Doctrine and Covenants Section 17

Historical Background

Three times in the Book of Mormon (2 Nephi 11:3; 27:12, and Ether 5:2-4) mention is made of three witnesses who would be able to see the plates. When Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris were made aware of this privilege, they asked Joseph to seek the Lord’s will and determine whether or not they might be the three. Section 17 is the Lord’s answer to that question.

D&C 17:1 What the Witnesses Would See

Invite students to make a list of the items the Lord said the witnesses would be able to see. What conditions did they have to meet in order to have this privilege? What privileges come to faithful people today who rely upon the word of the Lord “with full purpose of heart”?

The Book of Mormon text mentions the three witnesses on three occasions. Have students read the comments made by Nephi and Moroni concerning the witness.

2 Nephi 11:3

And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words.

2 Nephi 27:12

Wherefore, at that day when the book shall be delivered unto the man of whom I have spoken, the book shall be hid from the eyes of the world, that the eyes of none shall behold it save it be that three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of God, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered; and they shall testify to the truth of the book and the things therein.

Ether 5:2-4

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

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

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.

D&C 17:2-5 Faith and Seeing the Plates

What is the relationship between faith and the ability of the three witnesses to see the plates and the other things they were promised by the Lord that they would see? What were the witnesses commanded to testify of?

D&C 17:6 The Testimony of the Lord Jesus

Have students translate this verse into modern English and explain why this verse is so significant. What is their own testimony of the Book of Mormon? How does the Lord’s testimony help us have confidence that the Book of Mormon is true?

D&C 17:7-9 A Promise to the Witnesses

What promise was made to the three witnesses? Who made the promise? Explain to the students that each of the three men fell away from the Church. Later on, Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris were re-baptized. However, David Whitmer never did come back to the Church. What is there in these verses that helps us understand why these three men did not receive the blessing that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against you”?

David Whitmer’s Testimony

I was plowing in the field one morning and Joseph and Olvier came along with a revelation stating that I was to be one of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon. I got over the fence and we went out into the woods near by, and sat down on a log and talked awhile. We then kneeled down and Joseph prayed. WE then got up and sat on a log and were talking, when all at once a light came down from above us and encircled us for quite a little distance around; and the angel stood before us. He was dressed in white, and spoke and called me by name and said “Blessed is he that keepeth His commandments.” This is all that I heard the angel say. A table was set before us and on it the records were placed. The Records of the Nephites, from which the Book of Mormon was translated, the breast plates, the Ball or Directors, the Sword of Laban and other plates. While we were viewing them the voice of God spoke out of heaven saying that the Book was true and the translation correct. (The Saints’ Herald (Plano, Illinois), 1 March 1882.)

Oliver Cowdery’s Testimony

I beheld with my eyes. And handled with my hands the gold plates from which it was translated. I also beheld the Interpreters. That book is true. Sidney Rigdon did not write it. Mr. Spaulding did not write it. I wrote it myself as it fell from the lips of the prophet. It contains the everlasting gospel, and came in fulfillment of the revelations of John where he says he saw an angel come with the everlasting gospel to preach to every nation, tongue, and people. It contains principles of salvation. And if you will walk by its light and obey its precepts you will be saved in the everlasting kingdom of God. [Remarks by Oliver Cowdery, 21 October 1848, at Council Bluffs, [Iowa,] as reported by Reuben Miller, who was present. (Spelling and grammar have been modernized.) The Reuben Miler Journal is in the Church Archives.) These remarks were made after Oliver Cowdery reunited with the Church.]

Martin Harris’ Testimony

The angel did show to me the plates containing the Book of Mormon. [The Saints’ Herald, 22 (15 October 1875): 630. This statement was made after Martin Harris reunited with the Church.]

Invite students to read these testimonies and then invite them to bear their own testimonies concerning the Book of Mormon.