Interview of David Whitmer, 19 July 1883
Source: JH, 19 July 1883, p. 3.
[The following additional information on this interview is found in the Journal History, under date 19 July 1883. In a letter to the editor of the Deseret News, 21 July 1883, S. R. Marks makes reference to the same visit, stating that on June 27th they took a train at 8 P.M. for Richmond, [Missouri] “to visit David Whitmer, the last of the eleven witnesses of the Book of Mormon.” On arriving in Richmond, after some delay, June 29th, they learned from Mr. Whitmer’s son and grandson that he wasn’t very well so they stayed over to speak with him on the following day. They put up at the Wasson House.]
P3 In the morning, June 30th, Mr. [David] Whitmer visited us at the hotel. He is a fine-looking, intelligent man and seemed pleased to see us. We interrogated him in regard to his testimony given in the Book of Mormon, Elder W. M. Palmer being the chief speaker, although questions were asked by Mr. Shelby and the elders. He bore a powerful testimony to the divine authenticity of the book [of Mormon] and the restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith, [Jr.], stating his testimony as given in the Book of Mormon is absolutely true just as it is given there. He further stated that if that is not truth there is no truth; if there is no truth then there is no God and if there is no God there is nothing. He declared that the angel stood before him and he distinctly heard the voice of God declaring that the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God, and related many things that transpired in the early history of the Church, which was of great interest to us, and which adds another to the very numerous testimonies we have received of the divine mission of the great latter-day Prophet, Joseph Smith, [Jr.].