Is David Whitmer held with any respect in the Mormon Church.?

Question

Here is how He said the BofM was translated:
I will now give you a description of the manner in which the Book of Mormon was translated. Joseph Smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light; and in the darkness the spiritual light would shine. A piece of something resembling parchment would appear, and on that appeared the writing. One character at a time would appear, and under it was the interpretation in English. Brother Joseph would read off the English to Oliver Cowdery, who was his principal scribe, and when it was written down and repeated to Brother Joseph to see if it was correct, then it would disappear, and another character with the interpretation would appear. Thus the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God, and not by any power of man.
Is this so? If so why did Smith need the Golden Plates?

Jessica. It was later in his life. He didn't become a liar did he? From what I have read about him he sounds like an honest man..

daisykri…Does that mean this testimony is also true, because he was a good man that always told the truth even in the face of death?

Just so I stay honest, didn't David Whitmer act as a scribe for Joseph Smith in some of his translation work of the B of M?

I am not trying to hide from you guys. Most of you know that we will never agree on the doctrine of Jesus Christ. But I am asking these questions not out of spite but as a way to understand your thought processes as a member of the church better. Seems just about everyone of you has a differnt view. I find that very interesting.... Jim

jamie p So how does the church today feel about David Whitmer. Is he an honest man or a liar?

I would like to thank all those who added their opinion on this subject. I see you problem giving an answer yes, or no. If you say he is then you are saying the Golden plates were not even needed to make the translation that it all came through the seer stone. If your say no you negate his witness on the Book of Mormon. It was a hard question.. Thanks again... Jim

Answer 1

How could they. He was an enemy of what the Utah split of stood for Plural marriage and Spiritual Wifery. I guess now that they have succumb to the will of the United States Government and given up those immoral beliefs the would turn to Him see a good man again.

Answer 2

When was this description given by Bro. Whitmer?

While David Whitmer is remembered with great respect by the LDS people because he was one of the Three Witnesses, he did fall away from the church later on.

We view him as a man that was misled by Satan into attacking the position of Joseph Smith. He never denied the truth of the Book of Mormon in his life, but he did part ways with the Prophet. So depending on when this description was given in Bro. Whitmer's life makes a huge difference in it's authenticity.

As for Joseph's translation of the Book of Mormon. In whatever way the Lord revealed to him what the individual symbols on the plates meant, as time went on, Joseph became more familiar with the symbols and was able to read them himself, without the use of the seerstones. It would be just like a person today, learning spanish by reading spanish books with a spanish/english dictionary. As time goes on, you don't need the dictionary as much and can translate what you are reading faster.

EDIT:
I don't believe he was a dishonest or bad man, but I do think he was being led astray. I believe he believed this description of how the book of mormon was translated was true, but may have been incorrect because he was not guided by the Spirit.

Answer 3

no when David Whitmer says the Joseph Smith had fallen due to the practice of polygamy Joseph Smith turn on him. Same with Oliver Cowdery. If the church was so true why did the three witness of the book of Mormon leave the church . Two came back but David Whitmer didn't.

Answer 4

Why didn't the bible appear out of thin air? Who knows?

Your question is puzzling...why did Joseph need the plates? Um, to translate them. Plain and simple. That is obviously the way the Lord wanted the gospel restored, that's how it happened. Would you believe the Book of Mormon was true if Joseph had just "written" it instead of translated it from actualy records??? That wouldn't make much sense...

Answer 5

We do know that the seer stone was used, but it wasn't the primary source of inspiration and translation as was accorded by the Urim and Thummin used on the plates.

As you know, the Urim and the Thummin are two pieces of translators that was used by the prophets of old in biblical times.

David Whitmer was among the three witnesses who had seen and handled the plates delivered by the angel Moroni. That testimony remains strong for the Church.

Answer 6

Even tho David Whitmer turned against Joseph Smith, he never recanted his testimony of the Book of Mormon. He was human, with human frailties, and everything he says should be taken in that spirit.

Answer 7

Yes, he is respected for standing by his testimony of the veracity of the Book of Mormon and the plates which he saw and handled. He did this despite having some intense disagreements with the church and it's leaders, which I believe takes a lot of courage, especially considering at the time people who believed in the Book of Mormon were being hunted, tarred and feathered, their homes burned, and even murdered.

To answer your question back to me: I believe it is, and I want to thank you for giving the full quote that includes "Thus the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God, and not by any power of man." (it's amazing how many people like to leave that part out).

If you'll let me wax philosophical for a minute, I'll add that truth is of course not determined by the actions of one human being. Truth is truth simply because it IS. To find truth, you have to go to the source of all truth - God Himself who answers by the power of the Holy Ghost...and to quote the very book in discussion here "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10:5)

Best wishes