‘For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.’ 2 Corinthians 11:13-14
An article in the Church’s Liahona Magazine (February 2021) highlighted the importance of David Whitmer who was one of the original three witnesses to the BoM. We’ve pulled a couple of things they said to compare it with what they’ve said in the past. To read their article in full see Liahona, ‘Who was David Whitmer?’ February 2021.
Here in part is what they said about Whitmer –
“Always a Witness …
Along with Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris, David was shown the plates by an angel and heard the voice of God command them to testify of what they had seen.
Unfortunately, David left the Church a few years later and never returned, but he never denied his testimony. Near the end of his life, David wrote: “I have never at any time denied that testimony or any part thereof, which has so long since been published with [the Book of Mormon], as one of the three witnesses… (An Address to All Believers in Christ [1887], 8–9).”
After giving a glowing report on how Whitmer was ‘always a witness’ to Smith’s work they somehow forgot to mention that none of the original three witnesses actually saw the plates. Their testimonies are based on a vision they claim they had while out in the woods with Joseph Smith. See Book of Mormon Witnesses. They also left out Whitmer’s important statement in the paper he wrote, An Address to All Believers in Christ.
Here’s what he had to say on p. 27 –
An Address to All Believers in Christ, p 27 “…if you believe that God spake to us three witnesses by his own voice, then I tell you that in June, 1838, God spake to me again by his own voice from the heavens, and told me to ‘separate myself from among the Latter Day Saints, for as they sought to do unto me, so should it be done unto them.’ in the spring of 1838, the heads of the church and many of the member had gone deep into error and blindness…” – David Whitmer, 1887
Today our questions about this incident are the same as they’ve always been…
Why would you trust David Whitmer’s testimony about the BoM when he denounced Joseph Smith?
Why would you trust Whitmer’s testimony about the BoM when the evidence shows he never physically saw the plates?
Moreover, why should anyone believe what the Church says today about this incident when they’ve denounced Whitmer? See Excommunicated BoM Witnesses.
Please, pray for those who will read their article, and those who already have done so! The evidence of the Church’s deceitful ways is right at the fingertips of every LDS member!
With Love in Christ –—
Michelle
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