THE PLATES ARE SHOWN TO TWELVE WITNESSES--JOSEPH MAKES ARRANGEMENTS FOR
PRINTING THE BOOK OF MORMON.
As soon as the Book of Mormon was translated, Joseph despatched a
messenger to Mr. Smith, bearing intelligence of the completion of the
work, and a request that Mr. Smith and myself should come immediately
to Waterloo.
The same evening, we conveyed this intelligence to Martin Harris, for
we loved the man, although his weakness had cost us much trouble.
Hearing this, he greatly rejoiced, and determined to go straightway
to Waterloo to congratulate Joseph upon his success. Accordingly, the
next morning, we all set off together, and before sunset met Joseph and
Oliver at Mr. Whitmer's.
The evening was spent in reading the manuscript, and it would be
superfluous for me to say, to one who has read the foregoing pages,
that we rejoiced exceedingly. It then appeared to those of us who did
not realize the magnitude of the work, as if the greatest difficulty
was then surmounted; but Joseph better understood the nature of the
dispensation of the Gospel which was committed unto him.
The next morning, after attending to the usual services, namely,
reading, singing and praying, Joseph arose from his knees, and
approaching Martin Harris with a solemnity that thrills through my
veins to this day, when it occurs to my recollection, 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."
In a few minutes after this, Joseph, Martin, Oliver and David, repaired
to a grove, a short distance from the house, where they commenced
calling upon the Lord, and continued in earnest supplication, until he
permitted an angel to come down from his presence, and declare to them,
that all which Joseph had testified of concerning the plates was true.
When they returned to the house it was between three and four o'clock
p.m. Mrs. Whitmer, Mr. Smith and myself, were sitting in a bedroom
at the time. On coming in, Joseph threw himself down beside me, and
exclaimed, "Father, mother, you do not know how happy I am: the Lord
has now caused the plates to be shown to three more besides myself.
They have seen an angel, who has testified to them, and they will have
to bear witness to the truth of what I have said, for now they know for
themselves, that I do not go about to deceive the people, and I feel
as if I was relieved of a burden which was almost too heavy for me to
bear, and it rejoices my soul, that I am not any longer to be entirely
alone in the world." Upon this, Martin Harris came in: he seemed almost
overcome with joy, and testified boldly to what he had both seen and
heard. And so did David and Oliver, adding, that no tongue could
express the joy of their hearts, and the greatness of the things which
they had both seen and heard.
Their written testimony, which is contained in the Book of Mormon, is
as follows:--
THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES.
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.
The following day, we returned, a cheerful, happy company. In a few
days, we were followed by Joseph, Oliver and the Whitmers, who came
to make us a visit, and make some arrangements about getting the book
printed. Soon after they came, all the male part of the company, with
my husband, Samuel and Hyrum, retired to a place where the family were
in the habit of offering up their secret devotions to God. They went
to this place, because it had been revealed to Joseph that the plates
would be carried thither by one of the ancient Nephites. Here it was,
that those eight witnesses, whose names are recorded in the Book of
Mormon, looked upon them and handled them. Of which they bear record in
the following words:--
THE TESTIMONY OF EIGHT WITNESSES.
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto
whom this work shall come, that Joseph Smith, Jr., 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, that the said Smith has shown
unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety, that
the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. 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 of it.
Christian Whitmer, Hiram Page,
Jacob Whitmer, Joseph Smith, Sen.,
Peter Whitmer, Jun., Hyrum Smith,
John Whitmer, Samuel H. Smith.
After these witnesses returned to the house, the angel again made his
appearance to Joseph, at which time Joseph delivered up the plates
into the angel's hands. That evening, we held a meeting, in which all
the witnesses bore testimony to the facts, as stated above; and all
of our family, even to Don Carlos, who was but fourteen years of age,
testified of the truth of the Latter-day Dispensation--that it was
then ushered in. In a few days, the whole company from Waterloo, went
to Palmyra to make arrangements for getting the book printed; and they
succeeded in making a contract with one E. B. Grandin, but did not draw
the writings at that time. The next day, the company from Waterloo
returned home, excepting Joseph, and Peter Whitmer, Joseph remaining to
draw writings in regard to the printing of the manuscript, which was to
be done on the day following.
When Joseph was about starting for Palmyra, where the writings were to
be executed, Dr. M'Intyre came in and informed us, that forty men were
collected in the capacity of a mob, with the view of waylaying Joseph
on his way thither; that they requested him (Dr. M'Intyre) as they had
done once before, to take command of the company, and, that upon his
refusing to do so, one Mr. Huzzy, a hatter of Palmyra, proffered his
services, and was chosen as their leader.
On hearing this, I besought Joseph not to go; but he smiled at my
fears, saying, "Never mind, mother, just put your trust in God, and
nothing will hurt me today." In a short time he set out for Palmyra.
On his way thither, lay a heavy strip of timber, about half a mile
in width, and, beyond it, on the right side of the road, lay a field
belonging to David Jacaway. When he came to this field, he found the
mob seated on the string of fence running along the road. Coming to
Mr. Huzzy first, he took off his hat, and good-naturedly saying, "Good
morning, Mr. Huzzy," passed on to the next, whom he saluted in like
manner, and the next, and so on till he came to the last.
This struck them with confusion, and while they were pondering in
amazement, he passed on, leaving them perched upon the fence, like so
many roosting chickens, and arrived at Palmyra without being molested.
Here he met Mr. Grandin, and writings were drawn up between them to
this effect: That half of the price for printing was to be paid by
Martin Harris, and the residue by my two sons, Joseph and Hyrum. These
writings were afterwards signed by all the parties concerned.
When Joseph returned from Palmyra he said, "Well, mother, the Lord has
been on my side today, the devil has not overpowered me in any of my
proceedings. Did I not tell you that I should be delivered from the
hands of all my enemies! They thought they were going to perform great
feats; they have done wonders to prevent me from getting the book
printed; they mustered themselves together, and got upon the fence,
made me a low bow, and went home, and I'll warrant you they wish they
had stayed there in the first place. Mother, there is a God in heaven,
and I know it."
Soon after this, Joseph secured the copyright; and before he returned
to Pennsylvania, where he had left his wife, he received a commandment,
which was in substance as follows:--
First, that Oliver Cowdery should transcribe the whole manuscript.
Second, that he should take but one copy at a time to the office, so
that if one copy should get destroyed, there would still be a copy
remaining. Third, that in going to and from the office, he should
always have a guard to attend him, for the purpose of protecting the
manuscript. Fourth, that a guard should be kept constantly on the
watch, both night and day, about the house, to protect the manuscript
from malicious persons, who would infest the house for the purpose of
destroying the manuscript. All these things were strictly attended to,
as the Lord commanded Joseph. After giving these instructions, Joseph
returned to Pennsylvania.