Who Were the Three and Eight Witnesses to the Golden Plates?
A look at the individuals who claimed to see and handle the ancient record Joseph Smith said he translated.
- The Three Witnesses claimed to see an angel and the Golden Plates, hearing God's voice affirm their truth.
- The Eight Witnesses claimed to see and handle the plates themselves, testifying to their physical existence.
- Their testimonies are foundational to the faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Despite later disagreements with Joseph Smith, none of the witnesses ever recanted their original statements.
The Three and Eight Witnesses were individuals who, according to Joseph Smith, saw and testified to the existence of the Golden Plates, the ancient record from which he claimed to translate the Book of Mormon. Their written testimonies are published in every copy of the Book of Mormon, serving as foundational corroboration for the faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Three Witnesses
This group consisted of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris. Their experience, according to their written testimony, was primarily spiritual and miraculous. They claimed that an angel of God descended from heaven, laid the Golden Plates before their eyes, and turned the leaves so they could see the engravings. They also stated they heard a voice from God declaring that the plates had been translated by the gift and power of God, and that their testimony was true. This was a divine manifestation, not a physical handling of the plates.
The Eight Witnesses
This larger group included Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer Jr., John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith Sr., Hyrum Smith, and Samuel H. Smith. Their experience, as recorded in their testimony, was a more tangible one. They stated that Joseph Smith showed them the plates, which they were allowed to handle, heft, and examine with their own eyes. They testified to seeing the engravings and the appearance of the plates, confirming their physical existence and weight. Joseph Smith Sr., Hyrum Smith, and Samuel H. Smith were Joseph Smith's father and brothers, while the Whitmers and Hiram Page were close associates, many of whom were related by marriage.
The testimonies of these eleven individuals are a cornerstone of the Latter-day Saint faith. They provide external corroboration for Joseph Smith's claim of translating an ancient record, offering both a divine, spiritual witness and a physical, tangible witness to the plates. Their enduring statements are significant because, even though several of these witnesses later had disagreements with Joseph Smith and left the Church during his lifetime, none of them ever denied their original published testimony regarding seeing or handling the Golden Plates. Their unwavering declarations, despite personal hardship or apostasy, are considered powerful evidence by believers.
And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for His voice has declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true.Testimony of Three Witnesses, The Book of Mormon
And we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has been shown unto us by the power of God; and we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God descended from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon.Testimony of Eight Witnesses, The Book of Mormon
Sources
- The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ (containing the 'Testimony of Three Witnesses' and 'Testimony of Eight Witnesses')
- Historical accounts from early Latter-day Saint records and scholarly works on the Book of Mormon witnesses.
