Doctrine & Covenants 14 -16

Revelations given to David, John, and Peter Whitmer

Doctrine & Covenants Section 14 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to David Whitmer, at Fayette, New York, June 1829. The Whitmer family had become greatly interested in the translating of the Book of Mormon. The Prophet established his residence at the home of Peter Whitmer Sr., where he dwelt until the work of translation was carried to completion and the copyright on the forthcoming book was secured. Three of the Whitmer sons, each having received a testimony as to the genuineness of the work, became deeply concerned over the matter of their individual duty. This revelation and the two following (sections 15 and 16) were given in answer to an inquiry through the Urim and Thummim. David Whitmer later became one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.

Doctrine & Covenants Section 15 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to John Whitmer, at Fayette, New York, June 1829 (see the heading to section 14). The message is intimately and impressively personal in that the Lord tells of what was known only to John Whitmer and Himself. John Whitmer later became one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.

Doctrine & Covenants Section 16 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Peter Whitmer Jr., at Fayette, New York, June 1829 (see the heading to section 14). Peter Whitmer Jr. later became one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.

Doctrine and Covenants 14:1–7 Doctrine and Covenants 14–16

I can help the Lord do His work.

Even though the work of translation was progressing well, by May 1829 the situation in Harmony had become more difficult for Joseph, Emma, and Oliver. Hostility from neighbors was growing while support from Emma’s family was waning. Feeling that Harmony was no longer safe, Oliver reached out to a friend who had expressed interest in Joseph’s work: David Whitmer. David lived with his parents and siblings in Fayette, New York, about 100 miles away. He had met Oliver a year earlier, and Oliver had written him several letters since then, sharing his experiences working with the Prophet. Neither David nor anyone in his family had ever met Joseph. But when Oliver asked if he and Joseph might move to the Whitmer home to finish translating the Book of Mormon, the Whitmers readily opened their doors. And the Lord had more in store for the Whitmers than simply housing the Prophet. He had some specific instruction for them, found in Doctrine and Covenants 14–17, and in time they were to become one of the foundational families of the Church and witnesses to the unfolding Restoration. ¹

David’s father, Peter Whitmer Sr., was impressed with this miracle and said, “There must be an overruling hand in this, and I think you would better go down to Pennsylvania as soon as your plaster of paris is sown” (quoted in Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith,p. 148). Farmers in that area added plaster of paris to the soil to make it less acidic. The next day David went to the place he had left the plaster, near his sister’s house, but the plaster was gone. His sister told him that the day before, she and her children had seen three strangers spreading the plaster with great speed and skill. She had assumed they were men David had hired, but David knew they were helpers provided by the Lord.

David was grateful for this divine help, and he hurried off to Harmony. Joseph and Oliver came out to meet him as he neared the town, which surprised David because he had not told them when he was coming. Oliver told David that Joseph had seen David’s trip in a vision and thus knew when he would arrive. David had never met Joseph Smith before, but he soon became sure that Joseph was a true prophet, and they became good friends.²

When he met Joseph Smith, David Whitmer was a young man dedicated to his work on the family farm. But the Lord had a different labor in mind for David—though in some ways it was a bit like farming. As you read Doctrine and Covenants 14:1–4, notice how the Lord compares His work to the kind of work David was familiar with. ³

Help the children understand the comparisons between working in a field and participating in God’s “great and marvelous work” (verse 1). For example, reaping a harvest can symbolize bringing souls to Christ. You could show a picture of a farmer, bring farmers’ clothes for the children to try on, or discuss everyday tasks that farmers perform. Explain that David Whitmer was a farmer who wanted to know how he could help the Lord. Read Doctrine and Covenants 14:3–4 to the children, and help them discover what the Lord told David Whitmer to do. How can we help in the Lord’s work?⁴

Liahona February 2025 “What Is My Role in the Harvest?”In several different revelations in 1829, the Lord gave repeated commands to participate in a harvest (see Doctrine and Covenants 4; 6; 11; 12; 14). Because some of the verses are repeated in each revelation, we can assume that the Lord has an important message He wants us to learn.

Latter Day Kids “The Field is White” Lesson and activity ideas

Doctrine and Covenants 15:4–6; 16:4–6

Helping others come to Jesus Christ is “of the most worth.”

John Whitmer and Peter Whitmer Jr. were David Whitmer’s brothers. Like David, they wanted to know how they could help the Lord. ⁵

John and Peter Whitmer wanted to know what would be of the most worth to them (see Doctrine and Covenants 15:4; 16:4). Maybe you and your children could talk about things that are worth a lot to you. As you read Doctrine and Covenants 15:6 or 16:6, ask your children to raise their hands when they hear what the Lord said is “of the most worth.”⁶

What does it mean to “bring souls unto [Jesus Christ]”? Help your children make a list of ideas, such as being friends to others, sharing the scriptures with a friend, or praying for someone in need. Your children could look for pictures of these things in Church magazines or the Gospel Art Book. Or they could draw their own pictures. Invite them to pick something from their list that they will do. You could also sing together the fourth verse of “I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook, 74–75). ⁷

Friend July 2019 “Show and Tell” Sometimes at school when I have no work to do, I read the Book of Mormon. When I read it while at school, many kids ask, “What is that?” so I tell them what it is and a little about the gospel. It makes me feel good to share.” Will M., age 12, California, USA

Friend November 2018 “Sharing Friendship” Elenoa’s parents buy extra copies of the Friend when they go to the temple and Elenoa and her sister share the Friend magazine with their friends. (Photos included in article.)

Friend May 1984 – “Grandpa’s Trunk” – Boy Shares gospel with his grandfather by inviting him to hear his Primary talk.

See also Missionary for additional ideas.

Doctrine & Covenants 17

Witnesses See the Gold Plates

Doctrine & Covenants Section 17 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, at Fayette, New York, June 1829, prior to their viewing the engraved plates that contained the Book of Mormon record. Joseph and his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, had learned from the translation of the Book of Mormon plates that three special witnesses would be designated (see Ether 5:2–4; 2 Nephi 11:3; 27:12). Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris were moved upon by an inspired desire to be the three special witnesses. The Prophet inquired of the Lord, and this revelation was given in answer through the Urim and Thummim.

For the Strength of Youth “The Story of the Witnesses”

Doctrine and Covenants 17

I can be a witness of the Book of Mormon.

• “Chapter 7: Witnesses See the Gold Plates” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 31–33, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library) can help your children learn about the Three Witnesses. After reading Doctrine and Covenants 17:5–6, tell your children how you know the Book of Mormon is true. How can we be witnesses of the Book of Mormon?⁸

Doctrine and Covenant Stories “Chapter 7: Witnesses See the Gold Plates” Images and Video

Come Follow Me Kid

Treat in a Box – Put a treat in a box. Let only one person see what’s in it and tell the other family members. That person will tell the other family members how good the thing in the box is, but don’t let others see it. Is it hard to believe there’s something good in there? Explain that for a while, Joseph Smith was the only one who got to see the gold plates. Heavenly Father commanded him not to show them to anyone else, and Joseph Smith wanted to obey Him. Lots of people were mad at him and said he was a liar since nobody else had seen them. Would it have been hard to believe Joseph Smith was telling the truth?

Read aloud 2 Nephi 27:12 with the children.

• What did Heavenly Father promise he would do when the Book of Mormon came forth?

Explain that Heavenly Father promised to allow witnesses to see the gold plates so that these witnesses could tell other people that the plates did exist.

While finishing the translation of the Book of Mormon, Joseph learned that three other people would be allowed to see the gold plates (see Ether 5:2–4). When Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer, who had all helped with the translation, learned that three witnesses would be permitted to see the gold plates, they asked for permission to be those witnesses. Joseph Smith prayed about this, and the Lord revealed that if these three men were humble, they would be allowed to be the three witnesses (see D&C 17).

Your family might enjoy drawing pictures of each of the items the Three Witnesses saw (see verse 1). As you read section 17, look for phrases that teach about the importance of the Book of Mormon.⁹

Read together Doctrine and Covenants 17:3–5 to find out what Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and David Whitmer were asked to do after seeing the gold plates.

How can we be witnesses of the Book of Mormon?

Hold up a copy of the Book of Mormon, and read to the children the last line of Doctrine and Covenants 17:6: “As your Lord and your God liveth it is true.” Tell the children how you know the Book of Mormon is true. Invite the children to become witnesses of the Book of Mormon by reading it and praying to know if it is true and then sharing their testimony with others.¹⁰

Have the children think of ways they can be witnesses of the Book of Mormon and its teachings. List their answers on the chalkboard. Have the children dramatize what they could do to be witnesses in particular situations, such as when someone asks them what their church believes or what the Book of Mormon says.¹¹

The Eight Witnesses See the Plates
A few days later Joseph Smith invited eight other men, including his father and
two of his brothers, to view the gold plates. This time an angel did not come.
The men gathered around Joseph, and he showed them the plates. The Eight
Witnesses handled the plates, turned the pages, and touched the strange
engravings on the unsealed portion. They also wrote their testimony that the
gold plates did exist. The Eight Witnesses were Joseph Smith Sr., Hyrum Smith,
Samuel H. Smith, Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer Jr., John
Whitmer, and Hiram Page (see “The Testimony of Eight Witnesses”).
All eleven of the witnesses later held important positions in the Church. Some of
them later left the Church, but not one of them ever denied seeing the gold plates.¹²

Additional Resources

“The Testimony of Three Witnesses”

The Testimony of Eight Witnesses”

For Younger Children:

The Red Crystal Super cute idea for younger kids. Show a box and tell them there is an elephant in it (stuffed animal). They probably won’t believe that a great big elephant is in the little box. Have another adult witness that it is true. (See the rest of the object lesson at the Red Crystal link.)

For Older Children:

Have the children turn the page to “The Testimony of the Witnesses”. Show the picture of “Mormon Abridging the Plates” to the children.

Give them a few seconds to study it. Afterwards put the picture face down on a table. Give each child a paper and a pencil. Ask some of the following questions, and have them write down their answers:

• What was on the shelf and the table behind Mormon?
• What was covering the bench Mormon was sitting on?
• What items were on the table Mormon was working on?
• What was on Mormon’s lap, and was there anything on the floor?
• What colors were Mormon’s clothes, and what decorations did they have on them?
• What was Mormon wearing on his arm, on his head, and on his feet?

Go over the answers together. When several of the children’s answers are the same on any of the questions, ask the children if they think those answers are most likely to be true. Why?

• If a person witnessed an event, would only their testimony about the incident be sufficient in a court of law? No, because they might not remember everything accurately, or they might not be telling the truth.

• Would that person’s version be believed if other witnesses told the same account?

• In 2 Corinthians 13:1 it says, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established”. Why do you think this law of witnesses is important? It helps establish truth.

Point out the witness’s page, and tell the children that God chose men to be witnesses of the Book of Mormon to fulfill the law of the witnesses and to testify of his work.

To help your children understand what it means to be a witness, you could describe to them something you have seen that they haven’t. Then let them do the same for you.

Friend February 2021 “Church History Cards”

Doctrine and Covenants Seminary Teacher Manual

Match each of the Three Witnesses with the correct detail from their life.

1. Oliver Cowdery
2. David Whitmer
3. Martin Harris

1. Provided financing for the printing of the Book of Mormon
2. Served as Joseph’s principal scribe for most of the Book of Mormon translation
3. Invited Joseph Smith to complete the translation of the Book of Mormon in his family’s home

Mary Whitmer is a witness of the gold plates

Consider sharing Mary Whitmer’s experience:

When Joseph, Emma, and Oliver moved into the Whitmer home, it increased the burden of Mary Whitmer. She already tended to the needs of her husband and eight children who lived at the home or nearby. Although Mary did not complain about the additional work, she was becoming weary.

“One day, while she was out by the barn where the cows were milked, she saw a gray-haired man with a knapsack slung across his shoulder. His sudden appearance frightened her, but as he approached, he spoke to her in a kind voice that set her at ease.

“‘My name is Moroni,’ he said. ‘You have become pretty tired with all the extra work you have to do.’ He swung the knapsack off his shoulder, and Mary watched as he started to untie it.

“‘You have been very faithful and diligent in your labors,’ he continued. ‘It is proper, therefore, that you should receive a witness that your faith may be strengthened.’

“Moroni opened his knapsack and removed the gold plates. He held them in front of her and turned their pages so she could see the writings on them. After he turned the last page, he urged her to be patient and faithful as she carried the extra burden a little longer. He promised she would be blessed for it.

“The old man vanished a moment later, leaving Mary alone. She still had work to do, but that no longer troubled her” (Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, vol. 1, The Standard of Truth, 1815–1846 [2018], 70–71).

• See also Saints, 1:73–75 and Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources Doctrine and Covenants 14–17
• See Saints, 1:68–71 Whitmer fields plowed
• Come Follow Me Kid “D&C 14-17” Lesson ideas

1. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 14–17: “Stand as a Witness”
2. Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 9: Witnesses See the Gold Plates,”  Link includes additional stories, activities, and lesson ideas.
3. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 14–17: “Stand as a Witness”
4. Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 14–17: “Stand as a Witness”
5. Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 14–17: “Stand as a Witness”
6. Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025“Doctrine & Covenants 12-17 and Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75
7. Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025″Doctrine & Covenants 12-17 and Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75
8. Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025″Doctrine & Covenants 12-17 and Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75
9. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 14–17: “Stand as a Witness”
10. Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 14–17: “Stand as a Witness”
11. Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 9: Witnesses See the Gold Plates,”  Link includes additional stories, activities, and lesson ideas.
12. Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History “Lesson 9: Witnesses See the Gold Plates,”  Link includes additional stories, activities, and lesson ideas.