| David Whitmer's analysis
of the conference of June [4–5], 1831. The possession of Harvey
Whitlock was a manifestation of "God's sore displeasure" at
the ordination of men to the High Priesthood in this conference §.
The outpouring of the Spirit spoken of is an instance of the devil
appearing as an angel of light §. The future
will tell whether Lyman Wight's prophesy that some then present would
live to see the coming of Christ is true §. |
|
| Although
the Far West Record lists David as present, his Address to All
Believers in Christ (1887) explicitly states he was not present §.
He depends on his brother's history of the church and the testimonies
of John Whitmer, Harvey Whitlock, "and others who were present"
§. |
|
| Devil
catches Harvey Whitlock, John Murdock, others |
¶ |
In Kirtland, Ohio,
in June, 1831, at a conference of the church, the first High Priests were
ordained into the church. Brother Joseph ordained Lyman Wight, John
Murdock, Harvey Whitlock, Hyrum
Smith,
Reynolds Cahoon and others to the office
of a High Priest. When they were ordained, right there at the time, the
devil caught and bound Harvey Whitlock so he could not speak, his face
being twisted into demon-like shape. Also John Murdock and others were
caught by the [65] devil in a similar manner. |
|
Address to believers,
64–65. |
| David
not at conference (relies on John's history) |
|
Now
brethren, do you not see that the displeasure of the Lord was upon their
proceedings in ordaining High Priests? Of course it was. These facts are
recorded in the History of the Church—written by my brother, John
Whitmer, who was the regularly appointed church historian. I was not
at that conference, being then in Hiram, which is near Kirtland, Ohio. |
|
Conference
minutes list David as present. |
| (and
Harvey Whitlock) |
|
I also
have the testimony of Harvey Whitlock
whom the devil caught and bound: also John Whitmer, who was present, and
others who were present at the time, so I know it is true. John Whitmer
wrote this in the church history when he was in full fellowship with the
church. |
|
|
| John
tries to explain it away |
|
As a faithful historian
he speaks of this matter, and tries to explain it away by saying, "While
the Lord poured out his spirit, the devil took occasion to make his power
known; he bound Harvey Whitlock so that he could not speak, and others were
affected, but the Lord showed to Joseph the seer, the design of this thing:
He commanded the devil in the name of Christ and he departed to our joy
and comfort." |
|
|
| None
understood at the time |
|
It was not given to
Brother John nor any of them at that time to understand this matter of the
devil entering into the first High Priests that were ordained in the church.
They were all blind as to the design of that thing, and did not see what
it meant. |
|
|
| Sign
of God's displeasure |
|
Of
course it was given to Brother Joseph to cast the devil out, but what was
the design of the devil entering into these men just as soon as they were
ordained the first High Priests ever ordained in the church? Of course it
was to show that God's sore displeasure was upon their erring works of ordaining
High Priests into the Church of Christ. Any spiritual man can see this. |
|
|
| Lord
opened our eyes in 1848 |
|
Brother John was himself
ordained a High Priest at that time, so he was in error and could not see
it; but he saw it very clearly in 1848, when the Lord opened our eyes to
see and understand it. Prejudiced persons are blind and do not want to see
and understand except their own preconceived way. There is none so blind
as those who will not see. |
|
|
| Devil's
trickery |
|
In
Brother John's history he speaks of the Spirit of God being poured out in
abundance upon that occasion, some seeing visions, etc., but brethren, you
will learn in the next world, if you do not know it already, that the devil
can give visions, appearing as an Angel of Light. |
|
|
| Lyman
Wight's prophecy false |
|
Brother
John gives an account of a prophecy uttered by Lyman Wight just after Brother Joseph ordained
him a High Priest, which prophecy will prove to be a false prophecy. Brother
John's history of the church says as follows: |
|
|
| |
|
He (Joseph) laid his
hands upon Lyman Wight and ordained him to the high priesthood after the
holy order of God. And the spirit fell upon Lyman, and he prophesied concerning
the coming of Christ. He said that there were some in this congregation
that should live until the Savior should descend from Heaven with a shout,
with all the holy angels with him, etc." |
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|
| |
|
The early future will
determine as to whether this prophecy was true or false. |
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|
Minutes of June [4], 1831
First Conference in Kirtland
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