| 369 September 15, 1881, Elders W. H. Kelley and G. A. Blakeslee visited David Whitmer at his home, Richmond, Ray County, Missouri. The following is Elder Kelley's description of the man and the interview, as it appeared in the Saints' Herald, volume 29, pages 68, 69.
After breakfast we called on David Whitmer, Sr., meeting him just outside of his residence, and introducing ourselves. He invited us into the house and directed us into a small room, presumably, his own resting and sleeping apartment. John Whitmer, son of John Whitmer, deceased, and two or three more gentlemen, whose names are not remembered, were present. . . . Elder Whitmer remarked that he did not feel much like talking, as he had not been feeling well for sometime. He appeared feeble. He is now upwards of seventy-six years of age, having been born January 7, 1805. He is of medium height, and rather of a slender build; but this appearance may be on account of age and recent illness. He has darkish brown eyes, and his hair is white and thin. Has a good head and honest face. He talks with ease and seemed at home with every subject suggested; and without an effort, seemingly, went on to amplify upon it, so that we had nothing to do but question, suggest, and listen. His intellect is far more vigorous and retentive than we expected to find. He is careful in his speech, for he studies to express himself in such a way as not to be misunderstood; and it hurts him to be misrepresented. A reporter called to see him some time ago, asked a few questions and went off and published that he had denied his testimony concerning the truth of the Book of Mormon. This hurt him so, that he is very careful now, to have some known friends present when strangers call to see him. This accounts for the presence of others when we were there. Speaking of Joseph Smith the Seer, he said, and this is very nearly his wording. "It makes no difference what others say, I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and he translated the Book of Mormon by the inspiration of God from the plates of the Nephites. Some people think if they can only make it appear that Joseph's life and character were not perfect, and that he had human weaknesses, that it would prove that he was not a prophet; yet the same persons will believe that Moses who killed the Egyptian, and David who had Uriah killed, and who took a multitude of wives,
is on the frontiersman's principle of a back-fire. opposed to these practices, while holding the general principles of the Mormon faith, is the "Reconstructed Church," with Elder Joseph Smith at its head; a body of earnest, able men, already making inroads on the Brighamites, and to aid them in promulgating the new faith in Utah, should be the aim of the general Government.
To this end it would be wise to appoint Elder Joseph Smith-who has character and ability for the position-as governor of that Territory: an appointment which would receive the approval of his own branch fully, and largely of the other, and would so divide the power of the Brighamites as to enable this branch successfully to combat the crime at its central point. Mr. Smith is a true, loyal citizen, a practical Christian, a strong temperance man, an able leader, and bitterly opposed to the "peculiar institution."
(page 369) |
