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Source: Church History Vol. 1 Chapter 4 Page: 50 (~1829)

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50 the Encyclopedia Britannica, that I, David Whitmer, have denied my testimony as one of the three witnesses to the divinity of the Book of Mormon; and that the other two witnesses, Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris, denied their testimony to that book. I will say once more to all mankind, that I have never at any time denied that testimony or any part thereof. I also testify to the world, that neither Oliver Cowdery or Martin Harris ever at any time denied their testimony. They both died reaffirming the truth of the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon. 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 died here in Richmond, Missouri, on March 3, 1850. Many witnesses yet live in Richmond, who will testify to the truth of these facts, as well as to the good character of Oliver Cowdery."-David Whitmer's "Address," p. 8.4

George Reynolds in his "Myth of the Manuscript Found," 4 pages 79 and 80, relates the testimony of Cowdery in 1848 in harmony with the foregoing. He quotes from the Deseret News.

Martin Harris, who died at Clarkston, Cache County, Utah, Saturday, July 10, 1875, wrote from Smithfield, Utah, to Mrs. H. B. Emerson, of New Richmond, Ohio, in November, 1870, and in January, 1871, and bears a renewed testimony. 5

4 At a special conference at Council Bluffs, Iowa, held on the 21st of October, in the year 1848, Bro. Oliver Cowdery, one of the three important witnesses to the truth of the Book of Mormon, and who had been absent from the church, through disaffection, for a number of years, and had been engaged in the practice of law, was present and made the remarks here annexed....

"Friends and brethren, my name is Cowdery-Oliver Cowdery. In the early history of this church I stood identified with her, and one in her councils. True it is that the gifts and callings of God are without repentance. Not because I was better than the rest of mankind was I called; but, to fulfill the purposes of God, he called me to a high and holy calling. I wrote, with my own pen, the entire Book of Mormon (save a few pages), as it fell from the lips of the Prophet Joseph Smith, as he translated it by the gift and power of God, by the means of the Urim and Thummin, or, as it is called by that book, 'holy interpreters.' I beheld with my eyes and handled with my hands the gold plates from which it was translated. I also saw with my eyes and handled with my hands the 'holy interpreters.' That book is true. Sidney Rigdon did not write it. Mr. Spalding did not write it. I wrote it myself as it fell from the lips of the Prophet."

5 Smithfield, Utah, Nov. 23, 1870.

Mr. Emerson; Sir:-I received your favor. In reply I will say concerning

(page 50)

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