Dan Vogel
Ex-Mormon and Atheist
Early Mormon Documents, Vol. V
“Has come under fire by Mormon apologists who allege he is biased and critical of Mormon faith claims.[5] He is sometimes also criticised by ex-Mormons and anti-Mormons for not being sufficiently critical of Joseph Smith” (Wikipedia, retrieved 12/21/11)
“When Whitmer explained that Joseph Smith had fallen and that his revelations were inspired by the wishes of his own heart (pp 30-38, 64-67), he perhaps unwittingly invited his readers to make the same conclusion about his own 1838 revelation.
For the most part, I have deleted Whitmer’s LONG THEOLOGICAL DIATRIBES. The reader should keep in mind that Whitmer is not simply relating early Mormon history but is marshaling historical evidence polemically in an effort to support his theological positions. (SLAM!!!! Stating facts contrary to known beliefs is not polemics.) Hence, his reminiscences are subject to some minor distortion and SHOULD BE READ WITH CAUTION” (SLAM AGAIN) (vol 5, p. 194).
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Skips from page 12 – 29 leaves out:
Argument for the eleven Book of Mormon witnesses using the seven New Testament witnesses “1800 years later.”
Challenges the readers who reject the truth in The Book of Mormon that “there heart is full of prejudice” and equates that with the spirit that “hastily condemned and stoned the prophets.”
“The book carries conviction with it.”
He points out the cause over which the “religious world is divided” mentioning “baptism” and “spiritual gifts” pointing how The Book of Mormon explains that.
Established that “coming into the fold of Christ” is not enough, we must “grow in charity, grace and knowledge” saying this topic is “nearest to my heart” and “I could write volumes on it.” (p. 14)
That “the Spirit of Christ must be in man or he is not of Christ” acknowledging that such Spirit is a “gift from God” and will led the “honest hearts into the true doctrine of Christ.” (p. 15)
Saying, the way to tell if someone has the true Spirit, “our hearts are filled with the love of God that reaches out and takes in all men, even our enemies” juxtaposed against Joseph’s churches claiming to be only right, each one and all.
“Charity is the great lack of religious professors.”
“The principal idea in religion is the Fatherhood of God, and the Brotherhood of man.” Such a statement, in practicality (where David was) passes over most men.
“Those who have never had the gift of the Holy Ghost cannot understand how a person could actually love and do good to an enemy.” Keep in mind, David was a life long member of his community, a businessman, who served as mayor twice.
Offering another test, “he who cannot forgive an enemy and actually love him…has not been born again.”
“God has placed man on the earth to be a free agent unto himself, and he receives good or evil, truth or error, just according to the way his heart is inclined.” That shows the power of David’s life.
Stating that he hoped his pamphlet might come into the hands “of some honest hearts…willing to take upon themselves reproach for the name of Christ.” (p. 16)
“If the truth as it is in Christ is hid away down in the depths of the so-called Mormon Problem (Mormon’s not following The Book of Mormon), it is truly the straight and difficult way to find.”
David cites 3 Nephi 18:34, 21:6; 2 Nephi 28:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:7; 2 Nephi 28:28; 2 Nephi 29:1-14; 2 Nephi 30:1-2; 2 Nephi 28:16-17; Ether 4:11; John 7:17; and Revelation 22:18 showing his knowledge of The Book of Mormon, that one of its purposes was to STOP DISPUTATIONS and establish what the TRUE POINTS of the DOCTRINE OF CHRIST are. (p 17-18)
He then cites Bible references for 19 missing books and epistles from the Bible: 2 Chronicles 9:29; 1Chronicles 29:29; Numbers 21:14; 1Kings 11:41; 2 Chronicles 13:22; 2 Chronicles 12:15; 2 Chronicles 20:34; 2 Chronicles 26:22; Genesis 5:1; Exodus 24:7; 1Samuel 10:25; 1 Kings 4:32; Joshua 10:13; 1 Corinthians 5:9; Colossians 4:16; Jude 1:3, and Book of Mormon references that answer well known problems in the body of Christ: Moroni 10:7-11,19-21; 3 Nephi 11:22-26; Moroni 3-6. (p 19-20)
Lastly, a section on the gathering of Israel: Jeremiah 31:8-14; Jeremiah 32:37-41; Isaiah 54:7; Isaiah 11:11-16; Ezekiel 37:15-28; Ezekiel 34:13-31; Ezekiel 11:17-21; Revelation 5:9-10; Revelation 20; Revelation 21:1-7; 3 Nephi 20:21-3 Nephi 21; Ether 5:4-6; 3 Nephi 30:1-2. (p 21-24)
“It is a serious thing for man to add doctrines to the doctrine which Christ has taught in his word.”
“Joseph, like many of those of old whom God had chosen, fell into error; and why should we want to follow any man into error?”
One of his best quotes: “God chooses the weak things of this world, SO THAT MAN SHOULD NOT PUT THEIR TRUST IN MAN and make flesh their arm, but put their trust in God only.”
And: “It is just, in GOD’S WISDOM, that every one who is not living SUFFICIENTLY SPIRITUAL TO DISCERN between truth and error, /SHOULD BE LED INTO ERROR.”/
“I am not persecuting Brother Joseph, and never did persecute him. Because he erred is no reason why I should not love him. God called him to translate his sacred word by the power and gift of God; BUT HE WAS NOT CALLED TO SET UP AND ESTABLISH THE CHURCH any more than any of us Elders were.” (p 25-26)
“God only knows how I have grieved and suffered and plead with him for you for the past *forty-eight years*“
“Mormon stood alone for many years, when the whole church of the Nephites and Lamanites had everyone gone into error and transgression.”
“IF YOU BELIEVE MY TESTIMONY TO THE BOOK OF MORMON; 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 SAIINTS,” (p 26-27)
“After I left them they say they gave me a trial and cut me off.”
“The church went deeper and deeper into wickedness. They were driven out of Missouri, and went to Nauvoo; and were driven out of Nauvoo, and went to Salt Lake, where they are to day, BELIEVING IN THE DOCTRINE OF POLYGAMY.”
“Many of you think that I have desire to lead—to lead a church that believe as I do. I HAVE NO SUCH DESIRE. A ONE MAN LEADER TO THE CHURCH IS NOT THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST.”
“I followed them into many errors in doctrine, which the Lord has since shown me, and WHICH ERRORS I HAVE CONFESSED AND REPENTED OF, and will speak of in this pamphlet.” (p 28)
“the Church of Christ must be established on the teachings of Christ, which teachings in their purity are in the new covenant of the Book of Mormon, and *come forth to us to settle all disputations about doctrine*“
“Christ commanded the Nephites to write his teachings, for they were to come down to us as the fullness of his gospel to us.”
“As you know, the teachings of Christ are the same in the New Testament and in the Book of Mormon.”
“The teachings of Christ in the Book of Mormon are PURE, PLAIN, SIMPLE and FULL.”
“Christ chose “twelve” and called them DISCIPLES or ELDERS, not APOSTLES, and the “twelve” ordained elders, priests and teachers. These are all the spiritual offices in the Church of Christ, and their duties are plainly given.”
*
“**I am also called to bear witness that the Bible is true.*” [Vogel begins] “…The angel who declared unto us that the Book of Mormon was true, also declared unto us that the Bible was true… [ends.] *”They are both the Word of God, and as it is prophesied, they both shall be one.** **”* (p 29) [Interesting edits.]
“Martin Harris raise the money…I will say here” Vogel left out: “Remember this matter brethren; it is very important. Farther on I will give you references of scripture on this point, showing that this is God’s way of dealing with His people. Now is it wisdom to put your trust in Joseph Smith, and believe all his revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants to be of God? Every one who does not desire to be of Paul, or of Apollos, or of Joseph, but desires to be /of Christ/ will say that it is /not/ wisdom to put our trust in him and believe his revelations as if from God’s own mouth!” (P 31) [VERY INTERESTING EDIT!]
“many others had the gift of prophesy…After the translation” Edited out: “Hiram Page prophesied a few days before the stars fell in November, 1833, that the stars would fall from heaven and frighten many people. This prophecy was given in my presence.
“I could give you many instances of true prophecies which came through the above named brethren, but I desire to be brief. *I could also tell you of some false prophecies which some of them gave, when they were not living humble” (p 32). [another interesting edit]