Three Witnesses

As Nephi introduced the many chapters of Isaiah that he quoted in 2 Nephi 12-24, he said, “And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words.  For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him.”  He then continued by testifying that his brother Jacob had seen the Savior as well, and then he mentioned this principle: “Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word” (2 Nephi 11:2-3).  This law of witnesses seems to be a fundamental principle by which God operates and wants His people to function.  I think we find evidence of this in all books of scripture. 

The law was first explicitly described in the Old Testament as part of the Law of Moses.  The people were told, “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death” (Deuteronomy 17:6).  This was reiterated a couple chapters later in these words: “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established” (Deuteronomy 19:15).  Christ seemed to teach the same principle to His disciples as He talked about what to do when there were brothers who trespassed: “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” (Matt. 18:16).  Paul then reiterated this same principle as he told Timothy: “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses” (1 Timothy 5:19).  To the Corinthians he likewise quoted the Savior’s words: “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1).

The principle of witnesses is likewise an important part of the Restoration and in the Doctrine and Covenants and Book of Mormon.  Before the Church was even organized, the Lord said, “And the testimony of three witnesses will I send forth of my word” and then reiterated again shortly thereafter, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (D&C 5:15, 6:28).  Those were spoken in the context of the Book of Mormon, and the Three Witnesses of the reality of the Book of Mormon were a foundation of the Restoration itself.  The Book of Mormon even prophesied of this event: “None shall behold it save it be that three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of God” (2 Nephi 27:12).  Joseph reiterated the principle many years later as he wrote to the Saints about the importance of having witnesses to record the baptisms for the dead: “Naming also some three individuals that are present, if there be any present, who can at any time when called upon certify to the same, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” (D&C 128:3).    

                The Savior spoke one other time about the concept of “three witnesses” and the principle is profoundly taught in the Pearl of Great Price.  He said, “And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one” (1 John 5:8).  We learn more about what He meant in His words to Adam recorded in the book of Moses: “Ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin….  For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified” (Moses 6:59-60).  So of the different contexts in which we think of the principle of three witnesses, perhaps this is the most important for us personally.  We seek to be born again and we seek three signs to give witness of that: the water of our baptism, the Spirit and Gift of the Holy Ghost that guides us and justifies us before God, and the blood of Christ which will purify and sanctify those who come unto Him.