The Eight Witnesses Handle and Heft the Plates at the Whitmer Farm (June 1829)

A few days after the Three Witnesses' angelic manifestation, in late June 1829 near the Whitmer farm in Fayette, New York, Joseph Smith showed the gold plates to a second group of eight men — Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer Jr., John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith Sr., Hyrum Smith, and Samuel H. Smith. Unlike the Three Witnesses, the Eight Witnesses did not see an angel; they physically handled and hefted the plates, turning the leaves page by page and examining the engravings. Joseph Smith, who was present and showed them the plates, allowed each of the eight to lift them. Their signed testimony, printed in the Book of Mormon, declares that they handled the plates and saw the engravings, and that they know of a surety that the work is true. The Eight Witnesses' testimony, coming from men closely related to one another and known in their community, provided a second, tangible witness of the plates' reality distinct from the angelic manifestation to the Three Witnesses.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That Joseph Smith, Jun., the Author and Proprietor of this work, has shewn unto us the plates of which hath 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 curious workmanship. And this we bear record, with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shewn unto us, for we have seen and hefted, 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, God bearing witness of it.