remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever; and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself to all nations; and now, if there are faults, they are the mistakes of men; therefore condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ. Moroni."
"Translated by Joseph Smith, Jun."
This extract is followed by the testimony of three witnesses, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, who declare to have seen the Golden Plates with their engravings, which were shown to them by the power of God, not of man; and that they knew by the voice of God that the records had been translated by the gift and power of God. Furthermore they "declare with words of solemnness 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." They conclude with these solemn words: "And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God, Amen." Then comes "also the testimony of eight witnesses"—four Whitmers, three Smiths, and one Page[1]—who make it "known unto all nations, kindred, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come, that Joseph Smith, Jun., 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 hands unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen; and we lie not, God bearing witness of it."
The nature of the Latter-Day Saints' Biblion will best be understood from the subjoined list of contents.[2]
- ↑ The total witnesses are thus eleven, exactly the number that bore evidence to the original Christian miracles.
- ↑
At the end of this chapter I have inserted a synopsis of Mormon chronology.
First Book of Nephi.
- Language of the Record.
- Nephi's Abridgment.
- Lehi's Dream.
- Lehi departs into the Wilderness.
- Nephi slayeth Laban.
- Sariah complains of Lehi's Vision.
- Contents of the brass Plates.
- Ishmael goes with Nephi.
- Nephi's Brethren rebel, and bind him.
- Lehi's Dream of the Tree, Rod, etc.
- Messiah and John prophesied of.
- Olive-branches broken off.
- Nephi's Vision of Mary.
- Do. the Crucifixion of Christ.
- Do. Darkness and Earthquake.
- Great abominable Church.
- Discovery of the Promised Land.
- Bible spoken of.
- Book of Mormon and Holy Ghost promised.
- Other Books come forth.
- Bible and Book of Mormon one.
- Promises to the Gentiles.
- Two Churches.
- The Work of the Father to commence.
- A Man in white Robes (John).
- Nephites come to Knowledge.
- Rod of Iron.
- The Sons of Lehi take Wives.
- Director found (Ball).
- Nephi broke his Bow.
- Directors work by Faith.
- Ishmael died.
- Lehi and Nephi threatened.
- Nephi commanded to build a Ship.
