American Folk Figure. A member of the Whitmer family, he was one of eight witnesses to the "golden plates" and the first historian of the Mormon Church. In June 1829, he signed a statement testifying that he saw and handled the golden plates; the source from which Joseph Smith Jr. translated the Book of Mormon. He was a preacher of the gospel in New York and Ohio, was appointed a church historian on March 8, 1831, and appointed a High Priest on June 3, 1831. Sent to Missouri, he was instrumental in establishing the Mormon presence in Clay County and in the purchase of land in Far West. Excommunicated from the Church by the High Council at Far West on March 10, 1838, he became a farmer and stock-holder in Far West. He never returned to the church but continued to affirm the testimony of the golden plates until his death. Although he refused to release historical documents when he left the church, his descendants provided an exact copy of the early history to the Mormon Church in 1893.
American Folk Figure. A member of the Whitmer family, he was one of eight witnesses to the "golden plates" and the first historian of the Mormon Church. In June 1829, he signed a statement testifying that he saw and handled the golden plates; the source from which Joseph Smith Jr. translated the Book of Mormon. He was a preacher of the gospel in New York and Ohio, was appointed a church historian on March 8, 1831, and appointed a High Priest on June 3, 1831. Sent to Missouri, he was instrumental in establishing the Mormon presence in Clay County and in the purchase of land in Far West. Excommunicated from the Church by the High Council at Far West on March 10, 1838, he became a farmer and stock-holder in Far West. He never returned to the church but continued to affirm the testimony of the golden plates until his death. Although he refused to release historical documents when he left the church, his descendants provided an exact copy of the early history to the Mormon Church in 1893.
Bio by: Beth Painter
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