And this we bear record with words of soberness that the said Smith has shown 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. The testimony of the eight witnesses.

Hey listeners, this is Brendan from Book of Mormon Central, and today's podcast addresses the question,

why did John Whitmer continue to testify of the Book of Mormon? When John Whitmer met the prophet

Joseph Smith for the first time in early June 1829, he desired to know from the Lord

that which would be of most worth for him to do. Through Joseph, the Lord revealed that the thing

which would be of most worth

unto John Whitmer will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me.

He was baptized very shortly thereafter in mid-June, 1829.

Eager to assist in the Lord's work, John became an immediate asset to Joseph Smith,

briefly acting as a scribe

for the Book of Mormon translation when Oliver Cowdery needed arrest. After the translation,

around the end of June, the Book of Mormon was complete. He accompanied the Smith family and others

back to Palmyra, where he saw and hefted the plates, becoming one of the eight witnesses.

With the other seven who saw and hefted the plates,

he affixed his name to a statement declaring, with words of soberness that they had both seen

and hefted and know of a surety that Joseph Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken.

After the church was organized in April 1830, John continued to contribute in many important ways.

When Joseph first received news of the growing number of converts in Curtland, Ohio,

John Whitmer was the one he sent out to provide much-needed leadership for the saints in that area.

After Joseph got settled in Curtland and others were beginning to gather there,

...