Learn about unfamiliar events from the book "The Saints" leading to the translation of the Book of Mormon
The woman who saw the gold plates, a miracle in the fields and stories of faith-wrecking trials are several unfamiliar stories that led to the translation of the Book of Mormon, according to excerpts from the book "Saints: The Standard of Truth."
Learned linguists in 1828
Martin Harris visited New York City and met with a professor of Latin and Greek named Charles Anton. After examining the translation and the characters, Charles Anton gave Harris a certificate of authenticity, saying it did contain ancient languages.
But before Martin Harris left, Charles Anton asked him how Joseph acquired the plates. Harris answered and said an angel of God revealed it to Joseph. Anton asked for the certificate back, which Harris handed it over to him. Anton ripped the certificate into pieces and said there was no such thing. “I cannot read a sealed book,” he continued.
Harris left and went to meet with another scholar named Samuel Mitchill. Mitchill listened to Martin and looked at the characters he brought along with the translations. Mitchill said although he could not understand them, it reminded him of Egyptian hieroglyphics, which were writings of a nation no longer exists.
Faith and humility in 1828
After all the inconveniences Lucy Harris brought to the Smiths, Martin Harris insisted on letting Joseph allow him to show the manuscripts they had been able to finish for a couple of months to his wife, Lucy. Martin thought showing it to Lucy might convince her to believe what they were doing was truly the work of God.
Joseph, also wanting to please Harris, asked the Lord for guidance which the Lord answered no. Harris pleaded with Joseph again to ask the Lord, thinking it would really change the situation, to which the answer was still no. Harris asked Joseph to ask again for the third time, and this time, the Lord allowed them.
After two weeks, Emma, recovering from giving birth and losing a child, felt uneasy and asked Joseph to go after Martin to see how he was doing with the manuscripts. She said, “I cannot rest and shall not be at ease until I know something about what Mr. Harris is doing with [the manuscript].” Arriving at their home in Manchester, Joseph sent Martin an invitation to have breakfast with them. When eight o’clock came by, the food was ready, yet there was still no sign of Martin. After waiting for over 4 hours, Martin appears, walking slowly towards the Smith’s home.
Once he got inside the Smith’s home, he quietly sat down to eat. Before he could even begin to eat, he dropped his utensils and said, “I have lost my soul!” Joseph asked him if he had lost the manuscript and Martin answered, “It is gone and I know not where.”
Trials of faith from 1828 to 1829
In 1828, Martin’s wife, Lucy, invited herself to come with Martin to Harmony. She had suspicions about the work Martin was doing with Joseph and wanted to see the plates. When in the Smith's residence, Lucy was losing her hearing and when she could not understand what people were talking about, she thought they were criticizing her.
She asked Joseph to let her see the plates. When Joseph said no, she began looking for it around the house, going through chests, cupboards and trunks. When Lucy left the house and stayed in the neighbor's house, she told the neighbors that Joseph was using Martin to get money from him. After causing chaos for several weeks, Lucy went back to Palmyra.
In 1829, Martin’s wife went to file a complaint against Joseph Smith in court, accusing him of fraud. Expecting that Martin would be summoned to the court, he wanted to tell the truth and insisted that Joseph should give evidence that the plates were real. He feared he could not testify of the plates because even though he had been Joseph’s scribe for two months he never saw the plates himself.
Joseph asked the Lord about the situation and he did receive an answer. The Lord would not help Martin know what to say in court until Martin chose to be humble and have faith. A revelation from the Lord came saying, “If the people of this generation harden not their hearts, I will establish my church.”
When it was time for Martin to speak before the judge, he simply shared a simple and powerful testimony. Martin testified the truth and stated that he freely gave Joseph 50 dollars to do the Lord’s work. Without any evidence, Lucy’s claim was dismissed.
Miracle of the field in 1829
David Whitmer received a letter from Oliver telling him it was God’s will for him to take his wagon to Harmony to help bring Joseph, Emma and Oliver to the Whitmer’s home. David wanted to go as soon as possible, but his father told him he needed to finish plowing 20 acres of land before he left. His father told him to pray about leaving early, and David did.
David received an answer telling him to finish his chores first before leaving. The following day, David explored the field and discovered six acres had already been plowed. David’s father was surprised. He said, “There must be an overruling hand in this, and I think you had better go down to Pennsylvania as soon as your plaster of paris is sown.”
Another witness in 1829
Having the Smiths in their home, Mary Whitmer, David Whitmer’s mother, had more things to do than she already had. She had faith in the work Joseph was doing, but she was beginning to feel exhausted from all the work she had done, and she had so little time to rest. One day, while she was outside where they milk their cows, she saw a gray-haired man carrying a knapsack around his shoulder.
The man approached her in a kind voice and told her his name was Moroni. Moroni said to her, “You have become pretty tired with all the extra work you have to do.” He untied the knapsack, saying Mary had been faithful and diligent in her labors. He said it was just right for Mary to receive a witness so her faith may be strengthened.
Moroni opened the bag, took the gold plates and showed it to Mary. He turned its pages for Mary to see the writings on them and told her to be patient and faithful as she continued to carry the extra burden for a little longer. Moroni promised that she would be blessed.