Testimony of the Eight Witnesses

The Testimony of the Eight Witnesses refers to the accounts of eight men who personally saw and examined the ancient manuscript of the Book of Mormon, known as the original plates, during the early 1820s. They confirmed that Joseph Smith, the prophet, showed them the physical plates, which they handled and observed. Their testimonies serve as independent evidence supporting the physical existence of the plates and bolster the credibility of Joseph Smith’s claims. These witnesses valued honesty and consistency, and their statements remain an important part of the church’s foundational history.