The next morning after attending to the usual services, namely, reading, singing, and praying, Joseph arose from his knees, and, approaching Martin with a solemnity that thrills through my veins to this day when it occurs to my recollection, said: “Martin Harris, you have got to humble yourself before your God this day, that you may obtain a forgiveness of your sins: if you do, it is the will of God that you should look upon the plates in company with Oliver Cowdery and David Whtimer.”

In a few minutes after this, Joseph, Martin, Oliver, and David, repaired to a grove, a short distance from the house, where they commenced calling upon God; and continued in earnest supplication, until he permitted an angel from his presence to come down and declare to them, that all which Joseph had testified of concerning the <​plates,​> was true.

When they returned to the house, it was between three and four. 0.clock P.M. Mrs.Whitmer, Mrs Smith Smith and myself were setting in a bedroom at the time.

On coming in Joseph threw himself down bedside me, and exclaimed; “Father, mother; you do not know happy I am; the Lord has now caused the plates to be shown to three more besides myself.— they have seen an angel, who has testified to them; and they will have to bear witness to the truth of what I have said; for now they know for themselves, that I do not go about to deceive the people. And I feel as if I was relieved of a burden, which was almost to heavy for me to bear; and it rejoices my heart, that I am not any longer to be entirely alone in the world.” Upon this Martin came in: he seemed almost overcome with joy; and he testified boldly to what he had both seen and heard; and so did David and Oliver, they adding that no tongue could express the joy of their hearts, niether the greatness of the things which they had both seen and heard. Their written testimony, which is contained in the Book of Mormon, is as follows.

[Testimony of Three Witnesses]