The following is a transcription of:
George
A. Smith, Letter to John Whitmer (April 12, 1875) (CHL call no.: CR 100 38)
Salt Lake City,
April 12, 1875.
John Whitmer, Esq.
I received a call from Elder
Joshua Davis, from
Provo, who gave me some account of an interesting visit he
had with you. It reminded me forcibly of the day when
the High Council of Zion was organized, on the 8th July, 1834,
and which, if I remember aright, took place in your
room, in Col. Arthur's house, Clay Co., Mo.
Having always been a firm
believer in the Book of
Mormon as a divine record, I was more than gratified to
hear Elder Davis assert that your testimony to the truth
of that work was clear as at the moment you placed your
name with the eight witnesses to the certificate, published in the
first edition of that Book.
If you remember me at all, it
will be as a great green
boy, who used to be about Joseph Smith, when you were Editor
of the Messenger and Advocate, in Kirtland.
I mailed you this morning a copy
of a pamphlet
entitled "Answers to Questions," as Elder Davis informed me
you wanted to see a copy of the translation, July 1843, on
celestial Marriage. I also forwarded a pamphlet containing the
discussion between Dr. Newman, then Chaplain of the Senate,
and Orson Pratt on plural marriage. The Weekly
Deseret News will come to you, for six months, free of charge.
Martin Harris resides in
Smithfield, Cache Co., with
his son Martin. He is about ninety years old. I received a
letter from him a few days ago, which indicated a clear under-
standing of business matters. He was then in excellent health.
If it would not be asking too
much of you, we would
like to obtain from you the date and place of the deaths of those of the
eight witnesses who are dead. Your brothers Christian, Jacob,
and Peter and your brother-in-law John C. Page; or if any
of them are still living, please let me know their Post Office
address.
Would it not be time and means
well spent for you
to visit Utah and see what the Book of Mormon has
brought to pass? I assure you that many friends would be
glad to see you.
When Martin Harris came to Utah,
eight years ago,
I took him on top of the Tabernacle, where he could have a
view of the city and the improvements around about.
After viewing in silence for some time the beautiful scene
around him, he said, with tears of joy in his eyes, "The
Book of Mormon has done all this!"
Present my regards to your family
and friends.
Very Respectfully Yours,
Geo. A. Smith
To John Whitmer Esq.
Farwest, Kingston P.O.
Caldwell Co. Mo.
