Introductory Pages of the Book of Mormon
The Testimonies of Three Witnesses and Eight Witnesses
“We … Have Seen the Plates”
For a time, Joseph Smith was not allowed to show the gold plates to anyone. In fulfillment of prophecy, the Lord eventually revealed to Joseph that additional witnesses would be allowed to see the plates and testify of their reality (see 2 Nephi 27:12–14). This lesson can help you understand the importance of the multiple witnesses of the Book of Mormon and reflect upon your own witness.
Helping students learn by the Spirit. One way is to encourage them to reflect on their personal experiences relating to this lesson. Provide time to ponder blessings they have received by living the gospel of Jesus Christ and how they are becoming more like Him.
Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share experiences that helped them or others to know that the Book of Mormon is of God.
Possible Learning Activities
Witnesses of the plates
Consider using the following paragraph to help students realize how difficult it must have been for Joseph Smith to be the only eye witness of the gold plates for a time.
Imagine what it would have been like for Joseph Smith to be the only one who could see the gold plates. Think about how hard it would be for you to be disbelieved, mocked, and called a deceiver because you won’t show people the plates. Imagine having to tell those who have supported you that they cannot see the plates.
While translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph dictated the words of promises the Lord made concerning the plates. Read 2 Nephi 27:12–14 to see promises the Lord made about the plates (see also Ether 5:2–4).
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What stood out to you about this prophecy? Why?
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How might Joseph have felt as he read this prophecy? Why?
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What did you learn from this passage about the Lord and the Book of Mormon?
One truth we can learn from these prophecies is that the Lord provided multiple witnesses of the plates of the Book of Mormon.
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Why is it easier to believe something is true when there is more than one witness of it?
As you continue to study, seek Heavenly Father’s help through the Holy Ghost to understand the importance of the witnesses of the gold plates, and consider how their testimonies can help you gain or strengthen your own.
Display the following paragraph or invite a student to read it.
The Lord provided for a group of three and then eight men to see the plates. Many of these witnesses helped in some way with the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. For example, David Whitmer invited Joseph and Emma to live with them while Joseph translated, Martin Harris mortgaged his farm to pay the printing costs of the Book of Mormon, and Oliver Cowdery served as scribe for much of the translation. Joseph’s father and his brothers Hyrum and Samuel were also witnesses of the plates and helped Joseph in important ways. Although some of these men later left the Church, none of them ever denied their testimonies of the Book of Mormon. (See Church History Topics, “Witnesses of the Book of Mormon,” history.topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.)
Read “The Testimony of Three Witnesses” and “The Testimony of Eight Witnesses,” looking for what they saw, felt, and came to know.
You might also want to watch “A Day for the Eternities” from time code 15:00 to 18:37 to see a depiction of what these experiences may have been like.
Consider providing students with the following handout and inviting them to fill out the chart individually, as a class, or in small groups.
The Testimony of Three Witnesses and Eight Witnesses
Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)—”The Testimonies of Three Witnesses and Eight Witnesses”
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Three Witnesses: |
Eight Witnesses: | |
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What the witnesses saw and felt. | ||
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What the witnesses came to know. | ||
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What the witnesses did. |
© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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What similarities and differences did you see in the experiences of the two groups?
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Why might the differences be significant?
While we may sometimes wish to have experiences like these witnesses, the Lord testified that even seeing these things will not convince people of the truth (see Doctrine and Covenants 5:7). President James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the First Presidency explained:
In our day and time we must come to know the truthfulness of what was on the golden plates without seeing them. They are not available for us to see and handle as they were for the Three Witnesses and for the Eight Witnesses. Some of those who actually saw and handled the golden plates did not remain faithful to the Church. Seeing an angel would be a great experience, but it is far greater to come to a knowledge of the divinity of the Savior through faith and the witness of the Spirit [see John 20:29]. (James E. Faust, “It Can’t Happen to Me,” Ensign, May 2002, 48)
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Why is what is taught in this statement important to you?
Your witness of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon
One major purpose of the Book of Mormon is to convince people that Jesus is the Christ (see the title page of the Book of Mormon). Think about whether your personal witness of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon is as strong as you want it to be. Ponder how gaining or strengthening that witness could be a blessing to you and others.
Consider giving students time to reflect on their preparation for class. Then display the following paragraph and encourage them to ponder and write their feelings.
Write down your testimony of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. If you do not feel that you have a testimony yet, write down what you could do to receive one. Include how others’ testimonies might influence your own. Consider adding to this as you continue to study the Book of Mormon.
After students have sufficient time to write, invite some to share their testimonies of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon.