Why Did So Many Whitmers Become Witnesses to the Book of Mormon?

            The Come, Follow Me lesson for this week covered Doctrine and Covenants 14-17. By May 1829, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were making good progress on the work of translating the Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ. However, their situation in Harmony, Pennsylvania was becoming more difficult. The neighbors were growing more hostile, and Emma Smith’s family was growing less willing to support them. Thus, Joseph and Oliver felt that Harmony was no longer safe.

            About a year earlier, Oliver met David Whitmer who lived in Fayette, New York, with his parents and siblings – about 100 miles away. Oliver contacted David to see if he and Joseph might stay with the Whitmer family while they finished the translation work. Even though no one in the Whitmer family had met Joseph, they opened their home to him, and the Lord blessed them. They received the special instruction that is now contained in Doctrine and Covenants 14-17, and they became a foundational family in the Church as well as witnesses to the Restoration.

            Joseph, Emma, and Oliver moved into the home of Peter Whitmer Sr. and lived there until the translation of the Book of Mormon was completed, and a copyright was secured for the forthcoming book. David Whitmer and two of his brothers were convinced that the work was genuine, and they sought to know what their individual duties were in connection to the work.

Joseph Smith inquired of the Lord through the Urim and Thummim and received three revelations, which are now known as Sections 14-16, at Fayette, New York in June 1829. The three Whitmer brothers worked on the family farm, but the Lord had a different labor for each of them. David Whitmer later became one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, and his brothers, John Whitmer and Peter Whitmer Jr., became two of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon. The three sections are similar but individualized and follow:

Section 14

1 A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men.

2 Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word.

3 Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore who desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.

4 Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God.

5 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.

6 Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion. Keep my commandments in all things.

7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

8 And it shall come to pass, that if you shall ask the Father in my name, in faith believing, you shall receive the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance, that you may stand as a witness of the things of which you shall both hear and see, and also that you may declare repentance unto this generation.

9 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who created the heavens and the earth, a light which cannot be hid in darkness;

10 Wherefore, I must bring forth the fulness of my gospel from the Gentiles unto the house of Israel.

11 And behold, thou art David, and thou art called to assist; which thing if ye do, and are faithful, ye shall be blessed both spiritually and temporally, and great shall be your reward. Amen.

            Jesus Christ told David Whitmer that He was about to do a “great and marvelous work” (verse 1). The Lord compared His work to the work with which David was familiar, and He spoke in language that David could easily understand – that of a farmer. The Lord also compared His word to a “two-edged sword,” meaning that the word of God us quick, powerful, and sharp. He promised that David would receive eternal life – “the greatest of all the gifts of God” if he endured to the end.

            President Russell M. Nelson taught, “Under God’s great plan of happiness, families can be sealed in temples and be prepared to return to dwell in His holy presence forever. That is eternal life!” (“Thanks Be to God,” Ensign, May 2012, 77).

Section 15

1 Hearken, my servant John, and listen to the words of Jesus Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer.

2 For behold, I speak unto you with sharpness and with power, for mine arm is over all the earth.

3 And I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone –

4 For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you.

5 Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you according to my commandments.

6 And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.

Section 16

1 Hearken, my servant Peter, and listen to the words of Jesus Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer.

2 For behold, I speak unto you with sharpness and with power, for mine arm is over all the earth.

3 And I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone –

4 For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you.

5 Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given unto you according to my commandments.

6 And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.

            John and Peter Whitmer were both told that the work of God “would be of the most worth” in their lives (Doctrine and Covenants 15:4; 16:4). Just as the Lord invited David, John, and Peter Whitmer to help with His work, He also invites each of us to participate in it.

            Doctrine and Covenants 17 contains a revelation given through Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, at Fayette, New York, June 1829, prior to their viewing the engraved plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. During their translation work, Joseph and Oliver learned that the Lord would provide three special witnesses to the work. Oliver, Martin, and David were inspired to desire to be the special witnesses. Joseph inquired of the Lord through the Urim and Thummim and received this revelation, which is now Doctrine and Covenants 17.

1 Behold, I say unto you, that you must rely upon my word, which if you do with full purpose of heart, you shall have a view of the plates, and also of the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim, which were given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord face to face, and the miraculous directors which were given to Lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the Red Sea.

2 And it is by your faith that you shall obtain a view of them, even by that faith which was had by the prophets of old.

3 And after that you have obtained faith, and have seen them with your eyes, you shall testify of them, by the power of God;

4 And this you shall do that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., may not be destroyed, that I may bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men in this work.

5 And ye shall testify that you have seen them, even as my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., has seen them; for it is by my power that he has seen them, and it is because he had faith.

6 And he has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true.

7 Wherefore, you have received the same power, and the same faith, and the same gift like unto him;

8 And if you do these last commandments of mine, which I have given you, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; for my grace is sufficient for you, and you shall be lifted up at the last day.

9 And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it unto you, that I might bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men. Amen.

            Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and David Whitmer met the Lord’s requirements to become the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon. They testified that “an angel of God came down from heaven” and showed to them the plates and the engravings thereon. They also testified that they heard the voice of God declaring that the Book of Mormon “had been translated by the gift and power of God.” (See “The Testimony of the Three Witnesses.”)

            At a later time, Joseph Smith was commanded to show the plates to eight other men, now known as the Eight Witnesses. Their names are Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Jun., John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith, Sen., Hyrum Smith, and Samuel H. Smith. Joseph showed them the plates “which have the appearance of gold.” They handled the leaves of the plates and saw the engravings, which had “the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship.” (See “The Testimony of the Eight Witnesses.”)

            There is another witness of the plates, Mary Whitmer. When Oliver, Joseph, and Emma moved into her home, her labor increased. She had faith in the Joseph’s work, but she had little time to relax. She did not complain, but she was tired.

One day, while she was out by the barn where the cows were milked, she saw a gray-haired man with a knapsack slung across his shoulder. His sudden appearance frightened her, but as he approached, he spoke to her in a kind voice that set her at ease.

“My name is Moroni,” he said. “You have become pretty tired with all the extra work you have to do.” He swung the knapsack off his shoulder, and Mary watched as he started to untie it.

“You have been very faithful and diligent in your labors,” he continued.” It is proper, therefore, that you should receive a witness that your faith may be strengthened.”

Moroni opened his knapsack and removed the gold plates. He held them in front of her and turned their pages so she could see the writings on them. After he turned the last page, he urged her to be patient and faithful as she carried the extra burden a little longer. He promised she would be blessed for it.

The old man vanished a moment later, leaving Mary alone. She still had work to do, but that no longer troubled her (Saints, 1:70-71).

            The Lord provided witnesses to testify that they had seen the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. The testimonies of the Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses can be found in the front of each Book of Mormon. Millions of people have not heard the voice of God or seen angels or the plates. Yet, they, too, can testify that the Book of Mormon is true. I am one of them, and I know that the Book of Mormon is true because the Holy Ghost testified of its truthfulness to me. I encourage you to study it and ask God if it is true. If you “ask with a sincere heart, real intent, having faith in Christ,” the Holy Ghost will testify to you of its truthfulness (Moroni 10:4).