Ether 5: 2-4

2 And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work;

3 And unto three shall they be shown by the power of God; wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true.

4 And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day.

Talking about how we received the Book of Mormon in this dispensation is one of my favorite topics to talk about with my littles. We actually just chatted about it this morning as we began our BOM studies, and watched this short little video:

Who were the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon?

Martin Harris, David Whitmer & Oliver Cowdery sought to be those witnesses and urgently urged Joseph Smith to inquire of the Lord if they might, in fact, be those three witnesses. It was only through fervent prayer and humility that these men, along with the prophet Joseph Smith were blessed to see an angel and see and feel the plates. The real power of their witness came through the Holy Ghost.

D&C 17:1

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.

It truly is miraculous to think of the many angels and witnesses that visited Joseph. Both to teach and prepare him and to show him the location of the plates.

The Lord’s Law of Witnesses

The Three Witnesses fulfilled an important law established by the Lord. Elder Bruce R. McConkie pointed out that “whenever the Lord has established a dispensation by revealing his gospel and by conferring priesthood and keys upon men, he has acted in accordance with the law of witnesses which he himself ordained. This law is: ‘In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.’ [i]

Have you received your own testimony and witness of the Book of Mormon lately? Through prayer and fervent study I know with surety that we can each receive our own personal testimony and witness of this powerful book.

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You can find this great printable coloring page on LDS.org, for studying this with your littles:

[i] D&C Student Manuel, LDS.org