Ether 5
People in this chapter
This is one of the shortest chapters in the Book of Mormon, and it is addressed to one person. Moroni writes to whoever will hold the plates in a future day: touch them not in order that ye may translate the sealed part (v. 1). Latter-day Saints recognize that reader as Joseph Smith.
Tap any highlighted phrase to jump to the commentary that unpacks it.
Ether 5:1Touch Them Not
1And now I, Moroni, have written the words which were commanded me, according to my memory; and I have told you the things which I have sealed up; therefore touch them not in order that ye may translate; for that thing is forbidden you, except by and by it shall be wisdom in God.
Moroni writes to the future translator of the plates and tells him not to translate the sealed part, at least not yet.
Ether 5:2-3Unto Three Shall They Be Shown
2And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work; 3And unto three shall they be shown by the power of God; wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true.
Moroni prophesies that the translator may show the plates to helpers, and that three people will be shown them by God's power so they know the record is true.
Ether 5:4-6The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost Bear Record
4And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day.
Moroni says the work will be established by three witnesses. This follows an old law that truth is confirmed by more than one witness.
5And if it so be that they repent and come unto the Father in the name of Jesus, they shall be received into the kingdom of God.
6And now, if I have no authority for these things, judge ye; for ye shall know that I have authority when ye shall see me, and we shall stand before God at the last day. Amen.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- Testimony of Three WitnessesThe testimony of the three men who saw the plates by the power of God, fulfilling verses 3-4.
- Doctrine and Covenants 17The Lord's revelation to the Three Witnesses before they saw the plates.
- Witnesses of the Book of MormonScriptures on the witnesses foretold by Moroni and Nephi.
- Witnesses of the Book of MormonThe historical account of the Three and Eight Witnesses and what became of them.
Where this echoes in Scripture
Touch Them Not
- 2 Nephi 27:21Touch not the things which are sealed, for I will bring them forth in mine own due time.
- 2 Nephi 27:10The revelation which was sealed shall be kept in the book until the own due time of the Lord.
- Ether 4:5He commanded me that I should seal them up; and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof.
Unto Three Shall They Be Shown
- 2 Nephi 27:12-14Save it be that three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of God ... and they shall testify to the truth of the book.Nephi foresaw the same witnesses.
- D&C 17:1-3You shall have a view of the plates ... and after that you have obtained faith, and have seen them with your eyes, you shall testify of them, by the power of God.
- D&C 5:11-12The testimony of three of my servants, whom I shall call and ordain, unto whom I will show these things.
The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost Bear Record
- Deuteronomy 19:15At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
- 3 Nephi 11:36Thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me.
- John 14:6No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
- Moroni 10:34To meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead.
- Joseph Smith-History 1:33He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni.