Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources

0754

F. B. Srygley vs Mr. White & Mr. Campbell (Mormons)
November 6, 1930
Somewhere in Alabama
(By F. B. Srygley)

Called from Athens, Ala. to meet L. D. S. They refused to meet bro. John Hayes. He was a thorn in the flesh to Mormons. I had only one day to prepare. They agreed to debate only two propositions: That Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon was inspired by God as the other sacred writings.
In his first speech all Mr. White did was to try and prove the need of prophets. But I told him if I were to admit argument it would not prove his proposition, and, of course, I showed that we have all the prophets we need in the N.T .

To my surprise the second speech was made by Mr. Campbell. He complained because I called Joseph Smith a false prophet. He felt I should not be allowed to call Smith a falsifier till I proved he was a false prophet. I told him my denial of his proposition was equal to charging falsehood against Joseph Smith. I then read a statement from David Whitmer, the first man baptized into the Mornon faith. (Joseph Smith baptized David Whitmer, and then David baptized Joseph.)

David Whitmer said that he and Hiram Smith were very anxious to raise the money with which to publish the Book of Mormon, and that while Martin Harris had agreed to sell his farm to raise the money, he seemed slow about doing so. Hiram proposed that they go to Joseph and have him consult the Lord and get from the Lord a revelation as to where they should go to raise the money. Joseph looked at the divine stones in his hat and said Toronto, Canada. They went, tried and failed. On returning they asked Joe why. He looked at the stones again and said, "Some revelations come form God, some from man, some from the devil. After reading all this I asked the Mormons if they thought I was justified in calling Joseph Smith an imposter. They made no complaint. I continued the debate for a few days and also preached at other times. The Mormon doctrine thrives among the ignorant. I enjoyed every night of the debate.

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