WITNESSES: 1800s

Yesterday, I talked about a witness of the Book of Mormon from ancient times: the Angel Moroni.  He appeared to Joseph Smith 4 times in one night/day adding upon the instructions Joseph had received from the Savior in his first vision. (1820-1824) He told Joseph the location of the plates he had buried and led Joseph to them. 

Joseph described finding a stone box.  Opening it, he found not only the record written on plates of gold, but also several artifacts from the Nephite civilization.  Joseph was excited and wanted to take the plates, but the angel wouldn't allow it.  He knew several things that Joseph did not know: 1) having that much gold would be a temptation for Joseph to sell and help his struggling family; 2) other people would seek the gold to steal it and melt it down to sell; 3) Joseph was only 17.  He would need a lot of instruction from the angel before he was mature enough and knowledgeable enough to undertake the daunting task of translating those ancient records into English.  

Joseph returned to the site to meet Moroni on the same day every year for 4 years. He went through what some scholars have called the University of an Angel Experience. At the end of the 4 years, he was allowed to take possession of the plates.  Joseph himself was a witness to the truthfulness of  the Book of Mormon. *

* To read Joseph's story and testimony, follow this link: Joseph Smith's Story

Constant threats against Joseph happened just as Moroni had predicted. He needed a scribe, financial support, and friendship during the process.  Enter Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmore, and Martin Harris.  Because of the unmeasurable assistance these 3 men rendered to the Prophet, the Angel himself showed them the plates and the artifacts.

They went to a quiet place and prayed.  At first, nothing happened.  Martin Harris admitted to having some doubts and left the group to pray alone.  As soon as he was gone, the Angel showed the plates to David and Oliver (as shown in the picture on the right with Joseph.) Martin's prayer of contrition must have been powerful because Martin later confirmed to the others that he, too, had seen the angel.

Testimony of the 3 Witnesses

These men wrote their testimonies of the truthfulness of the event they had experienced.  Their testimony is found in the beginning of the Book of Mormon right after the Introduction. It is interesting to note that all 3 of these men had fallings out with the Prophet and left the Church, but none ever denied his testimony.  Martin and Oliver eventually asked for and received rebaptism into the Church before they died.  David Whitmore remained estranged from the Church and even organized a splinter group with his brother.  Just before his death, a newspaper ran an article that he had left the Church and denied his vision. He called for a reporter to come to him (he was on his deathbed) and demanded that he record Martin's dying testimony that he had seen the angel and the plates and that, while he had issues with the Prophet, he had never nor would never deny his testimony of what had happened that day.

Joseph later received permission from Moroni that he, Joseph, could show 8 additional men the plates.  While this was not a divine vision for those men (they did not see the angel)they all did affirm that they had not only seen the plates but had handled them as well. They wrote their testimonies of that event and those are found immediately after the testimony of the three.
Testimony of the 8 Witnesses

Of the 8 men present, 4 were members of the Whitmore family and all left the Church when David did and never reconnected.  However, I have never heard of any man denying his testimony. As Joseph Smith said of reaffirming his testimony even in the face of severe persecution: In reality, [Christ and the Father] did speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying [so]it was true. I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it (Joseph Smith History 1:25)

The Lord had said that in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall everything be established. (1 Corinthians 13:1) The Law of Witnesses had been part of the Law at least since Moses (see Deuteronomy 19:15).  In the case of the Book of Mormon, the Lord called 12 (3+8+Joseph = 12 - remember that 12 in Hebrew symbolic numbers is the number of God's priesthood.)

Once I had received my personal witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, I developed an interest in many scientific evidences that began to come forth in the mid-20th Century that supported the story told by the Book of Mormon. While such evidences cannot create a life-long testimony (only the Holy Ghost can do so,) they can be of interest in light of an already existent testimony. 

The 21st Century is going to be interesting indeed: in a day when the Bible and Christianity are being denied and persecuted, the Book of Mormon stands a witness to the truthfulness that Jesus Christ lives and was (and is) the Savior of the world.  I have done a lot of such research since I was 19 and more evidences are being found and developed today.  If you do not have a testimony of the Book, I strongly recommend that you read it and apply Moroni's test of truthfulness (see Moroni 10:4.) If you already have a testimony, I would invite you to enjoy the treasure hunt!

©January 2020, Dr. Kathleen Rawlings Buntin Danielson