This simple leather wallet belonged to Martin Harris, who is arguably one of the more complicated figures in early Church history. This simple leather wallet belonged to Martin Harris, 1 who is arguably one of the more complicated figures in early Church history.
While most Church members know him as the man who borrowed and lost the first pages of the Book of Mormon manuscript, he was also chosen as one of three witnesses to whom the angel Moroni showed the plates from which the record was translated. And while his association with the Church later became inconsistent, he never wavered in his witness of the Book of Mormon. When the translation was finished, Joseph found printing costs to be prohibitive.
Three thousand dollars is a generous loan in any era. In a revelation given through Joseph Smith, the Lord told Martin:. I command thee that thou shalt not covet thine own property, but impart it freely to the printing of the Book of Mormon, which contains the truth and the word of God. Impart a portion of thy property, yea, even part of thy lands, and all save the support of thy family.
Pay the debt thou hast contracted with the printer. Release thyself from bondage. Doctrine and Covenants , 34β Obeying this commandment, Martin sold acres of his property to pay the debt. In addition to this great financial sacrifice, Martin sacrificed much for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, Martin remained faithful to the Church and to Joseph for many years, serving as a missionary and high councilor.
Many people heard him testify of what he had seen and heard as one of the Three Witnesses. I saw the plates and the inscriptions thereon. I saw the angel, and he showed them unto me. Museum Treasures This simple leather wallet belonged to Martin Harris, who is arguably one of the more complicated figures in early Church history.
