A Young Folks History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | Page 9

one of the first pages of the
Book of Moromon and read a paragraph signed by three men whose
names are Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris. You
will notice in that paragraph that these men bear a most solemn witness
that the book is true; that an angel of God came to them with the plates
and laid them before their eyes; and that they were translated by the gift
and power of God.
The three names signed to this testimony are so important that I wish to
tell you something about these men. You have learned a little about
them already, but here is a good place to tell you something more about
their lives.
[Illustration: THE THREE WITNESSES.]
Martin Harris was a farmer who became acquainted with Joseph about
the time he received the plates. You will remember that Martin visited
Joseph in Pennsylvania and did some writing for him. Martin Harris
was the man who took some of the writings copied from the plates,
with their translation, to the city of New York, and showed them to a
learned man named Professor Anthon. The professor seemed pleased
with what was shown him, and gave Martin a certificate that the
writings were true characters. He also offered to assist in translating the
plates, but when Martin told him that an angel had given Joseph the
plates, and that part of the book was sealed, he took back the certificate
and tore it up, saying "I can not read a sealed book."
If you wish to read something in the Bible that will remind you of this
incident you may find it in Isaiah, 29th chapter, beginning at the 10th
verse.
Oliver Cowdery became acquainted with Joseph's family, while he
boarded with them one winter when he was teaching school. Hearing of
Joseph in Pennsylvania and the work he was there doing, Oliver prayed
to the Lord for light regarding the matter. Receiving a testimony that it
was true, Oliver went to visit Joseph, and there, as we have seen, he
wrote for him.

David Whitmer was a friend of Oliver's, and the latter told David many
things regarding Joseph. While he was in Pennsylvania, Oliver wrote to
David telling him to come down and see them. David came, found
everything as had been told him, and took the two young men back to
his father's home.
While translating the plates, Joseph came to the passage where it says
that there should be three witnesses to these things. (Book of Mormon,
II Nephi 11:3; also 27:12.) On learning this Oliver, David, and Martin
asked Joseph to enquire of the Lord if they might be these witnesses.
Joseph did so, and their request was granted. They, with Joseph then
went out into the woods and prayed so earnestly that an angel came and
showed them the sacred treasure exactly as they have testified.
For some years these three men continued to take a prominent part in
the affairs of the Church as you will see in future chapters.
In April, 1838, Oliver Cowdery was cut off from the Church for a
number of things that a Latter-day Saint should not do. He became a
lawyer, and went to Michigan. For ten years he remained away from
the Church; but during all that time he never once denied his testimony
that the Book of Mormon is true. Often men tried to have him deny it,
but he stood firm to that truth.
At a meeting held in Kanesville, Iowa, October 21, 1848, Oliver
Cowdery spoke and bore a strong testimony to the truth of the Book of
Mormon and the work of God. Shortly after he asked to be baptized
into the Church again. He did not ask for position or honor, he wanted
simply to be a member of the Church. His wish was granted and he was
baptized.
While on his way to Utah, Oliver stopped at Richmond, Missouri, to
visit his friends, the Whitmers. While here he died. David Whitmer said
of the event:
"Oliver died the happiest man I ever saw. After shaking hands with the
family, and kissing his wife and daughter, he said, 'Now I lay me down
for the last time; I am going to my Savior;' and he died immediately

with a smile on his face."
Martin Harris also left the Church. He was rejected at Kirtland, in 1837,
and remained away from the Church for over thirty years; but all this
time he testified to the truth of the Book of Mormon. In 1870, through
the labors of Elder Edward Stevenson, Martin Harris came to Utah and
was again baptized into the Church of Christ. For five years he
continued to tell of the truth of the work of God in the