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Show -THE UTAH EVANGELIST.- <br><br> STATEMENT OF DAVID WHITMER. <br> EDITOR EVANGELIST: <br> Dear Sir*: The only reply that I desire to make to Mr. McNiece is to refer him to my challenge in your last issue as my ultimatum in the matter. I shall, therefore, feel obliged if, as an act of justice to David Whitmer, you will kindly publish his statement and that of the "Conservator," Respectfully, E. C. BRAND. <br> The following is Whitmer's statement: <br> "Unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, unto whom these presents shall come: It having been represented by one, John Murphy, of Polo, Caldwell county, Mo., that I, in a conversation with him last summer, denied my testimony as one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon. <br> "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 have never 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. <br> He that hath an ear let him hear; it was no delusion! What is written is written-and he that readeth let him understand. <br> And that no one may be deceived or misled by this statement, I wish here to state that I do not indorse polygamy or spiritual wifeism. It is a great evil, shocking to the moral sense, and the more so because practiced in the name of religion. It is of man, and not of God, and is especially forbidden in the Book of Mormon itself. <br> "I do not indorse the change of the name of the Church, for as the wife takes the name of her husband, so should the Church of the Lamb of God take the name of its head, even Christ himself. It is the Church of Christ. <br> As to the High Priesthood, Jesus Christ himself is the last great High Priest, this too after the order of Melchisedec [sic], as I understand the Holy Scriptures. <br> Finally-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. <br> And if any man doubt, should he not carefully and honestly read and understand the same, before presuming to sit in judgment and condemning the light which shineth in darkness, and showeth the way of eternal life as pointed out by the unerring hand of God. <br> 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. <br> My sincere desire is that the world may be benefited by this plain and simple statement of the truth. <br> And all the honor be to the Father, and to the Son and the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen! <br> DAVID WHITMER, SR. <br> RICHMOND. Mo., March 19th, 1881. <br><br> AN EXPLANATION. <br> Elsewhere we publish a letter from David Whitmer, Sr., an old and well known citizen of Ray, as well as an indorsement [sic] 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. <br> 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 Joe 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 efforts to obtrude his views or belief, 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 nearly 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 lilies 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 of its fulfillment. His attacks on the vileness that has sprung up with the Utah Church must have a salutary effect on those bigamists who have made adultery the corner-stone in the edifice of their belief.- Conservator, March 24th, 1881. <br><br> Mr. Whitmer's denial is emphatic; but in order to settle the matter fully, it would be necessary to get the testimony of "Mr. John Murphy, of Polo, Caldwell county, Mo.," alluded to above, and others through whom the report was spread abroad that Whitmer denied his testimony with regard to the plates. It seems strange that such a report should have got abroad without there being some foundation for fact in it, <br> However, the whole thing amounts to nothing; as Mr. McNiece remarks in our April number: "Grant all that these men say and it proves nothing more than that Smith had some metallic plates in his possession such as many other men have had." The witnesses have testified nothing as to the contents of these plates, knowing nothing about that, and hence their testimony amounts to nothing. <br> We are glad to see that Mr. Whitmer expresses such abhorrence of polygamy. Such sentiments do credit to him as a man; for polygamy certainly is "a great evil, shocking to the moral sense, etc." The great prophet, Joseph, in whom he seems to place such implicit reliance, differs from him in this respect, for in a "Revelation given through Joseph, the Seer, in Nauvoo, Hancock county, Ills., July 12th, 1843," we find these words: <br> "And let mine handmaid, Emma Smith," (Joseph's wife) "receive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure before me, etc., and I will bless and multiply my servant Joseph, and give unto him an hundred-fold in this world, of fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, wives* and children, and crowns of eternal lives in the eternal worlds." <br> Thus much with regard to Joseph and his private affairs. Further on in the same connection the general law is revealed: <br> "And again as pertaining to the law of the Priesthood: If any man espouses a virgin, and desire another and the first give her consent; and if he espouse the second and they are virgins and have vowed to no other man; then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him. And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him and they are given unto him, therefore is he justified." <br> "So much for the Priesthood. In the same revelation the Lord gently warns his wife Emma Smith, to overlook any of Joseph's little shortcomings in the following words: <br> "And again, verily I say, let mine handmaid forgive my servant Joseph his trespasses; and then shall she be forgiven her trespasses, wherein she has trespassed against me; and I, the Lord thy God, will bless her and multiply her and make her heart to rejoice." Doctrines and Covenants, Sec. 132. <br> Brethren, if you accept Joseph Smith, you must accept polygamy with him. <br> [EDITOR.] <br><br> The young ladies S. T. A. R. society of the Collegiate Institute gave an entertainment and social in the Institute on Friday evening, April 11th, at which about one hundred invited guests were present. The question "Is woman more useful in a public or private life," was discussed in a very forcible way. Then followed recitations serious and comic, songs, and last of all, refreshments; all being prepared by the young ladies themselves. The exercises were of a high order, and the young ladies deserve credit. <br><br> The EVANGELIST is not conducted as a money-making arrangement, but for the purposes mentioned on the first page. We would be glad if the ministers and teachers would send us any voluntary contributions to our columns, either with regard to their school work, or the questions in which we are all so much interested, and thus make it their own paper. <br><br> Several new ministers and teachers will be needed in Utah next Fall, to fill new and vacant fields of work. <br><br><br> * words are italicized, including phrase "Dear Sir" <br><br> |
