Twenty-Two (1827)For over a year, the rumors persisted among those who came in contact with Joseph
and the Book of Mormon. Over time, the rumors turned a simple event of viewing the
breastplate and Urim and Thummim into claims of also being shown the sword of Laban
and the Liahona (“the directors”^82 that are mentioned in the Book of Mormon). Some of those
present when Joseph showed the U&T and breastplate related their special witness and their
worthiness to be part of the event. This, of course, made everyone who heard the story
jealous and desirous of the same experience. Later historians have spent countless hours
attempting to verify the stories about the sword of Laban and the Liahona, none of which
they can honestly authenticate. The sword of Laban and the Liahona were not part of the
deposited artifacts that Joseph received from Moroni.
The Book of Mormon said there would be three witnesses to the plates.^83 In June of 1829,
after being badgered incessantly by Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to be chosen as two of
these “special witnesses,” Joseph gave them one of his “revelations.” The way it was later
canonized in LDS/Mormon scripture, however, was not how Joseph gave it by his mouth. In
fact, section 17 of the modern LDS Doctrine and Covenants, which first declared that Cowdery,
Whitmer, and Harris would be the promised “Three Witnesses,” was not part of the original
1833 Book of Commandments; and, had it been Joseph’s choice, it never would have been included
in any publication.
Often, when Joseph received a “revelation,” he would turn to look out the window so
that none could observe the frustration on his face as he composed in his mind what he had
been trained to give the people—what they wanted to hear. While Cowdery and Whitmer were
again lamenting over not being present when Joseph showed the breastplate to Harris (among
the few others mentioned above), Joseph rolled his eyes, and said:
If you were more humble in your desires and relied upon the Lord to give his
word as he sees necessary, then maybe you would be allowed to see the
breastplate, as well as the plates, and maybe in your case even the sword of
Laban and the Liahona.The men were giddy with excitement that, now, it was even possible to see these things;
and after Joseph made the statement, their desire to become the special witnesses increased.
Joseph left the men to themselves, went off by himself, and received confirmation that these
men were the ones to whom the plates would be shown. He returned to the men and gave them
the “revelation” that they desired.
Of course, Cowdery and Whitmer never did see the sword of Laban, the Liahona,
or the breastplate; nor did they ever claim in truthfulness that they had. Later accounts
and testimonies have attempted to reconcile LDS/Mormon history with the revelation’s
mention of the sword and directors. Regardless of what the people desired to believe,
again, there was never a sword and never a Liahona given to Joseph at that time, or any
time thereafter.
As for the breastplate, after showing it to the few people mentioned above, Joseph
returned it to the Brothers, who melted it down, separated its alloys, and made a set of plates
and cups that they carry with them to this day. With subtle humor, they often quip that they eat
and drink the sweat of Moroni—referring to the fact that Moroni’s sweat covered the breastplate
as he battled while wearing it. The breastplate has forever disappeared from LDS/Mormon
knowledge and possession—now it is known why. But the imagined stories and legends
concerning it never have.