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 Hyrun Smith

Testimony of Hyrum Smith
 One of the eight witnesses to The Book of Mormon.
Brother to Joseph Smith the Prophet.
Second Counselor to President Joseph Smith from November 7, 1837, to January 24, 1841.
Presiding Patriarch of the Church from January 24, 1841, to June 27, 1844.

  << Times & Seasons, Hyrum Smith's Testimony
“Having given my testimony to the world of the truth of the Book of Mormon, the renewal of the everlasting covenant, and the establishment of the kingdom of heaven, in these last days; and having been brought into great afflictions and distresses for the same, I thought that it might be strengthening to my beloved brethren, to give them a short account of my sufferings, for the truth's sake, and the state of my mind and feelings, while under circumstances of the most trying and afflicting nature. I had been abused, thrust into a dungeon, and confined for months on account of my faith, and the testimony of Jesus Christ. However, I thank God that I felt a determination to die, rather than deny the things which my eyes had seen, which my hands had handled, and which I had borne testimony to -- [This statement is in reference to his testimony to the existence of the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated.] -- wherever my lot had been cast; and I can assure my beloved brethren that I was enabled to bear as strong a testimony, when nothing but death presented itself, as ever I did in my life. My confidence in God was likewise unshaken. I knew that He who suffered me, along with my brethren, to be thus tried, that He could and that He would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies; and in His own due time He did so, for which I desire to bless and praise His holy name.  Every word of God is of importance, whether it be the word contained in the Bible, in the Book of Mormon, or in the Doctrine and Covenants, for "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God." The principles that are taught in the Bible are pure, and ought to be adhered to, and if people adhere to that teaching, it will prove their salvation. The principles that are taught in the Book of Mormon are also pure, and holy and righteous, and will, if followed, lead men to God. And the principles that are taught in the book of Doctrine and Covenants are from God, they are principles of righteousness, they are given for a blessing to the human family, and the salvation, temporal and spiritual, of his saints; and that man who wantonly departs from any of the revelations of Jehovah, and treats lightly the word of God, whether contained in the book of Doctrine and Covenants, the Book of Mormon, or the Bible, is void of understanding; he is not wise concerning the doings of the Lord, the plan of salvation, the past dealings, present designs, or future purposes of the Almighty.”
(Times and Seasons, Vol 1, November 1839 - October 1840, p. 23)  (A portion of a letter written by Hyrum Smith from Liberty Jail in 1839.)