| One of the Eight Witnesses to the
Book of Mormon, Book of Mormon scribe, first Church Historian, member of
the presidency of the Stake of Zion, brother-in-law of Oliver Cowdery. With
W. W. Phelps (the other counselor in the presidency), chooses Far West for
gathering, lays out the city, selects a temple site and appoints building
committee, etc. without consulting the high council. Objects to the Prophet's
dictating the temporal affairs of church members. Rejected as a president
of the church in Missouri with his brother, David, and W. W. Phelps; excommunicated,
flees to Richmond, Missouri in June after receiving threatening document
signed by Hyrum Smith and others. |
| Testimony §, Far West Land §, Secret Combinations §, Family § |
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| Born |
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August 27, 1802 in York, Pennsylvania |
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| Died |
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July 11, 1878 in Ray County, Missouri |
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Biographical Encyclopedia
1:251 and Papers 1:521 have Far West. Ancestral File has Richmond. |
| Father |
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Peter Whitmer (1773–1854) |
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| Mother |
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Mary Musselman (1778–1856) |
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| Baptized |
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[June] 1829 by Oliver
Cowdery in Seneca Lake. |
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Inventing, 145n50. |
| Eight Witnesses |
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June 1829 one of the Eight Witnesses
of the Book of Mormon. |
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| Elder |
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June 9, 1830 attends conference as an elder. |
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Minutes
of June 9, 1830 |
| Scribe |
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July [4–31], 1830 assists
Joseph in copying and arranging revelations. |
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JS history, TS 4, no. 7 (Feb. 15, 1843):108. |
| Harmony, Pennsylvania |
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August [1–7],1830 Newel and
Sally Knight visit Joseph and Emma in Harmony,
Pennsylvania. John Whitmer is also present: |
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Newel Knight diary
in Revelations, 38. |
| Sacrament meeting |
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We prepared some wine of our own
make, and held our meeting … We partook of the sacrament, after which
we confirmed the two sisters into the Church, and spent the evening in a
glorious manner. The Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon us. We praised
the God of Israel and rejoiced exceedingly." |
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| Mission to Seneca county |
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September [26–30], 1830 called on a mission
to the region where Philip Burroughs lived (Seneca county, New York). |
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¶ D&C 30:9–10 |
| Genesis scribe |
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October 21, 1830 Oliver having left on his mission to the Lamanites, John takes over as Joseph's scribe for his "translation" of Genesis. He writes until December 1, when Emma begins, but John returns to the work for a few more days until Sidney Rigdon begins sometime after reaching Fayette on or about December 7. |
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JSNT, 95, 98, 101, 103.
John writes Moses 5:41–6:18; Emma writes 6:19–52; John, 6:52–7:1. |
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| To Ohio |
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In late December, when Joseph and Sidney return from Colesville, "The Lord manifested himself to Joseph the Revelator and gave him commandment for me to go to the Ohio, and carry the commandments and revelations, with me, to comfort and strengthen my brethren in that land." |
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J. Whitmer, 13. |
| Revelations |
¶ |
[January [12–17], 1831 arrives in Kirtland:] A young gentleman by the name of Whitmer arrived here last week from Manchester, N. Y., the seat of wonders, with a new batch of revelations … As far as we have been able to learn their contents, they are a more particular description of the creation of the world, and a history of Adam and his family, and othe[r] sketches of the anti-deluvian world, which Moses neglected to record. |
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PT, Jan. 18, 1831. Source |
| Promised land: Kirtland to Pacific Ocean |
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But the more important part of the mission was to inform the brethren that the boundaries of the promised land, or the New Jerusalem, had just been made known to Smith from God—the township of Kirtland, a few miles west of this, is the eastern line and the Pacific Ocean the western line; if the north and south lines have been described, we have not learned them. Orders were also brought to the brethren to sell no more land, but rather buy more. Joseph Smith and all his forces are to be on here soon to take possession of the promised land. |
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| Kirtland excesses |
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[In Kirtland he finds] the enemy of all righteous had got hold of Some of those
who profesed to <be> his followers, because they had not sufficient
knowledge to detect him in all his devices. He took anotion to blind the
minds of some of the weaker ones, and made them think that an angel of God
appeard to them, and showed them [14] writings ond the outside cover of
the Bible, and on parchment, which flew through the air, and on the back
of their hands, and many such foolish and vain things. Others lost their
strength and some scooted <slid> ond the floor, and such like
maneuver, which proved greatly to the injury of the cause. |
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J. Whitmer, 13–14 |
| Establish Nelson church |
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[February–March] 1831 organizes church
in Nelson, Ohio with Lyman Wight, returning for
April 9 conference. |
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J. Whitmer, 55. |
| Historian and scribe |
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March 8, 1831 called to "keep a regular history"
and assist Joseph in "translating all things." |
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D&C 47 |
| Church Historian |
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April 9, 1831 appointed Church Historian
by a conference of ten elders in Kirtland. |
| Minutes of April 9,
1831 |
| High Priesthood |
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June 3, 1831 ordained by Lyman Wight. |
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¶
Minutes of June 3, 1831 |
| Begins history |
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June 12, 1831 begins "The Book
of John Whitmer," taking over the history of the church from Oliver
Cowdery. |
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J. Whitmer, 56. |
| Go to Independence, travel and
record |
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November [12], 1831 revelation: John to accompany
Oliver Cowdery taking the Book of Commandment texts to Zion, travel from
place to observe all things and record them, take counsel from Oliver. |
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D&C 69 |
| Travel to Independence |
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November 20, 1831 to January 5,
1832 travels to Independence. |
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| Editing committee
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April 30, 1832 named to select and
"make all necessary verbal corrections" to Book of Commandments
revelations. |
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Minutes
of April 30, 1832 |
| To Zion |
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July 1832 sent to Zion to get a
count of the number of the members of the church there. |
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Joseph
to W. W. Phelps, July 31, 1832 |
| Agrees to leave Jackson County |
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July 23, 1833 with the rest of Church leadership in Jackson County, John agrees to move out of the county by January 1, 1834 and use his influence to persuade all Saints to leave by April 1. |
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¶ Missouri
Persecutions (1833–1834) (2) |
| Endowment |
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June 23, 1834 selected to receive
Kirtland endowment. |
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¶
Minutes of June 23, 1834 |
| Assistant president |
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July 3, 1834 at the organization of "a general Council of High Priests" in Clay
County, W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer are named assistant presidents to "first president" David Whitmer. |
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Minutes
of July 3, 1834
D&C
102
Wilford Woodruff, a teacher, attended the meeting, indicating not all
present were high priests. "On
the 3d day of July I attended the Meeting at Lyman Wight's at which time
Joseph Smith the Prophet Organized the High council. Joseph was Clothed
with the power of God. He Chastised David Whitmer & others for unfaithfulnes.
Said their hearts were not set upon the building up the Kingdom of God
as they should be. After He was chastised He was set apart under the hand
of Joseph to Preside over the Land of Zion And Wm W. Phelps & John
Whitmer assistant Pres[ident?] or Councillor." WWJ 1:14.
Wilford's journal entry was probably written in January
1835, which may account for his conflating the July 3 and 7 meeetings.
Presidents of the Church |
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July 7, 1834 Joseph
ordains "the three Presidents, David Whitmer as President and William W. Phelps & John
Whitmer assistants and their twelve Counsillors." |
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| Editor |
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1835–1836 editor of the Latter Day Saints'
Messenger and Advocate. |
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| Temple worker |
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January 21, 1836 assists in administering
the first ordinances in Kirtland's house of the Lord. |
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Oliver's 1836 diary, 418. |
| Temple dedication
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March 27, 1836 sits in the third
pulpit in the west end with David Whitmer
and Oliver Cowdery for the dedication of the House of the Lord. |
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American prophet, 143. |
| Feet washing |
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March 29, 1836 Hyrum washes John's
feet during the all-night temple session. David washes W. W. Phelps' feet.
Phelps washes John's feet. |
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American prophet, 153. |
| Buys land for Far
West |
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August 8, 1836 purchases south half
of site for Far West, Missouri (W. W. Phelps
purchases the north half). |
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CHC,
1:423. |
| Temple committee |
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November 15, 1836 with W.
W. Phelps selects Jacob Whitmer, Elisha H. Groves, and George M. Hinkle as building
committed to assist them build a temple. |
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Minutes
of November 15, 1836 |
| High council charges |
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April 5–6,
1837 with W. W. Phelps responds to charges from the high council of high-handed,
unauthorized, and fraudulent exercise of power in purchasing and selling
Far West land, etc. |
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Minutes
of April 5–6, 1837 |
| One of the "wise
men" |
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April 7, 1837 authorized with other
"wise men," W. W. Phelps, Edward
Partridge, Isaac Morley, and John
Corrill, to buy land for the church in Clay county. |
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Minutes
of April 7, 1837 |
| Reproved |
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September 4, 1837 revelation to Joseph
warns, "John Whitmer & William W. Phelps have done those things which
are not pleasing in my Sight. Therefore if they repent not they Shall be
removd out of their places. Amen." |
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Revelation
of September 4, 1837 |
| Rejected by general
assembly |
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February 5–9, 1838 general
assembly in Far West rejects John, David Whitmer and W. W. Phelps as presidents
of the church in Missouri for inappropriate use of church funds, violations
of the Word of Wisdom. |
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Minutes
of February 5, 1838 |
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February 10, 1838 a common council
of the bishopric and high council cancels John's right to sign and record
licenses. |
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| Excommunicated |
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March 10, 1838 excommunicated by
the high council with W. W. Phelps |
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Minutes
of March 10, 1838 |
| Historical records |
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April 9, 1838 Joseph,
Sidney, Ebenezer Robinson write John, asking him to return the historical records of the Church: |
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Papers 2:226–227. |
| Please
return notes, incompetent historian |
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Sir. We were desireous of honouring you by giving publicity to your notes
on the history of the Church of Latter day Saints, [227] after such corrections
as we thought would be necessary; knowing your incompetency as a historion,
and that your writings coming from your pen, could not be put to the press,
without our correcting them, or elce the Church must suffer reproach;
Indeed Sir, we never supposed you capable of writing a history; but were
willing to let it come out under your name notwithstanding it would realy
not be yours but ours. We are still willing to honour you, if you can
be made to know your own interest and give up your notes, so that they
can be corrected, and made fit for the press. But if not, we have all
the materials for another, which we shall commence this week to write. |
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| Seek lives of First
Presidency |
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[June 1838:] "O. Cowdery, David
Whitmer, Lyman E. Johnson (h),
and John Whitmer [are] guilty of bace iniquities, and that to manifest in
the ages of all men, and being often entreated would continue in their course
seeking the lives of the First Presidency and to overthrow the Kingdom of
God which they once testified off." |
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American prophet, 187. |
| Richmond |
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1838 moves from Far West to Richmond. |
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| New Church of Christ |
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September 1847 William E. McLellin baptizes David
and John Whitmer, Hiram Page, and Jacob Whitmer
into "the Church of Christ;" they then reordain David with "all
the gifts and callings to which he had been appointed through Joseph Smith."
David is not enthused about the new church and nothing comes of it. |
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"Faithful Dissenter",
38. |
| Successful farmer near Far West |
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1875 John Beadle visits Independence area and
reports that John "lives near old Far West and is the wealthiest [man]
in that vicinity, owning 700 acres of land in one body, cattle upon a thousand
hills, and ready money in abundance." |
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Beadle. Source |
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Testimony (1836) |
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| Oliver's piety, integrity |
¶ |
I take occasion here to add, that
I rejoice exceedingly that this Herald of truth [EMS] is in being, and I enjoy the privilege of resigning it into so
good and able hands as Pres. O. Cowdery whose character and standing in
society need no commendation from me where he is personally known: for
he is known to be a man of piety, of candor, of truth, of integrity, of
feeling for the welfare of the human family, and in short, he is a man
of God: God acknowledge him as such in his revealed will: and should
we not do so too? |
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EMS 2,
no. 6 (March 1836): 286–287. |
Time of restoration
Church
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… it gladdens my heart, that
I enjoy the privilege of living in this age of the world, when God in his
kind providence, has began to work for the good of his long dispersed covenant
people; when he has again made manifest his will, and has called servants
by his own voice out of the heavens, and by the ministering of angels,
and by his Holy Spirit; and has chosen the weak and simple to confound
the wisdom of the wise: and to raise up and bring the church of the Lamb
up out of the wilderness of wickedness, fair as the sun and clear as the
moon. Which church took its rise April 6, 1830; and has thus far come up
through much persecution and great tribulation. … |
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Book of Mormon
Handled plates
Translated by gift and power of God |
¶ |
It may not be amiss in this place,
to give a statement to the world concerning the work of the Lord, as I
have been a member of this church of Latter Day Saints from its beginning;
to say that the book of Mormon is a revelation from God, I have no hesitancy;
but with all confidence have signed my named to it as such; and I hope,
that my patrons will indulge me in speaking freely on this subject, as
I am about leaving the editorial department. Therefore
I desire to testify to all that will come to the knowledge of this address;
that I have most assuredly seen the plates from whence the book of Mormon
is translated, and that I have handled these plates, and know of a surety
that Joseph Smith, jr. has translated the book of Mormon by the gift and
power of God, and in this thing the wisdom of the wise most assuredly has
perished: therefore, know ye, O ye inhabitants of the earth, wherever this
address may come, that I have in this thing freed my garments of your blood,
whether you believe or disbelieve the statements of your unworthy friend
and well-wisher. |
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Joseph Smith: only reference to the
prophet in the article. |
| Clear conscience |
¶ |
It is no trifling matter to sport
with the souls of men, and make merchandise of them; I can say, with a
clear conscience before God and man, that I have sought no man's goods,
houses or lands, gold or silver; but had in view for my chief object, the
welfare of the children of men, because I know that I have been called
of God, to assist in bringing forth his work in these last days … |
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| Revelations true, necessary as
Book of Mormon |
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The revelations and commandments
given to us, are, in my estimation, equally true with the book of Mormon,
and equally necessary for salvation, it is necessary to live by every word
that proceedeth from the mouth of God: and I know that the Bible, book
of Mormon and book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church of Christ of
Latter Day Saints, contain the revealed will of heaven. … |
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Far West Land
and Council Meetings |
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| Funds
for the poor |
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Thomas
B. Marsh and Elisha Groves collected $1,450 to benefit the poor in Missouri
and delivered it to John and W. W. Phelps. |
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¶
Minutes of July 25, 1836 |
| Purchase
land instead |
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But the two, without
consulting the bishop, high council, or First Presidency, used the money
to purchase the tract of land that became Far West, then sold it to church
members at a profit. |
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| High
council investigates |
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On April 3, 1837 the
high council, headed by John Murdock, prepared a list of questions for John
Whitmer and W. W. Phelps: by what authority had they selected the site, appointed
and ordained a committee to superintend the construction of a temple, ordained
Jacob Whitmer to the High Priesthood, disfellowshipped a high councilman,
denied preferential treatment of the bishopric and high council in the sale
of lots, and profited from the sale of the lots? |
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Minutes
of April 3, 1837 |
| John
Whitmer and W W. Phelps before the council |
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Two days later, John
and W. W. appeared before the council. First they objected to the presence
of the bishopric and apostles Thomas B. Marsh (h)
and David W. Patten (h). Phelps threatened
to dissolve the council. Marsh countered that he would bring charges against
them before the bishop and twelve high priests (an excommunication hearing).
John and W. W. acquiesced and responded to the questions. |
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Minutes
of April 5–6, 1837 |
| Agree
to turn land over |
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The hearing continued
through the 7th of April, the two presidents being severely rebuked (including
Patten's accusation of fraud). In the end John and W. W. agreed to transfer
land adjacent to the commons to the bishop and use profits from the sale
of lands to benefit the poor. |
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Minutes
of April 7, 1837 |
| Stake
presidency superintend temple construction, receive revelations |
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Another session was then
held, at which the city platt was approved; John and W.
W. Phelps, Edward Partridge, Isaac
Morley, and John Corrill were authorized
to set the price of town lots; the temple building committee was sustained
as constituted, as well as the ordination of Jacob Whitmer; and the stake
presidency (David and John Whitmer, and W. W. Phelps) were "appointed
to superintend the building of [104] the house of the Lord in this City
Far West and receive Revelations Visions &c. concerning said house"
. |
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FWR,103–104.
(These minutes are out of order in the record.) |
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Secret Combinations
1836–1838 |
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Kirtland
Safety Society
Polygamy
Gadianton bands |
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In the fall of 1836,
Joseph Smith Jr., S. Rigdon, & others of the Leaders of the church at
Kirtland, Ohio, Established a bank for the purpose of Speculation and the
whole church partook of the same spirit. They were lifted up in pride, and
lusted after the forbidden things of God such as covetousness, & in
secret combination, Spiritual wife doctrine, that is pleurality of wives,
and gadianton bands in which they were bound with oaths &c. that brought
divisins and mistrust among those who were pure in heart and desired the
upbilding of the Kingdom of God.
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J. Whitmer,
183–185. |
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1838 Missouri
Joseph: drive dissenters |
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J. Smith Jr. & S.
Rigdon & Hyrum Smith moved their families to this place, Far West, in
the Spring of 1838. As soon as they came here they began to enforce their
new organized plan in force which caused disensions and difficulties threatnings
and even murders. Smith Called a counsel of council. He Stated that any
person who said a word against the heads of the church should be driven
over these prairies as a chaced deer by a pack of hounds, having an allusian
to the [184] gideonites, as they were then termed, to Justify themselves,
in their wicked designes.
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| Salt
sermon |
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Thus on the 19th of June
1838 they preached a sermon called the Salt sermon in which these gideonites
understood that they should drive the disenters as they termed those who
believed not in their secret bands in fornication adultery or midnight machinations. |
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| Dissenters
sued |
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Therefore they commenced
suing at the law of the land by attachment for debts which they knew were
paid and Justly paid, according to the laws of God and the Land & thus
foreswore themselves in these things. |
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| Threatened |
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J. Smith, S.
Rigdon,
& Hiram Smith were the instigators & G. W. Robinson was the prosecutor—against
David Whitmer, L. E. Johnson, O.
Cowdery, F.
G. Williams, W. W. Phelps and
myself—they had threatend us to kill us if we did not make restitution
to them by upholding them in their wicked purposes and designs after they
had instituted the foregoing suits.
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Ousters |
| Dissenters
win suits |
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O. Cowdery, D. Whitmer,
L. E. Johnson & myself went to Clay Co. to obtain legal counsel to prepare
to over throw these attachments which they had caused to [be] sued against
us which we were abundantly able to do by good and substantial witnesses.
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| Cowdery,
Johnson families driven from homes |
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But to our great astonishment
when we were on our way home from Liberty, Clay Co., we met the families
of O. Cowdery & L. E. Johnson whom they had driven from their homes
and robed them of all their goods save clothing & bedding &c.
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| Threats |
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While we were gone Jo.
& Rigdon & the band of gadeantons kept up a guard and watched our
houses and abused our families and threatened them if they were not gone
by morning they would be drove out & threatened our lives if they ever
saw us in Far West. |
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Mormons
loot Daviess
Old timers repay
War
Only dissenters left |
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After they had driven
us and our families they commenced a difficulty in Davies Co. adjoining
this Co. in the which they began to rob and burn houses &c, &c.,
took honey [185] which they (the Mormons) called Sweet oil & hogs which
they called bear, and Cattle which they called Buffalo. Thus they would
Justify themselves by saying we are the people of God and all things are
Gods, therefore they are ours. The old inhabitants were not slack in paying
them in their own coin. Thus war and bloodshed commenced and the result
was that the Church driven from this land & the pure in heart and inocent
as well as the more wicked, Save a few dissenters who were left here to
fulfil some of the former commandments.
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Request
for the Return of Records |
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On April 9, 1838, Joseph,
Sidney, and E. Robinson write John, |
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Papers
2:226–227. |
| Please
return notes, incompetent historian |
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Sir. We were desireous of honouring you by giving publicity to your notes
on the history of the Church of Latter day Saints, [227] after such corrections
as we thought would be necessary; knowing your incompetency as a historion,
and that your writings coming from your pen, could not be put to the press,
without our correcting them, or elce the Church must suffer reproach;
Indeed Sir, we never supposed you capable of writing a history; but were
willing to let it come out under your name notwithstanding it would realy
not be yours but ours. We are still willing to honour you, if you can
be made to know your own interest and give up your notes, so that they
can be corrected, and made fit for the press. But if not, we have all
the materials for another, which we shall commence this week to write. |
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Family |
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| Wife |
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Sarah Jackson (1809–1873) md. February
10, 1833 |
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| Children |
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Nancy Jane, b. 1834
John Oliver (1835–1846)
Sarah Elizabeth, b. 1837
Jacob David Jefferson, b. 1844), inherited the Far West temple block from
his father
Alexander Peter Jackson, b. 1849 |
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David Whitmer
Peter Whitmer Jr.
Biographies
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