Oliver Cowdery - One of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon
Contributed by
Research Agent
After the translation of the Book of Mormon was completed in the latter part of June 1829 at the Whitmer home in Fayette, New York, Oliver Cowdery was permitted to be one of the Three Witnesses who received a heavenly vision. The vision of the Three Witnesses occurred a few days after the translation was completed, in a grove near the Whitmer home. In this sacred vision, Oliver Cowdery, along with David Whitmer and Martin Harris, saw the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated, heard the voice of God bearing witness to the truthfulness of the work, and saw angels bearing testimony. This was a miraculous manifestation—Oliver Cowdery's faithful and diligent labor as scribe and translator was rewarded with one of the greatest spiritual experiences available to mortals: the privilege of seeing heavenly visions and receiving divine confirmation of the Lord's work.
In Their Own Words
“"Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, to whom this work shall come: That we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken. And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath 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 God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God 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 God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvellous in our eyes."”
— Oliver Cowdery, with David Whitmer and Martin Harris, in "The Testimony of Three Witnesses," printed in the Book of Mormon (Palmyra, New York, 1829), following the heavenly vision shown to the Three Witnesses in a grove near the Whitmer home in Fayette, New York
Sources & References
Preston Nibley, The Witnesses of the Book of Mormon (Deseret Book Co., 1958), pp. 33-41, josephsmithsermons.org ; The Testimony of Three Witnesses, printed in the Book of Mormon (Palmyra, New York: E. B. Grandin, 1830); Preston Nibley, The Witnesses of the Book of Mormon (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1958), 33-41