|
PRE 0:0 THE BOOK OF MORMON, An Account Written By THE HAND OF MORMON, Upon
Plates Taken From The Plates Of Nephi.
PRE 0:1 Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi,
and also of the Lamanites--Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the
house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile--Written by way of commandment,
and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation--Written and sealed up,
and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed--To come forth by
the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof--Sealed by the hand
of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the
Gentile--The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.
PRE 0:2 An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of
the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the
language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to
heaven--Which is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great
things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the
covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever--And also to the
convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD,
manifesting himself unto all nations--And now, if there are faults they are
the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be
found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.
PRE 0:3 Translated By Joseph Smith, Jun.
PRE 0:4 The Testimony Of Three Witnesses
PRE 0:5 Be It Known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto
whom this work shall come: That we, through the grace of God the Father, and
our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which
is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their
brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which
hath been spoken. And we also know that they have been translated by the gift
and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know
of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the
engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the
power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an
angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes,
that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know
that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we
beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our
eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear
record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear
testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we
shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before
the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the
heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost, which is one God. Amen. /s/ Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Martin
Harris
PRE 0:6 The Testimony Of Eight Witnesses
PRE 0:7 Be It Known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto
whom this work shall come: That Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this
work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the
appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has
translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings
thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious
workmanship. 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. And we give
our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen.
And we lie not, God bearing witness of it. /s/ Christian Whitmer; Jacob
Whitmer; Peter Whitmer, Jun.; John Whitmer; Hiram Page; Joseph Smith, Sen.;
Hyrum Smith; Samuel H. Smith
| |