The three names signed to this testimony are so important that I wish to tell you something about these men.  You have learned a little about them already, but here is a good place to tell you something more about their lives.

[Illustration:  The three witnesses.]

Martin Harris was a farmer who became acquainted with Joseph about the time he received the plates.  You will remember that Martin visited Joseph in Pennsylvania and did some writing for him.  Martin Harris was the man who took some of the writings copied from the plates, with their translation, to the city of New York, and showed them to a learned man named Professor Anthon.  The professor seemed pleased with what was shown him, and gave Martin a certificate that the writings were true characters.  He also offered to assist in translating the plates, but when Martin told him that an angel had given Joseph the plates, and that part of the book was sealed, he took back the certificate and tore it up, saying “I can not read a sealed book.”

If you wish to read something in the Bible that will remind you of this incident you may find it in Isaiah, 29th chapter, beginning at the 10th verse.

Oliver Cowdery became acquainted with Joseph’s family, while he boarded with them one winter when he was teaching school.  Hearing of Joseph in Pennsylvania and the work he was there doing, Oliver prayed to the Lord for light regarding the matter.  Receiving a testimony that it was true, Oliver went to visit Joseph, and there, as we have seen, he wrote for him.

David Whitmer was a friend of Oliver’s, and the latter told David many things regarding Joseph.  While he was in Pennsylvania, Oliver wrote to David telling him to come down and see them.  David came, found everything as had been told him, and took the two young men back to his father’s home.

While translating the plates, Joseph came to the passage where it says that there should be three witnesses to these things. (Book of Mormon, II Nephi 11:3; also 27:12.) On learning this Oliver, David, and Martin asked Joseph to enquire of the Lord if they might be these witnesses.  Joseph did so, and their request was granted.  They, with Joseph then went out into the woods and prayed so earnestly that an angel came and showed them the sacred treasure exactly as they have testified.

For some years these three men continued to take a prominent part in the affairs of the Church as you will see in future chapters.

In April, 1838, Oliver Cowdery was cut off from the Church for a number of things that a Latter-day Saint should not do.  He became a lawyer, and went to Michigan.  For ten years he remained away from the Church; but during all that time he never once denied his testimony that the Book of Mormon is true.  Often men tried to have him deny it, but he stood firm to that truth.

At a meeting held in Kanesville, Iowa, October 21, 1848, Oliver Cowdery spoke and bore a strong testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon and the work of God.  Shortly after he asked to be baptized into the Church again.  He did not ask for position or honor, he wanted simply to be a member of the Church.  His wish was granted and he was baptized.