View source for Question: Did David Whitmer tell John Murphy that the angel Moroni "had no appearance or shape" and that he saw "nothing"?

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==Question: Did David Whitmer tell John Murphy that the angel Moroni "had no appearance or shape" and that he saw "nothing"?==
===John Murphy quoted David Whitmer as saying that his witness experience was just a "feeling" or an "impression"===
David Whitmer was interviewed by John Murphy in June 1880. Murphy reported that Whitmer claimed that the angel that showed him the plates "had no appearance or shape" and that Whitmer saw "nothing, in the way you understand it." Upon seeing the published interview, Whitmer strongly objected to the way Murphy had portrayed him, and published a proclamation refuting Murphy's characterization of his experience as a witness.

The following is a portion of Murphy's interview with David Whitmer, written from Murphy's perspective. (John Murphy to the Editor, undated, ''Hamiltonian, 21 January 1881, quoted in "David Whitmer Interview with John Murphy, June 1880," ''Early Mormon Documents'' 5:63):
<blockquote>
[Murphy]: "First of all, I heard you saw an angel. I never saw one. I want your description of [the] shape, voice, brogue and the construction of his language. I mean as to his style of speaking. You know that we can often determine the class a man belongs to by his language."

[Whitmer]: "It had no appearance or shape."

[Murphy]: "Then you saw nothing nor heard nothing?"

[Whitmer]: "Nothing, in the way you understand it."

[Murphy]: "How, then, could you have borne testimony that you saw and heard an angel?"

[Whitmer]: "Have you never had impressions?"

[Murphy]: "Then you had impressions as the quaker when the spirit moves, or as a good Methodist in giving a happy experience, a feeling?"

[Whitmer]: "Just so."
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===When David Whitmer read the Murphy interview, he published a rebuttal to John Murphy's portrayal of his witness experience===

Whitmer himself refuted Murphy's account:
<blockquote>
Unto all Nations, Kindreds, tongues and people unto whom this present Shall come.<br><br>
<span style="color:blue">It having been represented by one John Murphy of Polo Mo. that I in a conversation with him last Summer, denied my testimony as one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon.</span><br><br>
To the end therefore, that he may understand me now if he did not then, and that the world may know the truth, I wish now standing as it were, in the very sunset of life, and in the fear of God, once for all to make this public Statement;<br><br>
<span style="color:blue">That I have never at any time, denied that testimony or any part thereof, which has so long since been published with that book as one of the three witnesses.</span><br><br>
Those who know me best, well know that I have adhered to that testimony.&mdash;<br><br>
And that no man may be misled or doubt my present views in regard to the same, <span style="color:blue">I do now again affirm the truth of all my statement[s], as then made and published.</span><br><br>
He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear; <span style="color:blue">It was no Delusion.</span> What is written is written, and he that readeth let him understand.<ref>"David Whitmer Proclamation, 19 March 1881," quoted in ''Early Mormon Documents'' 5:69</ref>
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What was he reaffirming? Let's pull up the statement of the three witnesses:

THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES

Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, <b>have seen the plates which contain this record</b>, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken. And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for <b>his voice hath declared it unto us</b>; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that <b>an angel of God came down from heaven</b>, and he brought and laid before our eyes, <b>that we beheld and saw the plates</b>, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.

::::::::::Oliver Cowdery

::::::::::David Whitmer

::::::::::Martin Harris

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[[Category:Letter to a CES Director]]


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[[es:Pregunta: ¿Es cierto que David Whitmer dijo John Murphy que el ángel Moroni "no tenía apariencia o forma" y que vio "nada"?]]
[[pt:Pergunta: Será que David Whitmer diz John Murphy que o anjo Moroni "não tinha aparência ou forma" e que ele viu "nada"?]]
[[Category:Questions]]