The Book of Mormon has been translated enough that Joseph and Martin are aware that witnesses will be chosen for the Book of Mormon. Martin wants to be one of these, but Joseph tells him that he has to humble himself and repent. What Martin doesn't seem to realize is that the loss of the manuscript isn't the problem, but his breaking of the covenants he had made with the Lord. The problem with Martin now is that he wants a witness for the wrong reasons. The fact is, the witness isn't going to help him unless he believes and has faith first. I think of what Nephi told his brothers, "Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the LOrd your God. Ye have seen an angel, and he spake unto you; yea, ye have heard his voice from time to time; and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could hot feel his words 1 Nephi 17: 45)."
The Lord tells Joseph concerning witnesses or anyone who wants to see the plates to satisfy their curiosity, "if they will not believe my words, they would not believe you, my servant Joseph, if it were possible that you should show them all these things which I have committed unto you." Later he says, "whosoever believeth on my words, them will I visit with a manifestation of my Spirit." Seeing an angel or the plates isn't going to make a difference in Martin's faith or belief. But the Lord still promises Martin, perhaps because of the sacrifices he has and will make, that if he will humble himself and acknowledge his wrongdoings, and bow himself in might prayer, he will see the things that have been promised. The Lord promises that all of the witnesses "will know of surety that these things are true." They are going to know without doubt that the Book of Mormon was true and translated by the power of God.
Section 17 next because that deals with this same topic of the witnesses.
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