Law of Witnesses

Why the Law of Witnesses?  (By Joseph Fielding McConkie, from his book, 50 Truths, page 53).

“As part of the restoration of all things Joseph Smith restored the ancient law of witnesses.  This law holds that ‘In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established’ (2^nd Corinthians 13:1).  This is not a principle you institute if you have reason to hide anything.

In harmony with this law, Joseph Smith was never alone when either priesthood or its keys were restored…It was this law that required both Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum to seal their testimony with their blood in Carthage Jail.  When they were killed two other Apostles were with them, John Taylor and Willard Richards.  In the providence of God their lives were spared that there might be two apostolic witnesses to tell the story…

The reader is reminded that every copy of the Book of Mormon contains the testimony of the three witnesses, in which the witnesses state that they were shown the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated by ‘an angel of God.’  Each copy of the Book of Mormon also contains the testimony of eight witnesses stating that they too, had seen the plates…

‘And thus will the Father bear record of me and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father and I and the Holy Ghost are one’ (3^rd Nephi 11:32, 35-36).

This heavenly presidency of three establishes the pattern for all that happens in the Church.  It is presided over by a presidency of three, as is every stake and ward auxiliary.  The restoration of the law of witnesses, long lost to the historical Christian world, is an eloquent testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet.   No one is ever invited to act in truth alone.  A church that has a man or woman standing at its head, acting alone, cannot be the Lord’s.”