David Whitmer’s Dying Testimony

David Whitmer died at his home in Richmond, on the 25th of January, 1888, in the eighty-fourth year of his life. His final testimony was given under the following circumstances:

On the evening of Sunday, January 22, at half past five o’clock, Mr. Whitmer called his family and a number of his friends to his bedside, and to them delivered his dying testimony. Addressing his attendant physician he said: “Dr. Buchanan, I want you to say whether or not I am in my right mind before I give my last testimony.” The doctor answered: “Yes, you are in your right mind, for I have just had a conversation with you.” He then directed his words to all who surrounded him, saying:

“Now, you must all be faithful in Christ. I want to say to you all that the Bible and the record of the Nephites (Book of Mormon), are true, so you can say that you have heard me bear my testimony on my death bed. All be faithful in Christ and your reward will be according to your works. God bless you all. My trust is in Christ for ever, worlds without end. Amen.”

Notes

Latter Day Saints Millennial Star, Volume 50, p. 412. See also: B.H. Roberts, A New Witnesses for God, 2:296.