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Source: Church History Vol. 4 Chapter 25 Page: 448 (~1884)

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448 made my proclamation of March 19, 1881. In this way thousands read it, who would never have done so otherwise. I have the original manuscripts. They have the printer's marks. The printers here have examined them, and say they are genuine. When being printed, Oliver Cowdery would take about a dozen pages of them at a time, and remain and proof read and see that the work was done properly, and continued his vigil to the end."

Brother in Christ, after a visit with Bro. David Whitmer, one of the chosen witnesses of the Book of Mormon, I want to say that I felt to admire the man; his humble, meek manner is wonderful to behold, in comparison with the self-called ministry of the present age. He is a devout Christian, and speaks of Bro. Joseph, and the rise of the latter-day work with endearing words of love. As he said:

"The boys, Joseph and Oliver, worked hard, early and late, while translating the plates. It was slow work, and they could write only a few pages a day."

Of Joseph he continued:

"He could not do a thing except he was humble, and just right before the Lord."

I said, "Why not?"

He replied: "The Urim and Thummim would look dark; he could not see a thing in them."

"How did it appear in them?" we asked.

His answer was:

"The letters appeared on them in light, and would not go off until they were written correctly by Oliver. When Joseph could not pronounce the words he spelled them out letter by letter. Ah! Joseph was a good man, but he had a hard task to manage with the people in the early days of the church. They were sectarian (Brigham Young was only a sectarian) and came in with all of their own views, and were hard to manage. In fact, they sought office in the church, and when they were ordained it was only putting new wine into old bottles In many cases."

I asked him why he did not go with the church.

He replied:

"I had good reasons, but do not wish to speak of them now. I was directed to remain here in Richmond."-The Saints' Herald, vol. 31, pp. 396, 397.

June 19 he was visited by Elders William H. Kelley and Heman C. Smith. The following is from the pen of Elder Smith:

We were met by an old lady, whom we supposed to be Mrs. Whitmer, and shown into the sitting-room. Presently Father Whitmer entered the room, and I had a privilege I had long desired, of seeing and conversing with one who had seen the plates from which the Book of Mormon was

(page 448)

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