Chapter 32

The testimony of Elizabeth Ann Whitmer Cowdery on the method and translation of the Book of Mormon.

(William E. McLellin to "My Dear Friends," February 1870, Miscellaneous Letters and Papers, Community of Christ Library Archives, Independence, Missouri.)

1

I cheerfully certify that I was familiar with the manner of Joseph Smith Jr.'s translating the book of Mormon.

2

He translated the most of it at my father's house.

3

And I often sat by and saw and heard them translate and write for hours together.

4

Joseph never had a curtain drawn between him and his scribe while he was translating.

5

He would place the director in his hat, and then place his face in his hat, so as to exclude the light, and then read to his scribe the words as they appeared before him.