Essentials in Church History. Joseph Fielding Smith

to Harmony early in April when Oliver came to inquire concerning the Prophet and the record he claimed to have, and remained with his brother Joseph during the spring. Samuel Smith had not taken to the Prophet’s story as readily as other members of the family, and was rather hard to convince that Joseph and Oliver had been ordained and baptized. After much inquiry and explanation by Joseph and Oliver, Samuel retired alone to the woods, and in secret prayer obtained a revelation for himself. Now convinced, he was anxious to be baptized and to engage in the work of establishing “the cause of Zion.”

      Notes

      1. History of the Prophet Joseph, p. 106, Lucy Smith.

      2. Isaiah’s prophecy is as follows: “And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid” (Isa. 29:11–14).

      For a discussion of this point see the History of the Mormon Church, by B. H. Roberts, chapter 8. Also Orson Pratt’s Works, Chapter 6, and the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi, 27th chapter.

      Chapter 10

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      The Witnesses of the Book of Mormon

      1829–1830

The Witnesses Called

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      In due time, in June 1829, the Book of Mormon translation was finished. Three special witnesses must now be chosen who should behold the plates through divine favor and bear record to the world. This was according to the predictions of the ancient prophets who had kept the records of the Nephites. Nephi, son of Lehi, had prophesied: “Wherefore at that day when the book shall be delivered unto the man of whom I have spoken, the book shall be hid from the eyes of the world, that the eyes of none shall behold it save it be that three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of God, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered; and they shall testify to the truth of the book and the things therein. And there is none other which shall view it, save it be a few according to the will of God, to bear testimony of his word unto the children of men; for the Lord God hath said that the words of the faithful should speak as if it were from the dead.”¹

      In a revelation given at the request of Martin Harris, after his repentance, in March, 1829 (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 5), this statement is reiterated, and Martin was told he might be granted this great privilege of being one of the witnesses, if he would humble himself sufficiently and overcome his pride in mighty prayer and sincerity of heart, and acknowledge the things he had done which were wrong. It was natural for Oliver Cowdery, the Prophet’s scribe, and David Whitmer, to desire to be the two other witnesses of the special three.

      When the translation was finished Joseph wrote to his parents requesting them to come to him. This information they conveyed to Martin Harris at Palmyra, who desired to accompany them. The next day after the word was received they started on the journey. The evening of their arrival at the Whitmer home was spent in reading the manuscript of the Book of Mormon, which caused them all to rejoice exceedingly. They had not previously realized the magnitude of the work of translation, nor had they received a clear understanding of what the book contained.

      When the time arrived for the manifestation of the power of the Lord to the witnesses, as was the custom, early in the morning the little group at the Whitmer home engaged in singing and prayer. At the close of these services Joseph Smith arose and approaching Martin Harris said: “Martin Harris, you have got to humble yourself before God this day, that you may obtain a forgiveness of your sins. If you do, it is the will of God that you should look upon the plates, in company with Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer.” Lucy Smith, the Prophet’s mother, who was present, says this was spoken, “with a solemnity that thrills through and through my veins to this day, when it occurs to my recollection.”

      These three men earnestly sought for the privilege of being the special witnesses, Joseph laid the matter before the Lord and received a revelation by Urim and Thummim granting their petition. The revelation is as follows:

Revelation to the Witnesses

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      “Behold, I say unto you, that you must rely upon my word, which if you do with full purpose of heart, you shall have a view of the plates, and also of the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim, which were given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord face to face, and the miraculous directors which were given to Lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the Red Sea.

      “And it is by your faith that you shall obtain a view of them, even by that faith which was had by the prophets of old.

      “And after that you have obtained faith, and have seen them with your eyes, you shall testify of them, by the power of God;

      “And this you shall do that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., may not be destroyed, that I may bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men in this work.

      “And ye shall testify that you have seen them, even as my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., has seen them, for it is by my power that he has seen them, and it is because he had faith.

      “And he has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true.

      “Wherefore, you have received the same power, and the same faith, and the same gift like unto him;

      “And if you do these last commandments of mine, which I have given you, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; for my grace is sufficient for you, and you shall be lifted up at the last day.

      “And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it unto you, that I might bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men. Amen” (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 17).

The Witnesses Behold the Plates

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      A short time after this revelation was given these four, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris, retired to the woods and engaged in humble prayer. They asked the Lord to bestow upon them the blessing of the promise. Each prayed in turn, according to previous agreement. Joseph prayed first and after each had prayed and no answer of divine favor was obtained, they again observed the same order of prayer, but without result. Feeling it was because of his transgressions that no answer was received, Martin Harris suggested that he would withdraw from the others. After consultation this was agreed to, and Martin withdrew. Again the three knelt in prayer. Presently they beheld above them a light of great brilliancy, and an angel descended and stood before them. In his hand he held the plates, and before them were the other records and sacred things spoken of in the revelation. The angel took the golden book and turning leaf by leaf exhibited to the witnesses the engravings thereon. He then turned to David Whitmer and said, “David, blessed is the Lord, and he that keeps his commandments.” Immediately after this they heard a voice in the bright light which shone above them, saying: “These plates have been revealed