Martin Harris and the Book of Mormon

Martin Harris and the Book of Mormon [The following is a statement of William "Waddoups, second counselor to Alma Merrill, President of the Benson stake, made at the April confer- ence of the Benson stake at Lewiston, Utah, and also at the grave of Martin Harris, Clarkston, Utah, Saturday, April 20, 1918. Present as visitors at the conference who heard the statement were Elder Richard R. Lyman, of the Council of the Twelve, and President Joseph W. McMurrin, of the First Council of Seventy, the latter at the time making a stirring address on the labors performed by Martin Harris. — Editors.] Edward Stevenson was sent back East to get Martin Harris. One week after the arrival of Edward Stevenson with Martin Harris, in Salt Lake City, Elder Anson Call asked me if I de- sired to see and meet Martin Harris. I went to Salt Lake City where I found Brother Anson Call and he introduced me to Martin Harris. To me Martin Harris said: "Sit down on that couch." I sat on the couch as instructed, while Martin Harris stood on the opposite side of the room. Martin Harris then spoke to me as follows : "Young man, I had the privilege of being with the Prophet Joseph Smith, and with these eyes of mine," pointing to his eyes, "I saw the angel of the Lord, and I saw the plates and the Urim and Thummim and the sword of Laban, and with these ears," pointing to his ears, "I heard the voice of the angel, and with these hands," holding out his hands, "I handled the plates containing the record of the Book of Mormon, and I assisted the Prophet in the translation thereof. I bear witness that this testimony is true." Martin Harris was at that time but a combination of bones and skin. He was extremely thin. Holding out his hands he said: "When I was faithful in the Church I was a fleshy, healthy, robust man, and what you see left of me is the fruits of apostasy. Young man, always be faithful and obedient to the presiding priesthood, and you will always be safe." (Signed) William Waddoups. The following testimony of the Book of Mormon, heretofore printed, was given at Clarkston, Utah, by Martin Harris in July, 1875: "Brethren, I believe there is an angel here to hear what I tell you and you shall never forget what I say. The Prophet Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and myself

MARTIN HARRIS AND THE BOOK OF MORMON 981 went into a little grove to pray to obtain a promise that we should behold the plates with our natural eyes that we might testify of it to the world. We prayed a time or two and at length an angel stood before David and Oliver and showed them the plates, but behold, I had gone by myself to pray and in my deepest distress I asked the Prophet Joseph Smith to kneel down with me and pray for me that I may also see the plates. He did so and immediately the angel stood before me and said, 'Look.' When I gazed upon him I fell to the earth, but I stood on my feet again and saw the angel turn the golden leaves over, and I said, 'That is enough. My Lord, and my God.' Then I heard the voice of God say : 'The Book translated from those plates is true and translated correctly.' " The Book of Mormon an Evidence in Itself of its Divinity By Dr. Geo. H. Brimhall, President-Emeritus, Brigham Young University, and Member of the General Board Y. M. M. I. A. When the sage declared the endlessness of the writing of books, he had no cause for complaint. For books are soul fruit, some bitter and some sweet, some poisonous but many are whole- some. Books are subject to the great law "the fittest survive." And the fittest in a truth-seeking age is that which contains the most truth. The average volume is short lived. It is common knowledge that books become out of date almost as quickly as clothes go out of style. There are some books, however, that have endured for ages and interest in them has grown as time has passed. In this class we claim place for the Book of Mor- mon. Nearly a century has passed since the first edition was printed. And the sale of the last edition, but recently published, was beyond the expectations of the most hopeful. In fact, each edition of the Book of Mormon has received warmer welcome from the reading public than have the preceding ones. The history of the Book of Mormon has paralleled the his- tory of Christianity in a most striking way! The coming forth of each was accompanied by the \isitation of an angel. Each was compelled to meet attempts to destroy it in early life. The champions of each were put to death with the hope of terminating; the cause of the conflict each occasioned.

982 IMPROVEMENT ERA The early disciples of each sought refuge in the mountains. Each grew in influence, despite the almost super-human opposition of enemies. Each, at this day, stands in almost identical position in the minds of "honorable men of the earth," who frankly admit their belief in the thing itself, but candidly assert their disbelief in the miraculous origin of either Christianity or the Book of Mormon. One man of great wealth and business leadership, after reading the Book of Mormon at the request of a "Mormon" friend, declared his belief in the contents of the book, to the extent of expressing his conviction that the teachings thereof, would, if applied to life, bring about conditions for universal happiness; "But," said he, "I can not accept the angel Moroni story of its origin." And that same man, no doubt, would say, "I believe in the peace-producing power of Christianity, but, I can not accept the Divinity and Fatherhood of Christ." The history of the book acclaims its greatness, but the book itself is the thing that defies all attempts to explain it away. No one can deny that as a book, true or false, it is a stupendous reality with a marvelous origin, a gripping power for good, and a wonderful history. Volumes have been written and much spoken in denial of its divine authenticity, but as yet nothing has been proved against its contents or miraculous coming forth. As time has passed, scientific discovery, instead of destroying faith in the book, has wonderfully increased interest and con- fidence in it. And particularly important in this age of rapidly increasing skepticism, its harmony with the teachings of the Bible place it in the field of theology as veritably, "A new wit- ness for God." Wait Not Wait not till tomorrow, for time is not ours, Today is appointed to gather life's flowers, Wait not till tomorrow, its dawn may ne'er come, Today is the time to bring joy to the home. Wait not till tomorrow to comfort a friend, Today is the day your kindness to lend; Wait not till tomorrow your good words to say, Tomorrow may fail you, your chance is today. Wait not till tomorrow to offer your prayer. Heaven's not too encumbered to list to your prayer. Wait not till tomorrow all wrongs to amend. For death may o'ertake you, who knoweth the end? Logan, Utah. Sarah E. Mitton.