Appendix F: Testimonies and Dedication from the 1830 Translation

The Testimony Of Three Witnesses¹

Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come, that we, through the grace of Elohim the Father and our Adon Yeshua HaMashiach, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nefi, and also of the Lamanites, his brothers, and also of the people of Yered, who came from the tower of which has been spoken. And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of Elohim, for his voice has declared it unto us; wherefore, we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates, and they have been shown unto us by the power of Elohim and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness that an angel of Elohim came down from Heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of Elohim the Father and our Adon Yeshua HaMashiach that we beheld and bear record that these things are true; and it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of yhwh commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the mitzvot of Elohim, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Mashiach, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment seat of Mashiach, and shall dwell with him eternally in the Heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Ruach HaKodesh, which are echad. Amen.

oliver cowdery,

david whitmer,

martin harris.

And also the Testimony of Eight Witnesses

Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come, that Joseph Smith, Jr., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which have been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated, we did handle with our hands. And we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work and of elegant workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen, and lifted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world to witness unto the world that which we have seen; and we lie not, Elohim bearing witness of it.

christian whitmer,

jacob whitmer,

peter whitmer jr.,

john whitmer,

hiram page,

joseph smith sen.,

hyrum smith,

samuel h. smith.

Dedication

(from the 1830 edition)

THE BOOK OF M’RAMAN

AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF M’RAMAN

UPON PLATES TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEFI

Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nefi, and also of the Lamanites; written to the Lamanites which are a remnant of the house of Isra’el and also to Y’hudi and Goy; written by way of mitzvah, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation. Written, and sealed, and hid up unto yhwh, that they might not be destroyed; to come forth by the gift and power of Elohim unto the interpretation thereof; sealed up by the hand of M’roni and hid up unto yhwh, to come forth in due time by the way of Goy; the interpretation thereof by the gift of Elohim.

An abridgment taken from The Book of ’Eter also, which is a record of the people of Yered, which were scattered at the time yhwh confounded the language of the people when they were building a tower to get to Heaven: which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Isra’el how great things yhwh has done for their fathers, and that they may know the covenants of yhwh, that they are not cast off for ever. And also to the convincing of the Y’hudi and Goy that Yeshua is the Mashiach, the Elohe Kedem, manifesting himself unto all nations. And now if there is fault, it is the mistake of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of Elohim, that you may be found spotless at the judgment seat of Mashiach.

—m’roni