In late 1829, Joseph Smith Jr. gathered a small group of family and friends to a secluded spot in these woods and showed them the gold plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. He allowed each of the eight participants to hold the ancient record, turn its pages, and examine its characters. They then prepared a written testimony published in the Book of Mormon, declaring that Joseph Smith, Jun., had shown them the plates, that they had the appearance of gold, that they had handled the leaves Smith had translated, and that they had seen the engravings on them, which appeared ancient and of curious workmanship. They affirmed with words of soberness that they had seen and hefted the plates, knew of a surety that Smith had them, and gave their names to witness to the world what they had seen: Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Jun., John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith, Sen., Hyrum Smith, and Samuel H. Smith.