Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources
0046
Bynum Black vs A. M. Baker
March, 1917
Bell, Arkansas
(By Charles J. Banks)
Interesting debate (8 nights) at Bell Arkansas. Elder A. M. Baker of Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Baker a prominent debater who met us sixteen times affirmed for four nights: "General Church Proposition". He said the church became obsolete during Dark Ages as it was founded through direct revelation in first century, it must be reorganized by direct revelation. Hence the angel story and Joseph Smith with his pretended revelations.
Bynum Black showed the church was to continue through all ages (Ephesians 3:21) and the Kingdom of Christ was to have no end (Luke 1:33) that his government was to have no end (Isaiah 9:7) but would stand forever. Bro. Black made Baker admit that the woman mentioned in Revelation 12:6 was the church and showed she was fed during Dark Ages. Jewish worship became corrupt; but found book and purified worship through study and obedience to word - - our fathers in restoration movement could make no mistake when we "speak where the Bible speaks". Josiah, Hilkiah and Shaphan in first and Campbell, Scott, and Stone did not need direct revelation. In both instances no revelation needed. This showed Joseph Smith and who fabric was built upon two false premises (1) that the church had been destroyed, (2) the parties who restored work were not divinely inspired. This crushed Baker.
Last four nights Black affirmed teachings of Church of Christ. Developed 34 characteristics of church. Baker could not refute. Bro. Black used recapitulation of grounds lost and gained in debate. Baker had boasted that the crowd could determine direction taken by voting. Black asked them to vote on his recapitulation. Baker objected. The crowd voted him down. They knew he went back on his word. The Mormons got so hot that they could hardly keep their seats. Black offered him 50 cents to name an argument he (Baker) made. The crowd said he made none. This voting was most unusual, but crushed the Mormons. They started it.
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