The following passages are transcribed from Edward Stevenson's holograph diary entry covering his 22-23 December 1877 visit with David Whitmer at Richmond, Missouri (Edward Stevenson Journal, MS 4806, ms. pp. 17-18, Church History Library). Published transcripts appear in Lyndon W. Cook, ed., David Whitmer Interviews (1991), p. 13, and Dan Vogel, ed., Early Mormon Documents (2003), 5:30-31.
I wish to mention an Item of conversation with David Whitmer in regard to Seeing one of the Nephites, Zina Young, Desired me to ask about it. David Said, Oliver, & The Prophet, & I were riding in a wagon, and an aged man about 5 feet 10 heavey Set & on his back an old fashioned Armey knapsack Straped over his Shoulders & Something Square in it, & he walked alongside of the Wagon & Wiped the Sweat off his face, Smileing very Pleasant David asked him to ride and he replied I am going across to the hill Cumorah Soon after they Passed they felt Strangeley and Stoped, but could see nothing of him all around was clean and they asked the Lord about it. He Said that the Prophet Looked as White as a Sheet & Said that it was one of the Nephites & that he had the plates. on arriving at home they were impressed that the same person was under the shed & again they were informed that it was so. They saw where he had been & the next morning David's mother saw the person at the shed and he took the plates from the box & showed them to her She said that they were fastened with rings thus D he turned the leaves over this was a satisfaction to her. She died in the room ware we visited sitting up in her chair without a struggle...