David Whitmer – An Address to All Believers in Christ

This is Whitmer’s most famous publication (other than his testimony in the Book of Mormon–although Joseph Smith actually wrote the testimony the witnesses signed) which most LDS would be shocked to read because they are largely unaware of the very good reasons Whitmer had for leaving the church and Joseph Smith. Although I personally don’t agree with Whitmer’s beliefs illustrated herein, his telling of what happened to lead to his apostasy is very interesting. He feels that Sidney Rigdon’s influence was the major factor that shaped many of the church’s doctrines (including the priesthood–which Rigdon was familiar with from his days as a mason). Whitmer’s biggest problems were with the changing of the revelations and (later) polygamy.

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Quotes from David Whitmer:

“Poor Joseph! He was blinded and became ensnared by proud, ambitious men“

“Pure friendship always becomes weakened the very moment you undertake to make it stronger by penal oaths and secrecy.”

“Is it possible that the minds of men can be so blinded as to believe that God would give these revelations…and then afterwards command them to change and add to them some words which change the meaning entirely?”

“Is it possible that a man who pretends to any spirituality would believe that God would work in any such manner?”

“Brethren–is it possible that you can believe that God would do this?”

“The majority of the members–poor weak souls–thought that any thing Bro. Joseph would do must be all right: And so in their blindness of heart, trusting in an arm of flesh, they looked over it and were led into error…”

“..be sure that you are not trusting in an arm of flesh.”