DIRECT EXTERNAL EVIDENCES--THE TESTIMONY OF THE THREE
WITNESSES--SUBSEQUENT LIFE AND TESTIMONIES. Continued.
DAVID WHITMER.
David Whitmer continued to repeat his testimony to the truth of the
Book of Mormon up to and including the very day of his death. Living
for many years at Richmond, Missouri--from 1838 to 1888, half a
century--he was frequently visited by all sorts of people, and in the
latter years of his life by newspaper representatives especially, who
came to inquire concerning the testimony he had given to the world
to the truth of the Book of Mormon. For all these parties he had but
one answer: "My testimony written in the Book of Mormon is true."
It was sometimes elaborated by the addition of a description of the
circumstances under which the great revelation was given, but there
was never any deviation from the main facts published in his testimony
which accompanies the Book of Mormon. He was not always fairly treated
by those whose questions he answered; his statements were sometimes
misrepresented, much to his annoyance; and having been taught the
necessity for it by sad experience, in the later years of his life, he
always took the precaution to have one or more of his personal friends
present at interviews he granted to strangers.
Referring to these acts of misrepresentation concerning his testimony,
in his pamphlet, "Address to all Believers in Christ", he makes the
following refutation of the charges of denial:
It is recorded in the American Cyclopaedia and the Encyclopaedia
Britannica, that I, David Whitmer, have denied my testimony as one
of the Three Witnesses to the divinity of the Book of Mormon; and
that the other two Witnesses, Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris,
denied their testimony to that book. I will say once more to all
mankind, that I have never at any time denied that testimony or
any part thereof. I also testify to the world, that neither Oliver
Cowdery nor Martin Harris ever at any time denied their testimony.
They both died reaffirming the truth of the divine authenticity
of the Book of Mormon. I was present at the death bed of Oliver
Cowdery, and his last words were, "Brother David, be true to
your testimony to the Book of Mormon." He died here in Richmond,
Missouri, on March 3, 1850. Many witnesses yet live in Richmond,
who will testify to the truth of these facts, as well as to the
good character of Oliver Cowdery. The very powers of darkness
have combined against the Book of Mormon, to prove that it is not
the word of God, and this should go to prove to men of spiritual
understanding, that the Book is true. To show the reader what I
have had to contend with, I give you below a copy of a leaflet
which I had printed and distributed in March, 1881:
A PROCLAMATION
Unto all nations, kindred, tongues, and people, unto whom these
presents shall come:
It having been represented by one John Murphy, of Polo, Caldwell
county, Missouri, that I, in a conversation with him last Summer,
denied my testimony as one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of
Mormon.
To the end, therefore, that he may understand me now, if he did not
then; and that the world may know the truth, I wish now, standing
as it were, in the very sunset of life, and in the fear of God,
once for all to make this public statement:
That I never have at any time denied that testimony or any part
thereof which has so long since been published with that book, as
one of the Three Witnesses. Those who know me best well know that
I have always adhered to that testimony. And that no man may be
misled or doubt my present views in regard to the same, I do again
affirm the truth of all my statements, as then made and published.
"He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear;" it was no delusion.
What is written is written, and he that readeth let him understand.
* * * I do not indorse any of the teachings of the so-called
"Mormons," or Latter-day Saints, which are in conflict with the
gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as taught in the Bible
and Book of Mormon; for the same gospel is plainly taught in both
these books as I understand the word of God.
And if any man doubt, should he not carefully and honestly read
and understand the same, before presuming to sit in judgment and
condemn the light, which shineth in darkness, and showeth the way
of eternal life as pointed out by the unerring hand of God?
In the Spirit of Christ who hath said: "Follow thou me, for I am
the life, the light and the way," I submit this statement to the
world. God in whom I trust, being my judge as to the sincerity of
my motives and the faith and hope that is in me of eternal life.
My sincere desire is that the world may be benefited by this plain
and simple statement of the truth.
And all the honor be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost,
which is one God. Amen.
(Signed) DAVID WHITMER.
Richmond, Missouri, March 19, 1881.
We the undersigned citizens of Richmond, Ray county, Missouri,
where David Whitmer has resided since the year A. D. 1838, certify
that we have been long and intimately acquainted with him and know
him to be a man of the highest integrity, and of undoubted truth
and veracity.
Given at Richmond, Missouri, this March 19, A. D. 1881:
Gen. Alexander W. Doniphan.
Hon. George W. Dunn, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit.
Thomas D. Woodson, President of Ray Co. Savings Bank.
J. T. Child, editor of "Conservator".
H. C. Garner, Cashier of Ray Co. Savings Bank.
W. A. Holman, County Treasurer.
J. S. Hughes, Banker, Richmond.
James Hughes, Banker, Richmond.
D. P. Whitmer, Attorney-at-Law.
Hon. Jas. W. Black, Attorney-at-Law.
L. C. Cantwell, Postmaster, Richmond.
George I. Wasson, Mayor.
Jas. A. Davis, County Collector.
C. J. Hughes, Probate Judge and Presiding Justice of Ray County
Court.
Geo. W. Trigg, County Clerk.
W. W. Mosby, M. D.
Thos. McGinnis, ex-Sheriff Ray County.
J. P. Quesenberry, Merchant.
W. R. Holman, Furniture Merchant.
Lewis Slaughter, Recorder of Deeds.
Geo. W. Buchanan, M. D.
A. K. Reyburn.
At the same time the "Richmond Conservator" of March 24, 1881, said,
editorially:
AN EXPLANATION
Elsewhere we publish a letter from David Whitmer, an old and well
known citizen of Ray, [county] as well as an indorsement of his
standing as a man, signed by a number of the leading citizens of
this community, in reply to some unwarranted aspersions made upon
him. There is no doubt that Mr. Whitmer, who was one of the Three
Witnesses of the authenticity of the gold plates, from which he
asserts that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon (a fac
simile of the characters he now has in his possession with the
original records), is firmly convinced of its divine origin, and
while he makes no effort to obtrude his views or beliefs, he simply
wants the world to know that so far as he is concerned there is
no "variableness or shadow of turning." Having resided here for
near a half a century, it is with no little pride that he points
to his past record with the consciousness that he has done nothing
derogatory to his character as a citizen and a believer in the Son
of Mary, to warrant such an attack on him, come from what source it
may, and now with the lillies of seventy-five winters crowning him
like an aureole, and his pilgrimage on earth well nigh ended, he
reiterates his former statements, and will leave futurity to solve
the problem that he was but a passing witness to its fulfilment.
David Whitmer died at his home in Richmond, on the 25th of January,
1888, in the eighty-fourth year of his life. His final testimony was
given under the following circumstances:
On the evening of Sunday, January 22, at half past five o'clock,
Mr. Whitmer called his family and a number of his friends to his
bedside, and to them delivered his dying testimony. Addressing
his attendant physician he said: "Dr. Buchanan, I want you to
say whether or not I am in my right mind before I give my last
testimony." The doctor answered: "Yes, you are in your right mind,
for I have just had a conversation with you." He then directed his
words to all who surrounded him, saying:
Now, you must all be faithful in Christ. I want to say to you all
that the Bible and the record of the Nephites (Book of Mormon),
are true, so you can say that you have heard me bear my testimony
on my death bed. All be faithful in Christ and your reward will be
according to your works. God bless you all. My trust is in Christ
for ever, worlds without end. Amen.
* * * *
On Monday last (Jan. 23rd), at 10 o'clock a. m., after awaking from
a short slumber he said he had seen beyond the veil and had seen
Christ on the other side. His friends who were constantly at his
bedside claim that he had many manifestations of the truths of the
great beyond, which confirmed their faith beyond all shadow of
doubt. He bore his long illness with great patience and fortitude,
his faith, never for a moment wavering, and when the summons came,
he sank peacefully to rest with a smile on his countenance, just as
if he was being lulled to sleep by secret music. Just before his
breath left his body, he opened his eyes, which glistened with the
brightness of early manhood. He then turned them toward heaven, and
a wonderful light came over his countenance, which remained several
moments, when the eyes gradually closed and David Whitmer had gone
to his rest. [1]
In the same issue of the paper from which this account of his death is
taken, occurs the following description of Whitmer's connection with
the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and his being a Witness of its
truth. Some inaccuracies as to details must be allowed for here, such
as the omission of Martin Harris' name as one of the Three Witnesses,
and the time of day that Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith called upon
him in the field to go with them to become a witness to the Book of
Mormon. Other accounts state that they came to him in the morning
instead of the afternoon. [2] And it should be remembered that what
follows is not given in the language of David Whitmer:
When he was twenty-four years of age and worked on his father's
farm near Palmyra, New York, all that section of the country was
more or less excited over the reported discovery by Joseph Smith
of the gold plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated.
Oliver Cowdery, the village school teacher, mentioned the matter to
him and announced his determination to visit Smith and investigate
the matter for himself, promising Mr. Whitmer, at the latter's
request, to advise him of the result. A few days later he [Whitmer]
received a letter from Cowdery, urging him to join him, which
he did, being received by the "Prophet" with open arms. After
remaining long enough to satisfy himself of the divine inspiration
of Smith, the three returned to Whitmer's home, where it was agreed
that the work of translation should be prosecuted.
Shortly after his return, and while he was plowing in the field
one afternoon, he was visited by Smith and Cowdery, who requested
that he should accompany them into the woods on the hill across
the road for the purpose of witnessing a manifestation that should
qualify him and Cowdery to bear witness to the divine authenticity
of the Book of Mormon. Smith explaining that such procedure was in
accordance with explicit instructions he had received from an angel
of the Lord.
Repairing to the woods they engaged in prayer for a short time,
when suddenly a great light shone around about them, far brighter
and more dazzling than the brilliancy of the noon day sun,
seemingly enveloping the wood for a considerable distance. A spirit
of elevation seized him as of joy indescribable and a strange
influence stole over him, which so entranced him that he felt that
he was chained to the spot. A moment later and a divine personage,
clothed in white raiment, appeared unto them, and immediately in
front of the personage stood a table on which lay a number of gold
plates, some brass plates, the "Urim and Thummim" and the "sword of
Laban." All of these they were directed to examine carefully, and
after their examination they were told that the Lord would demand
that they bear witness thereof to all the world. * * * * * * * *
While describing this vision to us, all traces of a severe cold
from which he was suffering disappeared for the time being, his
form straightened, his countenance assumed almost a beautiful
expression, and his tones became strangely eloquent. Although
evidently no studied effort, the description was a magnificent
piece of word painting, and he carried his hearers with him to that
lonely hill by the old farm, and they stood there with him awed in
the divine presence. Skeptics may laugh and scoff if they will, but
no man could listen to Mr. Whitmer as he talks of his interview
with the angel of the Lord, without being most forcibly convinced
that he has heard an honest man tell what he honestly believes to
be true. [3].
David Whitmer, like Oliver Cowdery, was excommunicated from the Church,
and at about the same time. [4] But unlike Oliver Cowdery, he never
returned, but remained estranged from the Church to the last day of
his life. Still he always manifested a friendly disposition towards
all believers in the Book of Mormon, however mistaken he may have
considered them to be in the matter of Church affiliation. But while
out of the Church as when in it, and certainly having no worldly
purpose to serve by continuing in such a course, he steadfastly, as we
have seen, adhered to his testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon.
Footnotes
1. This account of David Whitmer's death is from the _Richmond
Democrat_, of the 26th of January, 1888, a paper published in the town
where his death occurred. It is copied into the _Deseret News_ of the
8th of February, 1888; and in the _Millennial Star_, vol. 50, p. 139.
2. See statement of David Whitmer to William H. Kelley, G. A.
Blakeslee, Sept. 15, 1882. _Braden and Kelley Debate,_ p. 187.
3. _Richmond Democrat_, issue of Jan. 26, 1888.
4. For the same reasons that were given in the foot note explaining the
case of Oliver Cowdery, I here give the charges brought against David
Whitmer and sustained before the High Council: 1st. Not observing the
Word of Wisdom, (See Doc. and Cov., sec. 89). 2nd. Unchristianlike
conduct in neglecting to attend meetings, and uniting with and
possessing the same spirit as the dissenters. 3rd. Writing letters to
the dissenters in Kirtland, unfavorable to the cause and character
of Joseph Smith, Jr. 4th. Neglecting the duties of his calling, and
separating himself from the Church. 5th. Signing himself president of
the Church of Christ in an insulting letter to the High Council, after
he had been cut off from the presidency. The presidency of the Church
alluded to was a local presidency over the Church in Missouri, in which
position the Saints, some time before his arraignment before the High
Council, refused to sustain him. (See Mill. Star, vol. 16, pp. 133,
134, also Missouri Persecutions, pp. 180-1.)