TAFTSVILLE, Ray Co., Missouri, January 25th, 1880. Dear Brethren: -- I have been reading the news in the Herald for several years, and among the many testimonies that I have read is one from Mr. L. Traughber, of Carrol county, Missouri said to be from D. Whitmer. Mr. D. Whitmer told me in the year 1874, that Joseph Smith used the Urim and Thummim when he was translating. But now it is said that he lost it when he gave the first part of the book to Martin Harris; after that he used the Stone. Bro. T. W. Smith, I think was right. I for my part know he said that Joseph had the instrument Urim and Thummim. I asked him how they looked. He said they looked like spectacles, and he (Joseph) would put them on and look in a hat, or put his face in the hat and read. Says I, "Did he have the plates in there?" "No: the words would appear, and if he failed to spell the word right, it would stay till it was spelled right, then pass away: another come, and so on." Now this Mr. Traughber used to say that the Reorganized Church was right but now he fights against us; says we are not right, neither the Book of Covenants. I believe both to be right, but that Mr. Whitmer carried the idea that the translation was by both, or either Urim and Thummim and the stone. ERI B. MULLIN. (Bro. E. L. Kelley being present in the office when the proof of this letter was read, says that Mr. Whitmer stated precisely the same thing to him) -- ED.