Martin Harris reply to William Homer (1869)

“What about your testimony to the Book of Mormon? Do you still believe that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet? Again the effect was electric. A Changed old man stood before me. He was no longer a man with an imagined grievance. He was a man with a message.

“Young man,” answered Martin Harris with impressiveness, “Do I believe it? Do I see the sun shining? Just as surely as the sun is shining on us and gives us light, and the moon and the stars give us light by night, just as surely as the breath of life sustains us, so surely do I know that Joseph smith was a true prophet of God, chose of God to open the last dispensation of the fullness of times; so surely do I know that The Book of Mormon was divinely translated. I saw the plates; I saw the angel; I heard the voice of God. I know the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God. I might as well doubt my own existence as to doubt the authenticity of The Book of Mormon or the divine calling of Joseph Smith.

Oliver Cowdery

My name is Cowdery, Oliver Cowdery. In the early history of this church, I stood identified with her, and one in her councils. True it is that the gifts and callings of God are without repentance; not because I was better than the rest of mankind was I called; but, to fulfill the purposes of God, He called me to high and holy calling.

I wrote, with my own pen, the entire Book of Mormon (save a few pages) as it fell from the lips of the prophet Joseph Smith, as he translated it by the gift and power of God, by the means of the Urim and Thummim, or, as it is called by the book, “Holy Interpreters.” I beheld with my eyes and handled with my hands the gold plates from which its was translated. I also saw with my eyes and handled with my hands the “Holy 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 forth to the children of men in fulfillment of the revelations of John, where he says he saw an angel come with the Everlasting Gospel to preach to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. It contains the principles of salvation; and if you, my hearers, will walk by it light and obey its precepts, you will be saved with an everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God on high.

David Whitmer

I have never at any time denied that testimony or any part thereof, which has so long since been published with that book, as one of the three witnesses. Those who know me best well know that I have always adhered to that testimony. And that no man may be misled or doubt my present views in regard to the same I do again affirm the truth of all my statements as then made and published.