Salt Lake Tribune | 1910-01-05 | Page 6 | David Whitmer's Testimony

DAVID WHITMER'S TESTIMONY As one of Iho "evidences" of the truth of the Book of Mormon story Uld by Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonlsm, the investigator is invariably invar-iably roferred to the testimony of David Whltnicr, one of -the "three witnesses." wit-nesses." If Mr. Whitnier's testimony upon thnt point was good, it must be accepted by Mormons as being of equal value in respect to other matters. With that logical conclusion in mind, wo present the following, which we find in his "An Address to All T3cliQy-ors T3cliQy-ors in Christ." pngc f5: To show yon thai Brother Joseph aud myself still loved each other as brethren after this, I will tell you thnt he had so much confidence in me that !n July. 1854. he ordained me his successor as 'Prophet Seer nnd Revelntor" to the church. He did this of his own free will nnd not at nnv solicitation whalover on my part. I did not- know what he was going to do until he laid his hands upon me and ordained me. Now. bonr in mind, brethren, that I am not claiming this office: as I have told you. I do not believe In any such an office In the Church of Christ. Now, those -who are fond of attempting attempt-ing to prove the divinity ofi tho origin of the Pook of Mormon by David Whit-mcr's Whit-mcr's testimony, and who at. tho same time declare that Bxighnm Young was the legal successor ot .Joseph Smilii as prophet, seer and rovelator to tho Mormon Mor-mon churen. are placed in a rathor peculiar pe-culiar position through this particular assoition and claim made by D-'i:l Wbitmer. Mr. Whitmor was alivo and hale aud hearty at the time Joseph was killed; and if tho founder of the 'cln::ih had set apart and otdainr J David Whir-mcr Whir-mcr as his successor, why did not the Lord if the Lord had anything to do willi it at ah opon up the -way for David's ascension" fo the Mormon throne? It is true that Mr. Wbitmer loft tue church, but. that should mnkr no difference with the purposes of the Almighty as expressed and determined through His authorized mouthpiece. Besides, if David is to be believed in one thing, why not. in another? And if in the other, then tin church hps .ill gone wrong thiough Brigham.