Testimony of the Eight Witnesses

(The highlights are mine and the words in blue font are my comments. red 2022 )

The Testimony of Eight Witnesses - 1829

Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands; kind of makes it sound like they may have only been shown the number of plates Joseph had translated and not the whole set, which would include the sealed portion. Or...it could be saying, they could turn the pages of the one's he'd translated but not the sealed part... and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen. And we lie not, God bearing witness of it.

Christian Whitmer - (died in 1835)

Jacob Whitmer - (excommunicated, but no evidence ever denied this witness)

Peter Whitmer, Jun. - (died in 1836; his mother was shown the plates by the angel Moroni)

John Whitmer - (became inactive, but no evidence ever denied this witness)

Hiram Page - (brother-in-law to John Whitmer; became inactive, never denied)

Joseph Smith, Sen. -(Joseph's father)

Hyrum Smith -(Joseph's brother)

Samuel H. Smith - - (Joseph's brother)

These witnesses were either from Joseph's family or the Whitmer family. Why did the Whitmer's struggle so much? (Died, inactive, or excommunicated)