D&C Section Seventeen

Because of persecution and the lack of resources Joseph and Emma have moved to Fayette to live with the Witmers. The Witmers, especially David, have been generous in their support. Joseph is obviously feeling the pressure to get the plates translated. And between having to run his farm, care for Emma who had by this time lost her baby, and translate, it must have been overwhelming. Having someone to care for Emma, who is still weak, and free from the distraction of farming and persecution, Joseph is able to finish the translation. There is an account of David Whitmer, who also helped a scribe, was behind in his plowing and had to choose between getting a number of acres plowed and acting as scribe. He came out the next morning and all of the land had been plowed. His wife also struggled with Joseph being a prophet, having the plates and all of the upheaval this must have brought to their household. She was granted a her own viewing of the plates by Moroni. After the three witnesses had the plates, the breast plate and sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummin, and the Liahona shown to them by Moroni, eight others are shown the plates by Joseph. Joseph now had a tremendous weight removed from his shoulders. He went to his parents and wept with joy. Up to that point, it was his word only and it was easy for people to cast him aside as another religious nut. But now others had seen and knew for a fact also. The three witnesses never denied their testimony of that experience. In Section 5, the Lord had said they would know without doubt. Where they failed was in their lives in harmony with the gospel and the church. Oliver and Martin returned but David never did. In 1878, David did say this about the experience: "The fact is, it was just as though Joseph, Oliver and I were sitting just here on a log, when we were overshadowed by a light. It was not the light of the sun, nor like that of a fire, but more glorious and beautiful. It extended away around us, I cannot tell how far, but in the midst of this light... there appeared as it were a table with many records or plates upon it, besides, the plates of the Book of Mormon, also the sword of Laban, the directors, and interpreters. I say them just as plain as I see this bed and I heard the voice of the Lord, as distinctly as I ever heard anything in my life, declaring that the records of the plates of the Book of Mormon were translated by the gift and power of God.

This is a revelation specifically for David Whitmer, Oliver Cowdery, and Martin Harris. The Lord reminds them that it is because of their faith and reliance upon him that they are being shown everything. Seeing them comes with responsibility and the Lord tells them that it will be required of them to testify by the power of God that they have seen what they have seen. This they did throughout their lives. The Lord then bears testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, "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."