June 10, 1829 - D&C 17 was received

[Hemidakota]

June 10, 1829 - Fayette, New York. Joseph Smith received D&C 17, a revelation to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris that prepared them to become witnesses of the golden plates and other sacred objects. (Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith)

Historical Setting: Joseph Smith, Jun. - In the course of the work of translation, we ascertained that three special witnesses were to be provided by the Lord, to whom He would grant that they should see the plates from which this work (the Book of Mormon) should be translated; and that these witnesses should bear record of the same, as will be found recorded, Book of Mormon, page 581 [book of Ether, chapter 5, verses 2, 3, and 4, p. 487, edition 1920], also page 86 [iI Nephi, chapter 11, verse 3, p. 73, edition 1920]. Almost immediately after we had made this discovery, it occurred to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and the aforementioned Martin Harris (who had come to inquire after our progress in the work) that they would have me inquire of the Lord to know if they might not obtain of him the privilege to be these three special witnesses; and finally they became so very solicitous, and urged me so much to inquire that at length I complied; and through the Urim and Thummim, I obtained of the Lord for them the following: (HC, vol. 1, pp. 52-53)

Background Narration:

Daniel H. Ludlow

"In the course of the work of translation, we ascertained that three special witnesses were to be provided by the Lord, to whom He would grant that they should see the plates from which this work (the Book of Mormon) should be translated; and that these witnesses should bear record of the same, as will be found recorded, Book of Mormon [Ether 5:2-4, 1920 ed.], also p. 86 [2 Ne. 11:3, 1920 ed.]. Almost immediately after we had made this discovery, it occurred to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and the aforementioned Martin Harris (who had come to inquire after our progress in the work) that they would have me inquire of the Lord to know if they might not obtain of him the privilege to be these three special witnesses; and finally they became so very solicitous, and urged me so much to inquire that at length I complied; and through the Urim and Thummim, I obtained of the Lord for them the following: [D&C 17.]" (Joseph Smith, HC 1:52-53.)

"In March, 1829, the Lord declared to Joseph that three men should have the privilege of seeing the plates and bearing witness to their existence. (Sec. 5; HC 1:52.) A similar prediction was found also in the Book of Mormon itself. (2 Ne. 11:3; Ether 5:3.) Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris were later designated as these witnesses. In full conformity with the prediction, in June 1829, when the translation of the plates was approaching the end, this promise was realized. [sec. 17 was received by Joseph Smith at Fayette, New York, June 1829.]

"Joseph and his three friends at the Peter Whitmer, Sr., home in Fayette, Seneca County, New York, went into the nearby woods one day, and there engaged in earnest prayer that the plates might by shown to them by Moroni. (HC 1:52-59.) To this they testified in a written and published statement. This event is related by Joseph Smith in his history, and published while the witnesses were living." (John A. Widtsoe, JS, p. 46.) Companion to Your Study of the Doctrine and Covenants, vol. 1 by Daniel H. Ludlow, p.126

John A. Widtsoe

In March, 1829, [Fayette, New York] the Lord declared to Joseph that three men should have the privilege of seeing the plates and bearing witness to their existence. ( D&C Sec. 5; History of the Church, vol. 1, p. 52.) A similar prediction was found also in the Book of Mormon itself. (2 Nephi 11:3; Ether 5:3.) Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris were later designated as these witnesses. In full conformity with the prediction, in June 1829, when the translation of the plates was approaching the end, this promise was realized. [sec. 17 was received by Joseph Smith at Fayette, New York, June 1829.]

Joseph and his three friends at the Peter Whitmer, Sr., home in Fayette, Seneca County, New York, went into the nearby woods one day, and there engaged in earnest prayer that the plates might by shown to them by Moroni. (History of the Church, vol. 1, pp. 52-59.) To this they testified in a written and published statement. This event is related by Joseph Smith in his history, and published while the witnesses were living.

Sometime later, divine permission was given to show these plates to eight other men. (vol. 1, p. 57.) To have more witnesses was making the assurance of the reality of the plates doubly sure. The corroboration of the testimony of the three men, by the eight under different conditions, and at different times, certifies immeasurably to the truth of the events. The men, Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Jr., John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith, Sr., Hyrum Smith, and Samuel H. Smith unitedly signed a testimony in which they describe the plates and the engravings on them, and further declare that they actually handled and "hefted" the plates. There are no generalities in these testimonies; they are specific. (Joseph Smith, 1951, pp. 46-47.)

Section Header Notes: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris, at Fayette, New York, June, 1829, prior to their viewing the engraved plates that contained the Book of Mormon record. Joseph and his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, had learned from the translation of certain passages on the Book of Mormon plates that three special witnesses would be designated. See Ether 5:2-4; also 2 Nephi 11:3, and 27:21. Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris were moved upon by an inspired desire to be the three special witnesses. The Prophet inquired of the Lord, and this revelation was given in answer, through the Urim and Thummim. See History of the Church, vol. 1, p. 52.—The three conditionally promised that they shall be permitted to view not only the plates but also other sacred relics of Book of Mormon record—Only by faith like unto that of the prophets of old can they be thus privileged—They to testify of what they shall see—Joseph Smith's solemn avowals to be supported—The Lord declares that as he lives the translation is true

Versus amount: 9

Suggested link: D&C 5

Summary and Conclusion: Along with the strength of the testimony borne by the Three Witnesses, and in addition to the personal witness granted by the Lord to each individual who properly seeks, the Savior gives us His personal witness as follows (Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants , vol. 1 by L. G. Otten, C. M. Caldwell):

And he [Joseph Smith] has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true. (D&C 17:6)

Edited July 16, 2010 by Hemidakota