Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources

0742

F. B. Srygley vs Mr. Nephi Jensen (Mormon)
November 5, 1908
Atlanta, Georgia
(By S. H. Hall)

Held at Atlanta, Ga., Oct.13 for 3 nights and sessions of 3 hours each. The debate was well attended and little room for criticism of debaters or audience for behavior.

Mr. Jensen affirmed: "The book of Mormon is a divine revelation." He sought to destroy confidence in the all-sufficiency of the Bible, that he might have an excuse for his new revelations. Here he was met at every turn and driven from the field in as disorganized and bewildered condition. Bro. Srygley's efforts here were masterly, and he won for himself the esteem of every Bible loving hearer. His efforts here and his strictures on Mormonism so completely captivated his hearers that it was difficult to control the audience. There would come an outburst of applause in spite of repeated protests of the moderators.

Mr. Jensen, I presume, did the best that could be done in behalf of Mormonism; but that it suffered in his hands was evident to every unprejudiced hearer, and I believe, to his supporters. In his opening address he did reasonably well; but after bro. Srygley's first round, Mr. Jensen, from that time on, seemed to be disorganized and confused. So much so was this the case that, after he had contended that the two sticks in Ezek. 37:16,17 represented our Bible and the Book of Mormon and that it took the two together to make one sufficient guide. But on the last night Mr. Jensen was contending that our Bible endorses polygamy and the Book of Mormon condemns it; thus severing his two sticks and, instead of letting them be one, turning them into warring factions. He scattered and crossed himself up and had such difficulty in using the time allotted him that it grew painful to his people and laughable to the rest. In the last 15 minutes of his last speech, ten times he asked: "How much time have I?"

Bro. Srygley did honor to his name in noble defense of the Bible. He will be remembered and loved by hundreds for standing fearlessly.

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