| 371 "How did you know it was the voice of God?"
"We knew it was the voice of God. I knew it was the voice of God just as well as I knew anything."
This narrative was delivered in a mild, but fervent voice; and as he spoke and bore witness, and we listened, the Spirit of God rested in great power upon us like a flame of glory, or burning coal from the altar of God. It enveloped our beings and glowed in our hearts while tears of gratitude and joy flowed down our cheeks. Bro. Blakeslee, who sat opposite, but near by and facing me, was so moved by this divine touch-silent and heavenly power-that he could not refrain from weeping. Despite our power of resistance, for a moment we sat speechless, uttered not a word, but with a look exchanged thoughts and read the moving of each other's heart. We were satisfied, established, confirmed. The Spirit of God that had been with me and inspired my soul while defending that record, and the divinely appointed mission of the Seer, for lo! these many years, while standing and testifying before multitudes, large and small, now appeared and lit up my being as with a flame, as I listened to the voice of a chief witness testify of what he had seen and heard, and felt, in relation to the coming forth of this latter-day work. The worthy sage testified truthfully, for God bore witness.
Whatever other men may think of David Whitmer, it is our belief that he is a man of God; and that he is performing his part in this great latter-day work, faithfully and acceptably to his heavenly Father. He is respected and honored of his neighbors, and loved and admired by his relatives, of which there is a large circle there, and all in the faith. Who shall say that this man of candor, now standing upon the verge of the grave, has borne a false witness?
Soon after this a discussion was held near Stewartsville, Missouri, between a Disciple preacher and Elder W. T. Bozarth.
September 19, Elder W. W. Blair wrote the following regarding the Utah chapel:
I am pleased to say to the Saints that we have put the mission chapel, in this city, under contract, and that its walls are being rapidly builded. We hope to have it inclosed [enclosed] by October 15, and to have it finished by November 25. We build of brick with fire-proof roof, and intend to finish in a plain, but neat and substantial style. It will be near sixty feet in length, including the vestibule, and storage and coal room in the rear, and nearly thirty feet wide. The walls will be sixteen feet from floor to ceiling. It has a first-class red sandstone foundation, and when finished it will be a very durable, convenient, and neat looking church for its size.
On December 4 the chapel was opened for use, and the first service was held therein, at which time the Salt Lake Daily Tribune
(page 371) |
