And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record - and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day. (Ether 5:4)
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| ©Darrell Wyatt |
We know now that those three witnesses were Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris, all of whom went into the woods and fervently prayed, along with Joseph Smith, that the promise that they had translated would be fulfilled and that they would be able to view the plates.
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. (The Testimony of Three Witnesses, Intro. to the Book of Mormon)
There were also eight other witnesses that, although not in the presence of an angel of God, were able to see and touch the plates. These men also bore witness as to the authenticity of the plates that Joseph Smith translated from. "And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen. And we lie not, God bearing witness."(The Testimony of Eight Witnesses, Intro. to the Book of Mormon)
There is some comfort, as a reader of the Book of Mormon, to know that there were a dozen people in these latter days that were able to actually see and authenticate the origin of the book. However, the real witness comes in the form of personal revelation.
Although the Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses are in a class by themselves...there are or will be 10,000 times 10,000 other witnesses to testify with equal surety of the truth of the Book of Mormon. Every person who will abide the law entitling him to know of the truth of this Nephite record shall gain personal revelation from the Holy Ghost of its divinity, thus becoming a personal witness of its truth. (Mormon Doctrine, McConkie p.843)
I am honored and humbled to join the company of these men and lend my personal witness to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. I know it to be true with every fiber of my being. I have, on many occasions, felt the spirit that can only come from reading a work of truth, written by divine inspiration. I have been blessed with the desire to continue to learn and grow from these truths. I know that it is another witness of Jesus Christ, and I am so grateful to have it continually bless my life.
Yes, you are in good company. Well said.
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