“In the Mouth of as Many Witnesses as Seemeth Him Good Will He Establish His Word”

In addition to the Three Witnesses, the "few" others who were allowed to see the plates included: Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Junior, John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith, Senior, Hyrum Smith and Samuel H. Smith. So not only Joseph Smith was allowed to see and handle the precious gold plates but so were eleven others.