David whitmer testimony of the book of mormon

The book of mormon narrative is full of absurdities that demonstrate its a work of fiction. Smith, this report the whitmer interview would be much more conclusive had it. David whitmer and the cumorah messenger moronis america. Although whitmer was excommunicated from the church in 1838, he never repudiated his testimony of the book of mormon, reaffirming it thereafter on at least seventy recorded occasions. Why is david whitmers witness of the book of mormon so. David whitmers testimony varied as to the objective versus the subjective nature of the experience, but he also spoke of the angel and gold plates in visionary terms. While this report is accurate, the underlying reality is more complex. David whitmer, for example, one of the three witnesses, related that his. David whitmer relates his account of seeing the gold plates with martin harris and oliver cowdery. David whitmer, one of the book of mormons three witnesses, said. Jacob whitmer one of the eight witnesses to the book of mormon, was the second son of peter whitmer, sen. Debunking fairmormon letter to a ces director witnesses. The remaining whitmer family members left the church at the same time and together they moved to ray county, missouri where david died in 1888.

The earliest possible connection between the new york hill and the book of mormon cumorah comes from an 1878 interview with david whitmer by orson pratt and joseph f. Once he left the church he continued to use his testimony of the bom as a means of gaining authority in subsequent mormon based movements including his own. If david whitmer is a credible witness, why are we only using his testimony of the book of mormon while ignoring his other testimony claiming that god himself spoke to whitmer by his own voice from the heavens in june 1838 commanding whitmer to apostatize from the lords one and only true church. During one mob attack, david whitmer was threatened with death if he would not admit that the book of mormon was a fraud. In late 1837 and early 1838, four of the eleven witnesses to the book of mormonmartin harris, john whitmer, oliver cowdery, and david whitmerwere formally cut off from the church, while jacob whitmer and hiram page became disaffected and left on their own. Remember that all three denied the mormon faith at one point, and one never came back to the mormon church going to his grave denying his testimony, yet mormons still use his testimony for the book of mormon. We view him as a man that was misled by satan into attacking the position of joseph smith. We learn about his life and what he was willing to sacrifice for his testimony of the book of mormon. Apr 21, 2020 david whitmer had been out of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints for many decades when he died in richmond, missouri, on 25 january 1888. David whitmer and the great richmond tornado of 1878 dan. In his youth, jacob was educated and learned hard work by helping to run the whitmer farm.

This video also depicts how the three men remained true to their testimonies. David whitmer was interviewed by john murphy in june 1880. Marsh, history of thomas baldwin marsh, millenial star, 26 1864. David whitmer died at his home in richmond, on the 25th of january, 1888, in the eightyfourth year of his life.

Another witness who left her testimony was elizabeth ann whitmer cowdery, davids sister and wife of oliver. For a number of reasons, david whitmers lifelong testimony is uniquely valuable. Witnesses to the book of mormon david whitmer general. In 1833 when missouri vigilantes were harassing the mormons, a mob of about five hundred men put davids testimony to the test. Unto all nations, kindred tongues and people, unto whom these presents shall come. David whitmer 18051888 was one of the three witnesses to the book of mormon whose testimony has been printed in all published copies. David whitmer, hereupon, lifted up his hands and bore witness that the book of mormon was the word of god. David whitmer said god commanded him to leave the saints if you believe my testimony to the book of mormon. Cook has done us a considerable service in gathering together all the reports of all the known interviews given by david whitmer on the subject of the book of mormon, to which he was a witness.

Book of mormon witnesses all later denied its truthfulness. May 23, 2019 in this episode we discuss one of the book of mormon witnesses, david whitmer. They were led out of their errors, and are upon the record to this effect, rejecting the book of doctrine and covenants. One of these visitors was a witness to the book and had seen an angel which declared its truth his name was david whitmer. Ive previously mentioned the testimonies of martin harris and emma smith that affirm whitmers. David whitmer took advantage of his high office in the church for his own personal gain.

In fact, david whitmer never returned to the lds church that he was a witness for, but joined splinter groups that denied the original. In 1829, when joseph smith was in the middle of translating the book of mormon, people in harmony, pennsylvania, were becoming increasingly aggressive towards him. David whitmer 18051888 david became the most interviewed of the three witnesses to the book of mormons golden plates. There is testimony from several independent interviewers, all nonmormon, that martin harris and david whitmer said they saw the plates with their spiritual eyes only. He never denied the truth of the book of mormon in his life, but he did part ways with the prophet. Did the eleven witnesses actually see the gold plates. He asked david to bring his team of horses and his wagon to harmony to help oliver, joseph, and emma move to a. David whitmer claimed to possess the original script which martin harris carried to professor charles anthon to. Why is david whitmers witness of the book of mormon so compelling. Whitmer ordered that his testimony to the book of mormon be placed on his tombstone. Later, after oliver had moved to harmony, pa to act as scribe for joseph, oliver sent letters to david testifying of the book of mormon and its translation.

Elizabeth, described his lasting testimony in a letter to her brother david whitmer. David whitmer witnesses of the golden plates and book of. Jan 27, 2017 the solemn testimony of the three witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon since 1830. Most latterday saints are aware of the testimonies of the three. Mar 02, 2018 for they not only have to dismiss the testimony of joseph smith but must also dismiss the testimony of his wife emma and the rest of the smith family, oliver cowdery, david whitmer and the rest of the whitmer family, martin harris, joseph knight, josiah stowell, and many others in order to maintain the hermeneutic.

David whitmer grave mormon historic sites foundation. Seventytwo different accounts, ranging over the halfcentury from 1838. In 1829, joseph baptized david whitmer as a member of the church, and just a short time later, david whitmer was a witness of the gold plates from which the book of mormon had been translated. Jun 24, 2019 david whitmer, another of the three witnesses, recalled cowderys parting words. Rfm post by lds critic on fairs defense of whitmer. This is a critics response to fairs defense of whitmers statement if you believe my testimony to the book of mormon. Once he left the church he continued to use his testimony of the bom as a means of gaining authority in subsequent mormonbased movements including his own. David whitmerinterview with john murphy in june 1880. During this difficult time, oliver cowdery wrote a letter to his friend david whitmer, asking for help. John whitmer was clerk of the church of christ, built upon the book of mormon and bible alone. It is from an interview between david whitmer and edward stevenson in december 1877. The testimonies of oliver cowdery, david whitmer, martin harris, and other witnesses were recorded by william e.

For one thing, he was the most interviewed of the three witnesses and often seemed to go out of his way to fulfill his duty to testify of the book of mormon. Evaluating the book of mormon witnesses religious studies. Book of mormon manuscript excerpt, circa june 1829 1. Cox has graciously provided me with a new account of moroni showing the book of mormon plates to mary whitmer 17781856, wife of peter whitmer senior. David whitmers final testimony of the book of mormon david whitmer was excommunicated from the church of jesus christ of latterday saints in 1838 for turning against church members and joining in persecuting them. David whitmer was one of the three witnesses of the book of mormon.

According to his brother david whitmer, christian assisted oliver cowdery in writing the book of mormon as js dictated the text. Dec 10, 2011 david whitmer took advantage of his high office in the church for his own personal gain. Since david whitmer was widely known as the lastsurviving witness prior to his death in 1888, he was interviewed far more extensively than the others. However, cowdery returned to the mormon church before his death, but note that david whitmer claimed that cowdery died believing that joseph smith was a fallen prophet and that his revelations in the.

Because most of the book was produced in davids own house, he was an eyewitness to the translation process itself, and to the early history the latter day saint movement. David whitmer david whitmer always maintained a strong testimony about the truthfulness of the book of mormon and the encounter he experienced with the angel who showed him the plates. After joseph smiths death he formed the church of christ. Is david whitmer held with any respect in the mormon. As a result of this communication, it was decided that joseph and oliver should come to the home of david s father, peter whitmer, sr. But david whitmer wasnt the only witness to the book of mormon translation by means of a seer stone. Chapters include sections on oliver cowdery, martin harris, david whitmer, samuel h. Personally, i think david whitmer is a complex man as complex as any. Gurley asked if whitmer knew that the plates were real. Three witnesses of the book of mormon department of. Smith, biography of david whitmer, journal of history 3 july 1910. The signature of david whitmer, one of the three witnesses, is displayed on a document he wrote about the book of mormon on friday, feb. David whitmer, a witness to the divine authenticity of the book of. David whitmers final testimony of the book of mormon.

David was ordained as an elder on april 6, 1830, and was one of the original six members of the church. The first source for the david whitmer learning about cumorah story came from matt ropers farms article, limited geography and the book of mormon. Martin harris may 18, 1783 july 10, 1875 was an early convert to the latter day saint movement who financially guaranteed the first printing of the book of mormon and also served as one of three witnesses who testified that they had seen the golden plates from which joseph smith said the book of mormon had been translated. There is no disagreement between my testimony and the testimony of these brethren. David whitmers name will forever be associated with the book of mormon as one of the three witnesses to the truthfulness of that volume. David whitmer s testimony varied as to the objective versus the subjective nature of the experience, but he also spoke of the angel and gold plates in visionary terms. We learn about his life and what he was willing to sacrifice for. Harmon and jesse townsend, gave testimonies to this effect. David whitmer had been out of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints for many decades when he died in richmond, missouri, on 25 january 1888. As surely as god sent the angel moroni to oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris, he will manifest to you the truth of their testimony and the truthfulness of the book of mormon through the power of the holy ghost see moroni 10. I was present at the deathbed of oliver cowdery, and his last words were, brother david, be true to your testimony to the book of mormon. He removed with his parents to new york state when a boy, and married elizabeth schott, september 29, 1825.

David whitmer witnesses of the golden plates and book of mormon. Smith, this report the whitmer interview would be much more conclusive had it not been recorded nearly fifty years later. Another episode illustrating david whitmers special status as a witness to important events of the early church, as well as his proclivity to provide fascinating testimony, is related to the provenance of the book of mormon. The mormon church accused cowdery of adultery and claimed he had joined a gang of counterfeiters, thieves, liars, and blacklegs. Gurley asked if whitmer knew that the plates were real metal. Murphy reported that whitmer claimed that the angel that showed him the plates had no appearance or shape and that whitmer saw nothing, in the way you understand it. Jan 02, 2018 for a number of reasons, david whitmers lifelong testimony is uniquely valuable. After traveling nearly 100 miles to reach harmony, pennsylvania, david whitmer met joseph smith for the first time at the end of may 1829. King james style despite the book of mormon being published in 1830, its narrative attempts to employ the antiquated english style of the early modern era, as though to make it read more like the king james version of the bible published in 1611. Sep 21, 2019 the earliest possible connection between the new york hill and the book of mormon cumorah comes from an 1878 interview with david whitmer by orson pratt and joseph f. David whitmer wrote an address to all believers in christ in 1881 in response to what he felt was a misrepresentation of his testimony by john murphy. David whitmer mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. All three men eventually broke with smith and the church he organized, although harris and cowdery.

The joint statement of the three witnessesoliver cowdery, martin harris, and david whitmerhas been printed with a separate statement by the eight witnesses in nearly every edition of the book of mormon since its first publication in 1830. By a witness to the divine authenticity of the book of mormon. What if you were one of the three witnesses to the book of mormon. To say that the book of mormon is a revelation from god, i have no hesitance. While david whitmer is remembered with great respect by the lds people because he was one of the three witnesses, he did fall away from the church later on. Book of mormon central why is david whitmers witness of. As a friend of oliver cowdery, david was an eyewitness to many of the earliest key events in the history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Mary was the mother of five sons who were witnesses to the golden plates. Anderson, investigating the book of mormon witnesses, 69. David whitmer, another of the three witnesses, recalled cowderys parting words. In this episode we discuss one of the book of mormon witnesses, david whitmer.

Mary whitmer, 12th witness to the book of mormon deseret news. Each of these specific menoliver cowdery, martin harris, and david whitmersacrificed much to help with the translation and publication of the book of mormon, and its likely this is a significant part of why they were chosen as witnesses. David whitmer was excommunicated from the church of jesus christ of latterday saints in 1838 for. There david whitmer and his family experienced extreme persecution because of their membership in the church. Despite his differences and eventual excommunication, he remained faithful to his testimony regarding the book of mormon throughout his. It is frequently remembered that david whitmer never denied his testimony as one of the three witnesses of the book of mormon, despite the fact that he withdrew from the fellowship with the main body of latter day saints in 1838. That evening a meeting was held in which the eight witnesses again bore testimony to all present of what they had seen. Echoing the statement of the three witnesses in the book of mormon, david wrote. Elizabeth ann whitmer cowdery, witness to the translation. On the evening of sunday, january 22, at half past five oclock, mr. David whitmer january 7, 1805 january 25, 1888 was an early adherent of the latter day saint movement who eventually became the most interviewed of the three witnesses to the book of mormons golden plates. Smith, lucy mack smith, the eight witnesses of the book of mormon.

A letter from david whitmer, one of the 3 witnesses who actually held the original plates of the book of mormon. David whitmers dying testimony lds scripture teachings. While whitmer believed the book of mormon to be true, he did not believe that the true church was to be led by one man. All continually testified that they believed the book of mormon to be the word of god.

David whitmer s rebuttal to john murphys june 1880 claims regarding his experience as a book of mormon witness summary. No testimony of direct revelation in the worlds history is better documented than the testimony of the book of mormon witnesses. Mclellin, a school teacher in paris, illinois, heard of the discovery and translation of the book of mormon from david whitmer. Even under duress whitmer refused to deny his testimony. Jan 02, 2018 they were perfectly honest and upright in all things. Whitmer called his family and a number of his friends to his bedside, and to them delivered his.

Two of these six eventually returned to the church. Despite his differences and eventual excommunication, he remained faithful to his testimony regarding the book of mormon throughout his life. Jacob whitmer witnesses of the golden plates and book of. His final testimony was given under the following circumstances. David whitmer was selected by joseph smith to be one of only three special witnesses to the book of mormon. The testimonies of those witnesses of the book of mormon in this book can burn in our hearts, strengthen our faith and fortify our mindsand we can know for ourselves that their words are true.