The same morning, after Hiram had made ready to go, shall it be said to the slaughter?

Yes, for so it was.

He read, near the close of the 12th chapter of ether, in the Book of Mormon, and turned down the leaf upon it.

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

why was Hiram faithful to his witness of the Book of Mormon? Of all Joseph Smith's family and friends,

perhaps none were closer to him, are more loyal than his older brother, Hiram Smith.

Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff, and many others remembered that when they first met Joseph,

Hiram was there too. In the eyes of many observers, the two seemed inseparable. It is therefore

no surprise that Hiram was among those chosen to be witnesses of the Book of Mormon.

All who remembered hearing Hiram testified the Book of Mormon found his testimony to be powerful and compelling.

William E. McClellan joined the church after having a lengthy conversation with Hiram Smith,

where he inquired into the particulars of the coming forth of the record, and upon the testimonies given to him.

A few weeks later, McClellan recorded hearing Hiram share his evidence of the truth of the book

to a congregation of about 500 people.

In 1837, Mary Fielding, wife of Hiram Smith, assured her brother Joseph Fielding that her husband

has seen and handled the plates.

In the wake of the Kirtland apostasy, Sally Parker heard Hiram testify.

He said he had but two hands and two eyes.

He said he had seen the plates with his eyes and handled them with his hands.

The testimony was reassuring to Sally because she had her dissidents dispute the book so much.

A few months later, Hiram, Joseph, and others were imprisoned in Missouri from November 1838 to April 1839.

These were some of the most trying months for Joseph and his companions, including Hiram.

...