Ancestor Meets Martin Harris

Brother James Wadsworth

The following video clip was recorded on 9 March 2025.

2 minutes 49 seconds

Martin Harris in his old age (left) and Robert Aveson as a young man (right)

The Martin Harris image was found via Google search.  The Robert Aveson image was found in Memories on FamilySearch.org.  

Transcript

Over the past several weeks, our "Come Follow Me" lessons have said much about Martin Harris, one of the three primary witnesses of the golden plates, from which the Book of Mormon was translated.  Last week we studied Doctrine & Covenants, Section 19, which again put the spot light on Martin Harris.  Martin Harris sacrificed much in bringing forth the Book of Mormon.  He lost mortgaged and eventually lost 151 acres of his farm.  This added stress to his marriage, and he ultimately lost his wife.

In my early teens I first read a missionary pamphlet about the Three Witnesses, and I have always been impressed that none of these witnesses ever denied seeing and handling the plates, seeing the Angel Moroni, and hearing the voice of the Lord. Even though all three witnesses left the church, none of them ever denied this most amazing experience.  

History tells us that Oliver Cowdrey and Martin Harris both rejoined the Church, and Martin Harris ended up in Cache County, Utah.  This is where my great grandfather, Robert Aveson, met Martin Harris.  Martin Harris was 92 years old at the time.  Robert Aveson, was 26.  Here is what Robert Aveson wrote about his experience nearly 151 years ago. 

"In [July of] 1874... I paid a visit to some friends in Smithfield, where I had the pleasure of meeting Martin Harris, one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon. He was in his 92nd year...  He was seated under a shade tree. The sun was shining brightly and the birds were chirping as they flitted from tree to bush.

...As we met together under the shade tree, I had a very pleasant interview with Martin. In answer to my questions: 'Did you see the golden plates?' 'Did you see the angel?' He replied in substance: 'It is not a mere belief, but is a matter of knowledge. I saw the plates and the inscriptions thereon. I saw the angel, and he showed them unto me.'

...The interview strengthened my faith in regard to the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon. From the assurance within me I knew positively that Martin Harris was speaking the truth.

A year from the date we had the interview, the life's mission of Marin Harris was finished. He passed away on the 10th of July 1875, in his 93rd year."

By the way, my grandmother Florence Mary Aveson Wadsworth, Robert Aveson's second to the youngest child, remembered her father telling the story saying "In answer to my question to Martin Harris, 'Did you see the angel?'  Martin Harris said, 'As sure as the sun is shining today I saw an angel.'"