Library
Testimony of Three Witnesses


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

      • amen (interjection)

        Let it be so! Often said at the end of religious speeches and prayers.

      • angel (noun)

        Messenger from God. Some are spirits of people who have lived or will later live on the earth. Others are people who have been resurrected.

      • bear record (verb)

        To give testimony; to state, based on personal knowledge, that something is true.

      • behold (verb)

        To look; to see; to notice.

      • blood (noun)

        Guilt; responsibility for sins.

      • brother, brethren (noun)

        Peer; neighbor; relative; kinsman.

      • Christ (noun)

        A title for Jesus Christ. The titles Christ and Messiah both mean a king or priest sent by God to save the world.

      • command (verb)

        To give a law, order, or binding instruction.

      • commandment (noun)

        Law; order; binding instruction (especially from God).

      • contain (verb)

        To include.

      • declare (verb)

        To announce; to state energetically.

      • dwell (verb)

        To live; to reside.

      • engraving (noun)

        Writing or designs cut or scratched into metal.

      • eternally (adverb)

        Forever.

      • faithful (adjective)

        Constant; loyal; with faith.

      • Father (proper noun)

        God the Father. He created all life and is the Father of our spirits. He rules all things and is just, righteous, merciful, and loving. He is the father of Jesus Christ.

      • found (verb)

        Considered; judged.

      • for (conjunction)

        Because.

      • garment (noun)

        Clothing.

      • gift (noun)

        A special ability, power, or blessing given to someone by God.

      • God the Father (proper noun)

        Heavenly Father. He created all life and is the father of our spirits. He rules all things with perfect justice, mercy, and love. He is the father of Jesus Christ.

      • God (proper noun)

        God the Father or His Son, Jesus Christ. God the Father rules all things with perfect justice, mercy, and love. Jesus Christ often speaks and acts for His Father. He suffered so that we could be forgiven of our sins and be resurrected. The Father and Son are separate individuals but are united in purpose.

      • grace (noun)

        Gifts given by God regardless of whether we deserve them.

      • hath (verb, archaic)

        Has.

      • heaven (noun)

        The place where God lives.

      • Holy Ghost (proper noun)

        The Holy Ghost, also known as the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of the Lord. He is a divine spirit, one in purpose with God the Father and Jesus Christ. He speaks to our hearts and testifies of truth.

      • honor (noun)

        Credit; respect; esteem.

      • in (preposition)

        With respect to; being obedient to.

      • in our eyes (prepositional phrase)

        To us.

      • Jaredites, people of Jared (proper noun)

        A people of the Book of Mormon who lived earlier than the Nephites. They descended from Jared, his brother, and others who followed them.

      • Jesus Christ (proper noun)

        The Son of God. He created the earth and rules it. He often speaks and acts for His Father. He suffered so that we could be forgiven of our sins and be resurrected.

      • judgment-seat (noun)

        The place of the Final Judgment; the Final Judgment itself, in which Christ will judge every human being for their acts during this life.

      • kindred (noun)

        A group of people who are related to each other.

      • be it known (verb phrase)

        Let everyone know.

      • Lamanites (proper noun)

        A people of the Book of Mormon, often enemies of the Nephites, who descended from Nephi’s brother Laman and of those who followed him.

      • Lord (noun)

        A term of respect for God the Father or Jesus Christ.

      • Lord (noun)

        A term of respect for God the Father or Jesus Christ.

      • men (noun)

        People; humanity.

      • man (noun)

        Human beings.

      • marvelous (adjective)

        Wonderful; astonishing.

      • nation (noun)

        A large group of people who are related to each other or who have the same language, history, or government; the country where they live.

      • Nephites, people of Nephi (proper noun)

        A people of the Book of Mormon descended from Nephi and from those who followed him.

      • nevertheless (adverb)

        But still; in spite of this.

      • obedient (adjective)

        Following or complying with commands or instructions.

      • one God (noun phrase)

        An expression used to describe God the Father and Jesus Christ. They are separate individuals but are united in purpose.

      • plates (noun)

        Books or other records made from thin sheets of metal.

      • record (noun)

        A written description or account.

      • rid (verb)

        To get rid of; to be free from.

      • shall (verb)

        Will.

      • should (verb)

        Would be required to.

      • soberness (noun)

        Seriousness; solemnity.

      • Son (proper noun)

        Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He created the earth and rules it. He often speaks and acts for His Father. He suffered so that we could be forgiven of our sins and be resurrected.

      • spotless (adjective)

        Innocent; without sin.

      • of a surety (prepositional phrase)

        With certainty; for sure.

      • testify (verb)

        To state that something is true.

      • testimony (noun)

        A statement by someone with personal knowledge that something is true.

      • bear testimony (verb)

        To state that something is true based on personal knowledge.

      • thereon (adverb)

        On it; on them.

      • through (preposition)

        By means of; because of.

      • tongue (noun)

        A group of people who speak the same language.

      • tower (noun)

        The Tower of Babel, mentioned in the Bible. (See Genesis 11:1–9.)

      • translate (verb)

        To tell or write the meaning of something in another language.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • wherefore (adverb)

        So you see; therefore.

      • witness (noun)

        A person who sees and hears something and gives testimony about it.

      • work (noun)

        Book.