| 56 To say that the Book of Mormon is a revelation from God, I have no hesitancy; but with all confidence have signed my name to it as such; and I hope that my patrons will indulge me in speaking freely on this subject, as I am about
"As to the high priesthood, Jesus Christ himself is the last Great High Priest, this too after the order of Melchisedec, as I understand the Holy Scriptures.
"Finally, I do not indorse any of the teachings of the so-called Mormons, of 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 of 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 condemning 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. 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. "W. A. Holman, County Treasurer.
"Hon. George W. Dunn, Judge of "J. S. Hughes, Banker, Richmond.
the Fifth Judicial Circuit. "James Hughes, Banker, Rich-
"Thos. D. Woodson, President of mond
Ray County Savings Bank. "D. P. Whitmer, Attorney at Law.
"J. T. Child, Editor of Conservator. "Hon. James W. Black, Attorney
"H. C. Garner, Cashier of Ray at Law.
County Savings Bank. "Thomas McGinnis, Ex-Sheriff
"L. C. Cantwell, Postmaster, Richmond Ray County.
"George I. Wasson, Mayor. "J. P. Quesenberry, Merchant.
"James A. Davis, County Collector. "W. R. Holman, Furniture Mer-
"C. J. Hughes, Probate Judge and chant.
Presiding Justice of Ray County Court "Lewis Slaughter, Recorder of Deeds
"George W. Trigg, County Clerk "George W. Buchanan, M. D.
"W. W. Mosby, M. D. "A. K. Reyburn.
"From the Richmond (Missouri), Conservator, March 24, 1881:-
"AN EXPLANATION.
"Elsewhere we publish a letter from David Whitmer, an old and well-known citizen of Ray, as well as an indorsement [endorsement] of his standing as a man, signed by a number of the leading citizens of this community, in reply to some aspersions made upon him.
(page 56) |
