The Lord ordained the law of witnesses. Explaining that law, Paul wrote: “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1; cf. Deuteronomy 19:15).
Thus, in the establishment of his latter-day kingdom, the Lord chose to share the burden of proof, to spread the weight of testimony, among more than his chosen Prophet. In speaking to future generations—and specifically to the seer of the last days, Joseph Smith—Moroni wrote: “And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates unto those who shall asset to bring forth this work; and unto three shall they be shown by the power of God; wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true” (Ether 5:2-3).