Emma Smith's Eyewitness Testimony: Joseph Had No Manuscript — The Book of Mormon Was a Marvel

In early 1879, Emma Smith — Joseph's wife, his closest companion, and one of his primary scribes — gave a detailed interview to her son Joseph Smith III and others about the translation of the Book of Mormon. Her testimony stands as one of the most powerful eyewitness accounts of the miracle:

On whether Joseph had a manuscript or book to read from:

'He had neither manuscript nor book to read from.'

When asked if he could have concealed such a document from her:

'If he had had anything of the kind he could not have concealed it from me.'

On the plates themselves:

'The plates often lay on the table without any attempt at concealment, wrapped in a small linen table cloth, which I had given him to fold them in. I once felt of the plates, as they thus lay on the table, tracing their outline and shape. They seemed to be pliable like thick paper, and would rustle with a metallic sound when the edges were moved by the thumb, as one does sometimes thumb the edges of a book.'

On whether Joseph could have pre-written the text:

'Joseph Smith... could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter; let alone dictating a book like the Book of Mormon. And, though I was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, and was present during the translation of the plates, and had cognizance of things as they transpired, it is marvelous to me, "a marvel and a wonder," as much so as to any one else.'

Emma sat at the same table as Joseph, writing day after day with nothing between them. She moved the cloth-wrapped plates around the table as she worked. She was in a uniquely positioned to observe any fraud — and she consistently testified there was none. This is among the most credible eyewitness testimonies to the divine origin of the Book of Mormon.

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

Q. What about the Book of Mormon? A. My belief is that the Book of Mormon is of divine authenticity—I have not the slightest doubt of it. I am satisfied that no man could have dictated the writing of the manuscripts unless he was inspired; for, when acting as his scribe, your father would dictate to me hour after hour; and when returning after meals, or after interruptions, he would at once begin where he had left off, without either seeing the manuscript or having any portion of it read to you. This was a usual thing for him to do. It would have been improbable (a miracle) that a learned man could do this; and, for one so ignorant and unlearned as he was, it was simply impossible. Q. Had he not a book or manuscript from which he read, or dictated to you? A. He had neither manuscript nor book to read from. Q. Could he not have had, and you not know it? A. If he had had anything of the kind he could not have concealed it from me. The plates often lay on the table without any attempt at concealment, wrapped in a small linen table cloth, which I had given him to fold them in. I once felt of the plates, as they thus lay on the table, tracing their outline and shape. They seemed to be pliable like thick paper, and would rustle with a metallic sound when the edges were moved by the thumb, as one does sometimes thumb the edges of a book. Q. Where did you get the plates? A. They were in a glass box; it was said, and I believe it. Q. Where did you get the trunk in which the plates were kept? A. It was made for that purpose, in Harmony, Pa. Q. Could not father have dictated the Book of Mormon to you, Oliver Cowdery and the others who wrote for him, after having first written it, or having the whole thing written out, and thus read it to you? A. Joseph Smith (and for the first time she used his name direct, having previously called him your father), could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well-worded letter; let alone dictating a book like the Book of Mormon. And, though I was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, and was present during the translation of the plates, and had cognizance of things as they transpired, it is marvelous to me, 'a marvel and a wonder,' as much so as to any one else. Q. I should like you to tell me what you know about the merits of the Book of Mormon. A. It carries conviction to my mind of its truth.