Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources
0514
J. F. Love vs T. C. Kelly (Mormon, Reorganized)
April 4, 1907
Santa Rosa County, Florida
(By S. I. S. Cawthon)
Debate closed on Sat. night, March 2 in meeting house of Reorganized Church of Latter-Day Saints in Rosa Co. Fla. Very pleasant debate
Mr. Kelly is a nice smooth opponent; he is best posted Mormon in this country. He is posted on wars, famines, pestilences and floods. He quotes prophecies fluently. He tried to apply Isa.29 to Book of Mormon, but this was taken from him. His strongest point was the return of the Jews to Jerusalem, but lost. He intimated that many prophecies apply to Joseph Smith. He failed in this signally. He was met with Smith's witnesses, three fallible men. This was compared with God's method of proving to the world a prophet. Elijah's case was introduced, with others and the apostles, and the evidence that was at all times with them. This had a telling effect. Smith's first revelation after translating the Book of Mormon" as claimed, was shown to be a lie, and Smith an imposter.
J. F. Love showed that the devil and men had just as good a chance at the stone as God, and Smith could not tell who was giving revelation, which shows him and Book of Mormon to be a fraud. His priests were taken from him.
Those who heard the debate said Mr. Kelly was defeated at every point. Love was clear and forceful on his proposition, showing clearly the origin, doctrine of induction, and the law governing the church. He showed clearly that the word of God was the seed of the kingdom of God; that it produced just what God wanted in the kingdom, that all other things were an after work of God, as shown in I Cor.12:28. Two Mormon ladies left the church and declared they were done with Smith and the Book of Mormon. The Mormons were challenged for a debate in Sept. at Ban Minette, 25 miles above Mobile. They have a large following there.
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