the instrumentality of Phineas … Continue reading

David Whitmer

Though David Whitmer never returned to the church, he stood staunchly by his testimony throughout his life. “Unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people unto whom these presence shall come— “It having been represented by one John Murphy of Polo [Caldwell County], Missouri, that I had in a conversation with him last summer, denied my testimony as one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon— “To the end thereof, that he may understand me now if he did not then, and that the world may know the truth, I wish now, standing as it were, in the very sunset of life, and in the fear of God, once for all to make this public statement: “That I have never at any time, denied that testimony or any part thereof, which has so long since been published with that book, as one of the three witnesses. “Those who know me best, will know that I have always adhered to that testimony—And that no man may be misled or doubt my present views in regard to the same, I do now again affirm the truth of all my statements as then made and published. “He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear: It was no delusion. What is written is written, and he that readeth let him understand . . . “And if any man doubt should he not carefully and honestly read and understand the same before presuming to sit in judgment, and condemning the light which shineth in darkness, and showeth the way to eternal life, as pointed out by the hand of God? “In the Spirit of Christ who hath said follow thou me; for ‘I am the life, the light, and the way.’ I submit this statement to the world. God, in whom I trust being my judge, as to the sincerity of my motives and the faith and hope that is in me of eternal life. “My sincere desire is that the world may be benefited by the plain and simple statement of the truth. “And all the honor be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen. David Whitmer, Sr.” While on a mission to the eastern states in 1878, Elders Orson Pratt and Joseph F. Smith ran into David Whitmer, who was at that time 73 years old. Delighted to run into one of the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon, the elders talked with him for some time. In that discussion, they asked David about the instance of receiving the witness of the plates and the angel. Elder Pratt asked him, “Do you remember what time you saw the plates?” David Whitmer: It was in June, 1829—the latter part of the month, and the eight witnesses saw them, I think, the next day or the day after. (i.e. one or two days after). Joseph showed them the plates himself, but the angel showed us (the three witnesses) the plates, as I suppose to fulfil the words of the book itself. Martin Harris was not with us at this time, he obtained a view of them afterwards, (the same day). Joseph, Oliver and myself were together when I saw them. We not only saw the plates of the Book of Mormon but also the brass plates, the plates of the Book of Ether, the plates containing the records of the wickedness and secret combinations of the people of the world down to the time of their being engraved, and many other plates. The fact is it was just as though Joseph, Oliver and I were sitting just here on a log, when we were overshadowed by a light, it was not like the light of the sun nor like that of a fire, but more glorious and beautiful. It extended away round us, I cannot tell how far, but in the midst of this light about as far off as he sits (pointing to John C. Whitmer sitting a few feet from him), there appeared as it were, a table with many records or plates upon it, besides the plates of the Book of Mormon, also the Sword of Laban, the directors—i.e., the ball which Lehi had, and the Interpreters. I saw them just as plain as I see this bed (striking the bed beside him with his hand), and I heard the voice of the Lord, as distinctly as I ever heard anything in my life, declaring that the records of the plates of the Book of Mormon were translated by the gift and power of God.” Elder O.P.—Did you see the Angel at this time? D.W.—Yes; he stood before us, our testimony as recorded in the Book of Mormon is strictly and absolutely true, just as it is there written.^[6]“Report of Elders Orson Pratt and Joseph F. Smith,” Millennial Star 40, 9 Dec 1878

Martin Harris

Sometimes we give Martin Harris a bad rap, because he did turn against Joseph Smith for a time, and leave the church. And though he came back later, he never returned to the full stature and position from which he began. The best talk I’ve ever heard on Martin Harris was given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, and I share that video here: I think we owe it to Martin to put more emphasis on the good that he did. And he did much! Martin was an incredible man. If you look at the first editions of the Book of Mormon, you’ll find in the preface an account of the 116 pages of lost manuscript known as the book of Lehi.^[7]Book of Mormon Preface (1830): “As many false reports have been circulated respecting the following work, and also many unlawful measures taken by evil designing persons to destroy me, and also … Continue reading . . . . . .

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Chas Hathaway is the author of the books Scripture Study Made Awesome, Marriage is Ordained of God, but WHO Came Up with Dating? and Giraffe Tracks. Learn more at chashathaway.com. Please participate in the conversation by adding comments and sharing with friends on the web!

Gospel Living Made Awesome is not an official work of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If Chas says something stupid, it's his own fault.