On April 4th, Bro. W. W. Blair, Phineas Caldwell, James H. Peters and the Editor, visited Richmond, Ray county, Missouri, for the purpose of paying our respects to David Whitmer, Senior, the surviving witness to the Book of Mormon. We found an aged man, born in the beginning of the year 1805, and now past seventy-seven years of age, still erect in frame though slightly bowed, with eyesight and hearing good, and a memory astonishingly preserved.
We were kindly received by Father Whitmer and his family, David, Jr., a nephew, Judge Jacob Whitmer, a daughter, Mrs. Schweisch, and a grandson and daughter. We were permitted to see the manuscript copy of the Book of Mormon; and the examination we gave to them satisfied us that there was never but the one copy made, and that one is the one kept by Father Whitmer. It bears unmistakeable proofs of having been in the printer's hands, and is well preserved. The aged and faithful custodian of these records deserves the deepest respect for the unyielding fidelity with which he has discharged the trust reposed in him to preserve and keep this manuscript record. He has been and is now poor, but money has not tempted him to part with a single page of that confided to his keeping so long ago. And we who were permitted to see them and talk with their keeper, could not fail to be impressed with the fitness of the charge. Latter day Israel should rest satisfied that the records fell into so good hands; and now when the opportune time came, to have so strong a witness left to tell the wondrous story of the revival of the Lord's work, in the discovery of the Book of Mormon. As for our part we could not help but think that the hand of God had been over those written records and the one to whose hands they were confided so long ago, and with whom we found them. Nor could we wish now that another had them. Let them remain with him who has so long held them in sacred keeping; and may his already long life be further prolonged for good to the truth which he loves.
In answer to questions by the brethren he recited with graphic distinctness the scene in which he received the testimony he bore many years past and still bears to the Book of Mormon; and averred anew that the statement made by him as published in the book is true. No one who listens to him can doubt the sincerity and truthfulness of the man. Bro. W. H. Kelley's letter but faintly describes the effect his words produce. Elder Sidney Rigdon was not known to the Elders of the Church until long after the Book of Mormon was issued; and that of his knowledge Elder Rigdon had nothing to do with the manuscript of the Book of Mormon; that he was familiar with Joseph Smith, the methods of translation, and the circumstances connected with it and the publishing of the book, and from this acquaintance knows that the Spaulding manuscript story is false and without a shadow of truth in it.
We went on our journey to Conference wonderfully refreshed and strengthened for further conflict for the spread of the truth, by this visit to David Whitmer, senior.