Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The Three Witnesses are Revealed

Today I read Doctrine and Covenants section 17, which is the section where the Lord agrees to let Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris be the 3 witnesses to the truthfulness of the Gold Plates and the Book of Mormon.

This is the second half of the entry from Ether chapter 5 where Moroni mentions 3 witnesses to the Book of Mormon and how it was a self fulfilling prophecy. Because if Moroni had never put in the record that there would be 3 witnesses then Oliver and Joseph would never had translated it and put the idea in their heads.

It must have been really nice for Joseph Smith to not have to carry such a burden all on his own. I can only imagine the relieved he must have been that at least a few people would be able to validate his claims and have some tangible proof that he truly was communicating with the Lord and that he wasn't crazy.

Truly the Lord does not forget those who serve Him faithfully. I often wonder how many people are skeptical of the Book of Mormon until they read the testimony of the 3 witnesses and the 8 witnesses. I'm honestly not sure it's very many, but I am sure some people have had the Spirit whisper to them the truthfulness of their testimonies and has helped those people become convinced of the truthfulness of their words.

Even as the scriptures say the Lord does not abandon those that are faithful to Him. If we stay true and faithful to the Lord and the commandments He has given us, He will keep us safe and the gates of hell will not prevail against us. The Lord loves and wants what is best for us so that does not mean that we won't have trials for that is the only way we are going to grow and progress. But we won't be abandoned to the temptations and trials that will come our way. He will walk with us and help us so that we don't fail. As long as we stay true to Him, He will not abandon us. Put it to the test and you will see what I mean. Until tomorrow.

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