The Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon: Who They Were and What They Claimed to See

Meet the three individuals—Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris—who claimed to have a divine vision of the golden plates and an angel, testifying to the Book of Mormon's origin.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 3, 2026

Branched from The Lost 116 Pages of the Book of Mormon: What Happened and Why It Matters

Quick take

Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris were the three official witnesses to the Book of Mormon.
They claimed to have seen the golden plates, other ancient artifacts, and an angel.
Their signed testimony is included in every edition of the Book of Mormon.
Despite later disagreements with Joseph Smith, none ever recanted their specific witness of the plates and angel.

The Three Witnesses refer to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, three men who claimed to have received a divine manifestation confirming the authenticity of the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. Their signed testimony, asserting they saw the plates and an angel, is published at the beginning of every edition of the Book of Mormon.

The Vision and Its Contents

According to Joseph Smith and the witnesses themselves, the vision occurred in late June 1829 near the Whitmer family farm in Fayette, New York. Joseph Smith had been experiencing difficulties and opposition regarding the translation process. He, along with Cowdery, Whitmer, and Harris, retired to the woods to pray, seeking a promised manifestation from God concerning the plates. After an initial failure, Martin Harris withdrew, feeling unworthy. Joseph, Cowdery, and Whitmer then received the vision.

They claimed to have seen an angel, identified as Moroni, who presented the golden plates to them. Along with the plates, they reported seeing other ancient artifacts, including the breastplate, the Urim and Thummim (interpreters), the sword of Laban, and the Liahona (a compass-like device). They also stated they heard a voice from heaven declaring that the plates had been translated by the gift and power of God, and commanding them to bear record of what they had seen and heard.

Who They Were

These three men each played distinct roles in the early history of the Book of Mormon:

**Oliver Cowdery:** He was Joseph Smith’s primary scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon, transcribing most of the text. He was also one of the first apostles of the newly organized church and was instrumental in its early development.
**David Whitmer:** His family home in Fayette, New York, became a central location for much of the Book of Mormon translation after Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery moved there. He was also one of the first leaders in the early church.
**Martin Harris:** A prosperous farmer and early supporter, Harris mortgaged his farm to finance the printing of the first edition of the Book of Mormon. He also served as an early scribe for Joseph Smith, though he famously lost the initial 116 pages of manuscript.

Why Their Testimony Matters

For adherents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other related movements, the testimony of the Three Witnesses provides external, independent corroboration of Joseph Smith's account of the Book of Mormon's divine origin. The fact that all three men, despite later becoming estranged from Joseph Smith and the church for various reasons, never denied their witness is often cited as powerful evidence by believers. They faced criticism, persecution, and personal difficulties, yet maintained their original claim until their deaths, stating they had indeed seen the angel and the plates as described.

Did the Three Witnesses ever recant their testimony?

No. While all three men later had serious disagreements with Joseph Smith and were excommunicated from the church at different times, none of them ever denied their specific testimony of having seen the plates and the angel. They consistently affirmed their witness throughout their lives.

Were there other witnesses to the golden plates?

Yes, besides the Three Witnesses, there were also Eight Witnesses. These eight men claimed to have handled the golden plates and seen the engravings, though they did not claim to see an angel or hear a voice from heaven. Their signed testimony is also included in the Book of Mormon.

What happened to the Three Witnesses after their excommunication?

Oliver Cowdery eventually returned to the church and was rebaptized before his death. Martin Harris also returned to the church later in his life. David Whitmer never rejoined the church, maintaining his witness but believing the church had strayed from its original path.

Why were only three chosen for this specific vision?

The selection of three witnesses aligns with biblical patterns, particularly the principle found in Deuteronomy 19:15 and 2 Corinthians 13:1, which states that "in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." This provided a legal and spiritual precedent for the confirmation of a new scripture.

Sources

The Book of Mormon, "The Testimony of Three Witnesses"
Joseph Smith—History 1:67-70, Pearl of Great Price
Accounts of the Witnesses (e.g., David Whitmer, Martin Harris)