The law of witnesses states:  “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”  (D&C 6:28).

Think of the heavy burden that Joseph Smith carried from the time of the First Vision in 1820 until the day that Moroni showed the plates to the three witnesses.  During those nine years there was no one on earth who could corroborate anything that Joseph said.

God the Father and Jesus Christ had appeared to him.  The angel Moroni had visited him on at least nine occasions.  Numerous other angels had personally instructed him, and he’d experienced many other marvelous things; but there was no one who could back him up as a second witness.  It was his word against the world.  He was the subject of ridicule, and understandably so.

But then the day arrived when Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris were privileged to have their own visit from the angel Moroni to see the plates, and to hear the voice of God declaring His own witness to the truth of the translation thereof.

Joseph’s mother recorded that “When they returned to the house (probably June 1829) it was between three and four o’clock P.M.  Mrs. Whitmer, Mr. Smith and myself, were sitting in a bedroom at the time.  On coming in, Joseph threw himself down beside me, and exclaimed, ‘Father, mother, you do not know how happy I am:  the Lord has now caused the plates to be shown to three more besides myself.  They have seen an angel, who has testified to them, and they will have to bear witness to the truth of what I have said, for now they know for themselves, that I do not go about to deceive the people, and I feel as if I was relieved of a burden which was almost too heavy for me to bear, and it rejoices my soul, that I am not any longer to be entirely alone in the world.’  Upon this, Martin Harris came in:  he seemed almost overcome with joy, and testified boldly to what he had both seen and heard.  And so did David and Oliver, adding that no tongue could express the joy of their hearts, and the greatness of the things which they had both seen and heard.”  (History of Joseph Smith, by Lucy Mack Smith, pg. 152-3).

A few days after Martin, David, and Oliver became eye- and ear-witnesses to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon eight more men were privileged to see, handle, and examine the gold plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated.  They added their testimonies to those of Joseph and the three witnesses.

At about the same time came the visitations of John the Baptist, Peter, James, and John to restore the priesthood.  Oliver Cowdery was Joseph’s companion in these visions.

On 6 February 1832 as Joseph and Sidney Rigdon were translating the Bible they were given a whole series of revelations in which they saw the Savior, angels, the fall of Lucifer, hell, and each of the three kingdoms of glory.  Thus was Sidney’s testimony added to the collection.  Joseph’s and Sidney’s testimonies of these visions are recorded in D&C 76.

On 3 April 1836, as recorded in D&C 110, Joseph and Oliver received visits from the Savior, Moses, Elias, and Elijah as priesthood keys were restored.

Joseph’s testimony no longer stood alone.  At least 12 other men were privileged to see and to hear for themselves, and were commanded to bear testimony to what they’d seen and heard.  Significantly seven of these were later excommunicated from the Church.  Had their testimonies been false, and had the whole thing been a hoax, their excommunications would have been perfect opportunities to expose the work as a lie.

Instead, their excommunications very much strengthen the testimonies that they bore because not one of them ever denied what they said they’d seen, felt, heard, and knew.  To do so would have meant lying to God, and they could not do that.  Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris both came back to the Church, after a period of years, and asked for rebaptism.  The others did not, but all remained true to their testimonies.

The case for the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and for the Joseph Smith story of the restoration of the gospel is very strong indeed.  Because of the witnesses, the case would be upheld in any court of law.

The Lord Himself has borne witness to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, to the truthfulness of the Church, and to the work of His servant, Joseph Smith.  (See  D&C 1:30; 6:17; 17:6; 18:2, 34; 19:26; 20:8-9).

All men who are made aware of this work and of these witnesses become accountable for what they do with that knowledge.  They must accept that work and these testimonies and become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, or be cut off from the blessings they would have otherwise received, including that of exaltation, eternal life, and an eternity of joy.

To these witnesses I add my own.  I know this work is true.  I know that Joseph Smith was the Lord’s chosen prophet to effect the restoration of the gospel.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  I love it.  I am grateful for Joseph Smith.  I love the Church, and most of all, I love my Savior.