David Whitmer

(Biographical Information Coming Soon)
Even though David Whitmer never reconciled his feelings about Joseph Smith or regain his membership in The LDS Church, he wanted his testimony to be set straight. In March 19, 1881, seven years prior to his death, David Whitmer published the following affidavit in the local newspaper. He had some a few of the top residents of that State of Missouri vouch for his character and competency.

"Unto all nations, kindred, tongues and people unto whom these presents shall come: It having been represented by one John Murphy of Polo (Caldwell County), Missouri, that I had in a conversation with him last summer, denied my testimony as one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon….

"To the end, therefore, that he may understand me now if he did not then, and that the world may know the truth, I wish now, standing as it were, in the very sunset of life, and in the fear of God, once for all to make this public statement:

"That I have never at any time denied that testimony or any part thereof, which has so long since been published with that book, as one of the three witnesses.

"Those who know me best, will know that I have always adhered to that testimony. And that no man may be misled or doubt my present views in regard to the same, I do now again affirm the truth of all my statements as then made and published.

"He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear; it was no delusion. What is written is written and he that readeth let him understand. And if any man doubt, should he not carefully and honestly read and understand the same before presuming to sit in judgment, and condemning the light which shineth in darkness, and showeth the way of eternal life, as pointed out by the hand of God?

"In the Spirit of Christ who hath said follow thou me, for I am the life, the light and the way, I submit this statement to the world, God in whom I trust being my Judge, as to the sincerity of my motives and the faith and hope that is in me of eternal life.

"My sincere desire is that the world may be benefited by the plain and simple statement of the truth.

"And all the honor be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen."

We, the undersigned, citizens of Richmond, Ray County, Missouri, where David Whitmer, Sr., has resided since the year, A.D. 1838, certify that we have been long and intimately acquainted with him, and know him to be a man of the highest integrity, and of undoubted truth and veracity--Given at Richmond, Missouri, this March 19, A.D. 1881.

A. W. Doniphan
George W. Dunn, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit
T. D. Woodson, President, Ray County Savings
Bank Jacob O. Child, Editor of "Conservator"
H. C. Garner, Cashier Ray County Savings Bank
W. A. Holman, County Treasurer
J. S. Hughes, Banker, Richmond, Missouri
James Hughes, Banker, Richmond, Missouri
D. P. Whitmer, Attorney at Law
James W. Black, Attorney at Law
L. C. Cantwell, Postmaster, Richmond, Missouri
George I. Wassen, Mayor
James A. Davis, Probate Judge and Presiding Judge, Ray County Court
George E. Trigg, County Clerk
W. W. Mosby, M.D.
Thomas McGinnis, Late Sheriff, Ray County
W. R. Holman, Furniture Merchant
J. P. Queensbury, Merchant
Lewis Slaughter, Recorder of Deeds
George W. Buchannan, M.D.
A. K. Reyburn

References:
David Whitmer, March 19, 1881 Richmond Conservator Newspaper