Abilene Christian University Digital Commons @ ACU Stone-Campbell Books Stone-Campbell Resources 1942 The Solution Of The Mormon Problem David Whitmer Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/crs_books Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Christianity Commons, Mormon Studies Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Whitmer, David, "The Solution Of The Mormon Problem" (1942). Stone-Campbell Books. 493. https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/crs_books/493 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Stone-Campbell Resources at Digital Commons @ ACU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Stone-Campbell Books by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ ACU. TheSolution Of · The Mormon Problem 1942 The Tract, "Reasons Why" ........................2 for 5c Change of Revelations ................................................ 5c Why a First Presidency. ............................................ 5c Danger ..............................................................................2 for 5c Light in Darkness ............................................................... 5c Full Set of Messages .........................................................20c The Voice of Warning Office, 822 W . Kansas St., Inde­ pendence, Mo. l·HJ :ST !s l l I.'- L . S . !\. THE SOLUTION OF THE MORMON PROBLEM 'Wkd jd, Jt? Read David Whitmer 's book, to which this tract ref ers. A CIRCULARLETTER By David Whitmer A Witness to the Divine Authenticit y of The Record of the Nephites APOSTLE W. A. DRAVES PREFACE By Viola Henning If you are a seeker of truth, who is also a believer in the Record of the Nephites {commonly known as the Book of Mormon) you will want to read of the interesting, and often quite startling facts revealed in a book written by one of the witnesses of beholding and hefting the plates of the Record of the Nephites. This witness, David Whitmer, was present during most of the actual translation of the plates by Joseph Smith, and was his close friend and companion during the early days of The Church of Christ. If you have at some time 'in the past read David Whitmer's "An Address to All Believers in Christ" you should reread it now in the light of present events . Here is the truth that explains many things, told so simply, with such honest conviction, with such sympathetic feeling toward all and hate toward none, that if you pray to know the truth, and open your mind to accept it, you cannot doubt the facts recorded therein. To you defenders of The Record of the Nephites, h ere is the solution to the Mormon problem - the answer to the logical question, "Why are there so many factions among believers of this latter day revelation?" David Whitmer was a man, who through all his days, merited and won the highest respect of all who knew him, including the most prominent members of his community I a man whose integ­ rity was never doubted; a man who bore his testimony to the truth of the miraculous experiences of his early days until his dying hour. His word concerning matters of vital importance to all who profess their belief in the Record of the Nephites cannot be denied . We call it the Record of the Nephites because it calls itself that in the body of the book. Others of you have perhaps not even read the Record of the Nephites. David Whitmer's book was written for you 6 THE SOLUTION OF THE MORMON PROBLEM too. You may be asking now, "Just what is this mysterious book?" As the Bible is the history of the Jews in the old country, so is the Record of the Nephites a history of the early dwellers in this hemisphere . It is the fascinating and colorful story of the migration of peoples to this land . It is the history of their rise to a very high form of civilization, as the findings of archaeological explorers confirm, of their sp iritual growth and their fina l degeneration . Many prophe­ cies recorded in this remarkable book have transpired since their translation by Joseph Smith , others, relating to the war­ torn times in which we are now living, and concerning the last remnant of the peoples of The Record of the Nephites, the American Ind ians, are now being fulfilled, who ere long will take part in , God's marvelous work and a wonder among mankind. Again, just as the Bible is composed of many books written through the ages by various men of God, so is the · Record of the Nephites many books in one, covering a long time period . It contains the beautiful history of the coming of Christ to this part of the wo rld, after His crucifixion , and establishing His Church here as He had in Palestine . The Nephites were among the "other sheep" (John 10:16, Matt. 15 :24) Christ said that He must visit. From beginning to end the Nephite Record, confirms and agrees with the teachings of the Bible. It is added tes ti mony to the Word of God found there in, and makes the teachings of Christ even more simple and clear I explains the covenants or promises of God to Israel. David Whitmer wrote his "Address" in two sections . The first is directed to those not acquainted with the Record of the Nephites, and to those who have not yet acceped it as Divine . He describes in detail the plates Joseph Smith was guided to, describes exact ly how they were translated, records the testimonies of other witnesses , and quotes the parts of the Bible that foretells the coming forth of just such a record upon this continent in the last days. If you are one to whom the first part of th is book was written, you owe it to yourself to read and study it thoroughly. THE SOLUTION OF THE MORMON PROBLEM 7 The second part of David Whitmer's "Address" is de­ voted to all those in any faction of Mormonism, who will open their minds to recognize the truth. Why are all be ­ lievers of the marvelous wonders contained in the Record of the Nephites not united because of this belief'? Why are they not working together in preparation for the coming of Christ to the Temple in which they all believe will be built in this generation (1932-1952)'? They are not divided because of any disagreement on the contents of the Record of the Nephites itself. It is over the revelations of Joseph Smith that division has come. David Whitmer tells the truth, as he himself witnessed it, concerning these revelations. He reveals the slow, dev ious way in which the Church drifted from the original simple organi zation, which followed the pattern set by Christ. Even the name of the Church was changed. He tells how the revelations as first given were so revised, lengthened or otherwise changed as to often com­ pletely reverse their meaning . All this David Whitmer protested, knowing it could not be approved by God . When the time came that he knew that these unpleasant truths should be put into print, he did it with love in his heart for those who had strayed. I ask you to study prayerfully the words of this humble man, chosen by God for the im ­ portant work of .witnessing the truth of the Nephite records . He was one of the three witnesses who beheld the Angel of the Lord, who came down from heaven and showed the golden plates to them, from wh ich the Record was trans ­ lated . One year before David Whitmer died he issued his book, entitled, "An Address to All Believers in Christ." We have reprinted his book 1 and without question it is the solution of the complex and ·intricate Mormon Problem. David Whitmer looked forward to the time when The Church of Christ would be set in order for the final time by the hand of God, never again to fall. In 1929, one hundred years after the angel appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and ordained them to the Holy Priesthood, the same angel appeared to the late Otto Fatting of The Church of Christ. He has since appeared to W. A . Draves. The 8 THE SOLUTION OF THE MORMON PROBLEM Messages brought to these men agree in spirit and meaning with the teachings of Christ. They are full of love, they carry words of warning of dangers ahead, instructions for carrying the gospel fo the world, explicit directions for the preparation of a people to meet Christ. W. A. Draves has written an article, "Just What We (The Church of Christ) Have to Offer," which is printed in the back of David Whitmer's book. It might be called a connecting link be­ tween that book and the present, bringing the history of The Church of Christ up to date . It is clearly and concisely written, and explains what The Church of Christ has to offer, that can be found in no other church . For The Church of Christ is unique in that it exactly follows in organization the church established by Christ of old 1 in that the teachings of Christ are all accepted as a basis for belief 1 in that the "fruits of the Spirit" promised by Christ are believed in and experienced, with the knowledge that as people prepare for it, these gifts will be received in more abundance. We are living in the disastrous days prophesied long ago. But we need have no fear through the dark days to come, if we will accept the Divine Direction that is offered to us, that will lead us safely and joyously into a glorious future. Single copies of the David Whitmer book, 35c.