Ether 5:1-5

Chapter 5

Three witnesses and the work itself will stand as a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

Moroni breaks into his abridgment of the plates of Ether to write a message to he who would translate the record – Joseph Smith.

He tells Joseph he wrote the words which he was commanded, “according to my memory” (Ether 5:1).  He reminds him he should forbidden to translate the part of the book which is sealed, unless commanded by God.

“The sealed portion of the gold plates contains, as Moroni explains, the complete record of the brother of Jared’s vision. After elaborating on the origin and future of the record of this great vision (see Ether 3:17–4:19), Moroni writes a short letter, effectively addressed to Joseph Smith, wherein he warns him not to touch the sealed plates, evidently so he can keep the gift to translate them (see Ether 5:1).”[1]

Joseph is told he would be able to show the plates to those who assist him. The Lord told Joseph, “And the testimony of three witnesses will I send forth of my word” (D&C 5:15). These witnesses would be an essential part of bringing the Book of Mormon to the world.

Joseph is told three will be shown the plates “by the power of God” (Ether 5:3). “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 11:3).

The three will know for “a surety that these things are true” (Ether 3:3). “And then he shall say unto the people of this generation: Behold, I have seen the things which the Lord hath shown unto Joseph Smith, Jun., and I know of a surety that they are true, for I have seen them, for they have been shown unto me by the power of God and not of man” (D&C 5:25).

 “But he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit he shall know that these things are true; for it persuadeth men to do good” (Ether 4:11).

Moroni also makes this promise to the readers of the Book of Mormon among his last words. His words are among the most widely known among Church members.

“Now I, Moroni, write somewhat as seemeth me good; and I write unto my brethren, the Lamanites; and I would that they should know that more than four hundred and twenty years have passed away since the sign was given of the coming of Christ.

“And I seal up these records, after I have spoken a few words by way of exhortation unto you.

“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost” (Moroni 10:1-4).

Moroni gives us the law of witnesses. “[I]n 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” (Ether 5:4). “And it shall come to pass, that if you shall ask the Father in my name, in faith believing, you shall receive the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance, that you may stand as a witness of the things of which you shall both hear and see, and also that you may declare repentance unto this generation” (D&C 14:3).

“Wherefore, he shall bring forth his words unto them, which words shall judge them at the last day, for they shall be given them for the purpose of convincing them of the true Messiah, who was rejected by them; and unto the convincing of them that they need not look forward any more for a Messiah to come, for there should not any come, save it should be a false Messiah which should deceive the people; for there is save one Messiah spoken of by the prophets, and that Messiah is he who should be rejected of the Jews” (2 Nephi 25:18).

“For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written” (2 Nephi 29:11).

The words and testimony of the three witnesses will stand as a testimony against the world.

“A dictionary defines the noun witness as an ‘attestation of a fact or event: [a] testimony.’ The term witness bears special significance when applied to the word of God. In the Bible we read this important declaration: ‘In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.’ This assures God’s children that divine doctrines are confirmed by more than one scriptural witness.”[2]

“And if it so be that they repent and come unto the Father in the name of Jesus, they shall be received into the kingdom of God” (Ether 5:5).

“O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him” (Mormon 9:27).

“And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.

“And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled.

“Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God” (Moroni 10:30-32).

We are to judge Moroni and determine if he truly has the authority to write what he has written. He knows he has authority, given him of Christ. We will know he has the authority when we see him as we stand before God.

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[1] A Third Jaredite Record: The Sealed Portion of the Gold Plates, Valentin Arts, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 11/1 (2002): 53.

[2] Scriptural Witnesses, President Russell M. Nelson, October 2007 General Conference.