Oliver Cowdery (1806

Mormon History: 1830 to 1839

Oliver Cowdery (1806–1850)

Book of Mormon scribe §. One of the Three Witnesses §. Ordains Joseph Smith an elder §. First Church Recorder/Historian §. Authorized to receive revelations for the Church §. Mission to the Lamanites §. Kirtland sucess §. Editor of the Evening and Morning Star, Assistant President of the Church §. Selects members of the first Council of the Twelve with David Whitmer and Martin Harris; and members of the First Quorum of the Seventy with Joseph, David, and Martin §. Scribe for translation of Egyptian mummy scrolls §. Authors Article on Marriage and Article on Governments and Laws published in Doctrine and Covenants §. Witnesses vision with Joseph of the Lord, Moses, Elijah, and Elias at dedication of the House of the Lord §. Visits Salem with Joseph, Sidney, and Hyrum in search of treasure §. Vice-president of the Bank of Monroe §. Excommunicated in Far West in 1837 §. Rebaptized 1848 §.

Born		Oliver Hervy Pliny Cowdery, October 3, 1806, in Wells, Rutland County, Vermont.	Revelations
Died		March 3, 1850 in Richmond, Ray County, Missouri.	Revelations
Father		William Cowdery	Revelations
Mother		Rebecca Fuller	Revelations
School		1821, 1822 attends school in Wells, Vermont.	Wells, 79.
Meets Joseph		[April 5–7, 1829] Near the time of the setting of the Sun, Sabbath evening, April 5th, 1829, my natural eyes, for the first time beheld this brother. He then resided in Harmony, Susquehanna county Penn. On Monday the 6th, I assisted him in arranging some business of a temporal nature, and on Tuesday the 7th, commenced to write the book of Mormon. These	¶ Oliver Cowdery's History (Oct. 1834)
Gift, may translate		April [7–30], 1829 has gift to know mysteries; admonish Joseph and be admonished by him; Lord has told him things no one else knows; given privilage of translating plates.	D&C 6
Rod of Aaron, ancient records		April [7–30], 1829 has gifts of revelation and working with the rod. He is to ask about the mysteries of ancient records and the Lord will reveal them to him.	D&C 8
Fails to translation		[April [7–30], 1829] Behold you have not understood, you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought, save it was to ask me; but behold I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right, I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you: therefore, you shall feel that it is right	¶ D&C 9
Aaronic Priesthood restoration		May 15, 1829 Aaronic Priesthood restoration (traditional date).
Three Witnesses		[Late] June 1829 one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon.
Revelation of church articles		1829 receives revelation of the Articles of the Church of Christ.
Melchizedek Priesthood restoration		[May 15, 1829–April 6, 1830] Melchizedek Priesthood restoration (traditional date).	Priesthood Restoration
Organizing member		April 6, 1830 one of the six organizing members of the Church of Christ. Ordained an elder by Joseph Smith, then ordains Joseph an elder.	¶ Accounts of April 6, 1830
Pride		April 6, 1830 warned of pride.	¶ D&C 23:1
First preacher		April 6, 1830 to be "an Elder" and " the first Preacher of this Church unto the Church & before the world."	¶ D&C 21:12
First public sermon		April 11, 1830 delivers the church's first public sermon at Fayette, New York.	Papers, 304.
Heads east with Books of Mormon		[May 1830] The apostle to the NEPHITES (Cowdery) has started for the EAST, on board a boat with a load of "Gold bibles," under a command, (as he says) to declare the truth (according to JO SMITH,) "in all the principal cities in the Union."	The Reflector (Palmyra), June 1, 1830. Source
Church recorder		June 9, 1830 designated to keep "the Church record and Conference minutes until the next conference."	Minutes of June 9, 1830
Argues with Joseph		September [5–26], 1830 contests Joseph's requirements for baptism in the Articles and Covenants.	¶ D&C 28 Background
Pamphlet peddler and printer		Prior to meeting Joseph Smith, Oliver is "an itinerant pamphlet pedlar and occasionally a journeyman printer."	"Mormonism," Connecticut Courant, July 12, 1831 reprint of Lockport Balance (Lockport, New York, Orasmus Turner, ed.), May 31, 1831. Source
		… we had known Cowdry some seven or eight years ago, when he was a dabbler in the art of Printing, and principally occupied in writing and printing pamphlets, with which, as a pedestrian Pedlar, he visited the towns and villages of western New York and Canada …	"The Golden Bible," Cleveland Herald, Nov. 25, 1830. Source

Teach the church		[September [20–26], 1830] Behold I say unto you Oliver, that it shall be given ~~thee~~ <unto> thee that thou shalt be heard by the Church in all things Whatsoever thou shalt teach <them> by the Comforter concerning the revelations & commandments which I have given	¶ BCR, 40 // D&C 28:1 Scribe: John Whitmer Purple: Rigdon redaction
Revelation Not to write		& if thou art led at any time by the comforter to speak or teach or at all times by the way of Commandment unto the Church thou mayest do it But thou shalt not write by way of Commandment ~~unto the Church~~ but by wisdom … <you> shall have Revelations but write them not by way of Commandment	¶ BCR, 41 // D&C 28:4–5, 8
Mission to the Lamanites		& now Behold I say unto you ~~that thou shalt~~ <that you shall> go unto the Lamanites & Preach my Gospel unto them & cause my Church to be established among them & ~~thou shalt~~ <you> shall have Revelations but write them not by way of Commandment & Now behold I say unto you that it is not Revealed & no man knoweth where the City shall be built But it shall be given hereafter Behold I say unto you that it shall be ~~among~~ <on the borders by> the Lamanites	¶ BCR, 40 // D&C 28:8–9 Oliver's companions, named later, were Parley P. Pratt (h), Peter Whitmer Jr., and Ziba Peterson. They were joined by Frederick G. Williams in Kirtland. Purple: Rigdon redaction
Mission covenant		October 17, 1830, "being commanded of the Lord God to go forth unto the Lamanites to proclaim glad tidings of great joy unto them … and also to rear up a pillar as a witness where the temple of God shall be built in the glorious New Jerusalem," Oliver signs a covenant "that I will walk humbly before him and do this business and this glorious work according as he shall direct me by the Holy Ghost."	Covenants of the Lamanite Missionaries
Kirtland		October 30, 1830 arrives at Sidney Rigdon's home in Mentor, Ohio.	Missionaries in Kirtland, 1830
Proposes to young lady		November 1830 proposes to a young woman in Kirtland while engaged to Elizabeth Ann Whitmer in New York.	Minutes of May 26, 1832
	¶	[Ezra Booth:] As it relates to the purity of the heart of "that little man", if a pure and pleasant fountain can send forth corrupt and bitter streams, then may the heart of that man be pure, who enters into a matrimonial contract with a young lady, and obtains the consent of her parents; but as soon as his back is turned upon her, he violates his engagements, and prostitutes his honor by becoming the gallant of another, and resolved in his heart, and expresses resolutions to marry her. But as the practice of a man will ever stand as a general criterion by which the principles of the heart are to be tested, we say, that the heart of such a man is the reverse of purity.	¶ Ezra Booth Letter 9
Thursday the 4th: 17 Saturday the 6th: 1 Sunday the 7th: 28 Monday the 8th: 3 Tuesday the 9th: 3 Wednesday the 10th: 1 Friday the 12th: 1 [Saturday the 13th]: 1 Total: 55		[Oliver Cowdery:] On the fourth after attending a public meeting we came to the place where we had prophesied tarrying a few days. It is where several families had united themselves as a band of brethren and put all their property together determining to live separate from the world as much as possible and when we had returned we held a meeting with these brethren, and seventeen went immediately forward and were baptized, between eleven and twelve at night, and on the 6th there was one more, on the 7th nine in the daytime and at night nineteen, on the 8th three, on the 9th three, on the 10th at night one, on the 12th one, on this day another, making in the whole fifty five, among whom are brother Sidney Rigdon and wife.	For more information, see Missionaries in Kirtland (1830)
Leave for Missouri		[John Murdock:] on Monday Morning [by extrapolation, November 29] the York brethren accompined by F. G. Williams, a late convert, took leave of us for uper Missourri.	Murdock autobiography, 19.
Strongsville		December 1830 baptizes members of the Coltrin family and others in Strongsville, Ohio.	Parley P. Pratt, 67.
Independence Indians		January 19, 1831 writes Joseph that they arrived in Independence a few days ago. Now about 25 miles from the Shawnees, on the south side of the Kansas river, the Delaware are on the north. He has met chief twice. Told him and eighteen or twenty council members "the truth," and the chief replied that "they were very glad for what I their Brother had told them and they had recived it in their hearts &c—" Is not sure how it will go with them. Severe weather, deep snow.	Joseph to Hyrum, March 3–4, 1831
Lamanite mission		May 7, 1831 writes Joseph that there is no change in the Lamanite mission, he and Ziba Peterson have found some interest in Lafayette County.	Oliver to Joseph, May 7, 1831
Assistant printer		July 20, 1831 called to assist Church printer W. W. Phelps in Independence. He is "to copy & to correct & select &c. that all things may be right before me as it shall be proved by the Spirit through him."	BCR, 94 // & D&C 57:13.
Ohio		August 1831 returns to Ohio from Missouri.
High Priesthood		August 28, 1831 ordained to the High Priesthood by Sidney Rigdon.	Minutes of August 28, 1831
Amherst conference		September 29, 1831 attends conference in Amherst, Lorain county, Ohio with Sylvester Smith and Joel Johnson.	Minutes of September 29, 1831
Copy and correct revelations for Book of Commandments		November 8, 1831 conference of eight elders in Hiram authorizes Oliver to "<copy, correct, and select> all the writings which go forth to the world ~~which go~~ through the Printing press (except) the revelations and commandments, by the Spirit of the Lord and this according to the commandment given in Missouri, July 20, 1831."	Minutes of November 8, 1831
Delivers revelations to Missouri		November 20, 1831 leaves for Independence with John Whitmer and the manuscript, Book of Commandments and Revelations.	J. Whitmer, 102; Rise, 281n30.
		January 5, 1832 Oliver and John reach Independence.	Independence printing, 55, citing OC account book.
Missouri schools		January 24, 1832 conference elects Oliver to superintend schools in Missouri with William W. Phelps, and John Corrill.	¶ Oliver to Joseph, January 28, 1832
Describes problems in Zion		January 28, 1832 writes Joseph about the financial difficulties in Jackson county, equipment needed, missionaries assigned, ready to print Book of Commandments soon.	Oliver to Joseph, January 28, 1832
United Firm		April 28, 1832 (Independence) United Firm organized with nine partners: Oliver, Joseph Smith, Edward Partridge, N. K. Whitney, Sidney Gilbert, Sidney Rigdon, John Whitmer, W. W. Phelps and Martin Harris.	D&C 82
Literary Firm Select revelations, make verbal corrections		April 30, 1832 Literary Firm authorizes Oliver, W. W. Phelps, and John Whitmer to review the manuscripts for the Book of Commandments and "select for printing such as shall be deemed by them proper, as dictated by the Spirit & make all necessary verbal corrections."	Minutes of April 30, 1832 (Literary Firm)
Tried for 1830 proposal		May 26, 1832 acknowledges error in proposing to a young woman in Kirtland in 1830 and is forgiven by council.	Minutes of May 26, 1832 ¶ Ezra Booth Letter
Marries		December 18, 1832 marries Elizabeth Ann Whitney.	Oliver to Lyman Cowdery, Jan. 13, 1834. Source
Negotiates evacuation of Jackson County		July 23, 1833 with the rest of Church leadership in Jackson County, Oliver agrees to move out of the county by January 1, 1834 and use his influence to persuade all Saints to leave by April 1.	¶ Missouri Persecutions (1833–1834) (2)
Missouri mobbings		Early September 1833 leaves Missouri to consult with Joseph Smith about Jackson county violence.	Missouri Persecutions (1833–1834) (1)
Publishes Evening and Morning Star		September 11, 1833 appointed publisher and editor of the Evening and Morning Star in Kirtland.
New York		October 1833 travels to New York City to purchase printing materials.
Printing press		December [1], 1833 Oliver and Newel K. Whitney arrive in Kirtland with a new press and type.
Anniversary		December 18, 1833 first anniversary of Oliver and Elizabeth Ann's wedding.
Kirtland Evening and Morning Star		December 18, 1833 The Kirtland printing press and materials are dedicated; and the first sheet of the Evening and Morning Star is pulled. Oliver is the editor.
Blessings Two evils Ordained by an "angel in the bush"		December 18, 1833 Joseph blesses his mother and father and brothers, Oliver, Frederick G. Williams, and Sidney Rigdon. Oliver is warned of "two evils in him that he must needs forsake." He and Joseph have fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy that a seer and his scribe would be ordained "by the hand of the angel in the bush, unto the lesser priesthood, and after receive the holy priesthood under the hands of … those who received it under the hand of the Messiah."	There are two versions of Oliver's blessing. See Blessing of Oliver Cowdery.
		[January 13, 1834] I left her [Elizabeth Ann] in Missouri last summer expecting to return, soon, but did not. I sent for her last fall but the season was so far advanced that she did not deem it prudent to come this season; I frequently hear from her, she is well, and probably will come to this country next spring. How long I may tarry here is to me uncertain as I expect, (if life is spared), sooner or later to remove again to Missouri as it is by far the most delightrful country that I ever saw.	Oliver to Lyman Cowdery, Jan. 13, 1834. Source
High council		February 17, 1834 member of first Kirtland high council.	Minutes of February 17, 1834
Zion's Camp		April 18–21, 1834 travels to New Portage with Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Zebedee Coltrin to raise support for the redemption of Zion (Zion's Camp).	Minutes of April 20–21, 1834
Leads Kirtland church with Sidney		May–June 1834 in charge of Kirtland church with Sidney while Joseph and others make the trek to Missouri and back with Zion's Camp.
		August 1834 writes confession with Thomas Burdick and Orson Hyde for Sylvester Smith to sign regarding his accusations against Joseph Smith.
Doctrine & Covenants proceeds		September 24, 1834 Kirtland high council authorizes Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams to create a Book of Covenants and the proceeds of the book sales will be theirs.	Minutes of September 24, 1834
Michigan		October 16–[27], 1834 accompanies Joseph and Hyrum, Frederick G. Williams, David Whitmer and possibly others to visits the Pontiac, Michigan branch.	MA 1, no. 1 (Oct. 1834): 6. Edward Stevenson Reminiscence (2)
Oliver's history		October [25] 1834 first installment of Oliver's seven-part history of the church appears in the first issue of the Messenger and Advocate. Same issue contains his October 20 letter from Pontiac.	Oliver's 1834–1835 History
Tithing		November 19, 1834 Joseph and Oliver covenant with the Lord, that if he would prosper them in certain things, they would give a "tenth to be bestowed upon the poor of his Church, or as he shall command."
Assistant President		December 5, 1834 Joseph, Sidney, Frederick G. Williams, and Oliver meet. Joseph ordains Oliver Assistant President.	¶ Presidents of the High Priesthood
Twelve Apostles		February 14, 1835 the Three Witnesses (Oliver, David Whitmer, Martin Harris) meet and select the first Council of the Twelve Apostles.	Minutes of February 14, 1835 Twelve Apostles
First Quorum of Seventy		Joseph, David, Martin, and Oliver meet with members of Zion's Camp and select members of the First Quorum of the Seventy.	Kirtland council; J. Whitmer, 59n4.
Presides over branches		June 6, 1835 presides over New Portage and Strongsville branches.	Minutes of June 6, 1835
Finishes term as editor		Mid-May 1835 John Whitmer replaces Oliver as editor of the Messenger and Advocate.	Crawley bibiography, 47.
House of the Lord subscription		June 25, 1835 subscribes $750 for House of the Lord in Kirtland. Joseph, W. W. Phelps, John Whitmer, and Frederick G. Williams each subscribe $500.	HC 2:234.
Book of Abraham		July 3, 1835 begins work as scribe, with W. W. Phelps, on translation of Egyptian mummy scrolls.	HC 2:235, 520–521.
Article on Marriage		August 15, 1835 General Assembly approves publication of the first Doctrine and Covenants, including the Lectures on Faith and Oliver's Article on Marriage and Article on Governments and Laws.	Minutes of August 17, 1835
Church Recorder		September 14, 1835 called as Church Recorder by "a High Council of the Presidency," also approves salary and expenses for him, Joseph Sr. (for patriarchal blessings), and Frederick G. Williams (for recording patriarchal blessings).	Minutes of September 14, 1835
Prejudice of Oliver's relatives		December 23, 1835 in the afternoon, Joseph Smith and Leonard Rich visit Oliver's relatives. They "had not a very agreeable visit for I found them [89] filled with prejudice against the work of the Lord and their minds blinded with superstition & ignorance &c"	Diary-2, 88–89.
Ordination regulations		February 24, 1836 appointed with Orson Hyde and Sylvester Smith to draft license rules and regulations for ordinations and licenses.	MS history, 629.
Bank of Monroe vice-president		March 16, 1836 the Bank of Monroe financial statement, provided by bank vice-president Oliver Cowdery, shows $1,206.59 in coin and $31,163.00 currency (including virtually worthless Kirtland Safety Society banknotes). With $191,330.76 in liabilities, the bank is on the verge of bankruptcy.	"Statement of the condition of the Bank of Monroe," Monroe Times, Mar. 16, 1836. Source
Temple dedication		March 27, 1836 sits in the third pulpit in the west end with David and John Whitmer for the dedication of the House of the Lord.	American prophet, 143.
Redemption of Zion		April 2, 1836 Joseph, Sidney, Oliver, Frederick G. Williams, John Whitmer and W. W. Phelps (all six church presidents) confer on the redemption of Zion. Joseph and Oliver are to raise funds to redeem the land.	Diary-2 in PWJS, 271.
House of the Lord experiences Moses, Elijah, Elias		April 3, 1836 witnesses vision with Joseph of the Lord accepting the House; and Moses, Elijah, and Elias committing the keys of gathering, gospel of Abraham, turning the hearts of fathers to their children and children to their fathers.	Last entry of Diary-2. D&C 110
New York		July 25, 1836 takes slow steamboat from Fairport to Buffalo with Sidney Rigdon, others. Next day take a line boat for Rochester, then Utica. Take train to Schenectady—"the first passengers' car on the new road." Transfer to another train to Albany. Steamer to New York City. Visits Wall Street. Comments, "There is money yet in Wall street, and 'Draper, Underwood,' and others, ready to help incorporated bodies to plates and dyes, to make more." (Looking for plates, dies to print bank notes?)	MA 2, no. 12 (Sept. 1836): 372–376.
Salem, Massachusetts		Early August 1836 Joseph, Hyrum, Sidney, and Oliver arrive in Salem, Massachusetts in search of treasure.	HC 2:464; No Man, 192.
		August 24, 1836 writes from Boston reporting visit to New York, Providence, Boston, Salem.	MA 3, no. 1 (Oct. 1836): 386–393.
Philadelphia		[November–December 1836] assigned to go to Philadelphia to get printing plates for Kirtland Safety Society notes.
Printing plates		January 1, 1836 returns to Kirtland with plates.
Company dissolved		February 1, 1837 Joseph, Hyrum, Sidney, and Oliver are in Monroe, Michigan for the takeover of the Monroe Bank. Since Oliver will move to Monroe as bank vice-president, the O. Cowdery and Company is dissolved and the assets are transferred to Joseph Smith Jr. and Sidney Rigdon. Oliver's brother, Warren A. Cowdery, becomes their agent and editor of the Messenger and Advocate.	HC 2:475; RLDS history 2:99.
Bank charter denied		February 7, 1837 Ohio Senate refuses to grant a bank charter for the Kirtland Safety Society.
Monroe Bank vice-president		February 10, 1837 elected a director and vice-president by the board of directors of the Monroe bank	Monroe Times, Feb. 16, 1837. Source
Elected Justice of the Peace		May 25, 1837 elected a Justice of the Peace in Kirtland without opposition.	PT, May 25, 1837. Source
Rules against Kirtland Safety Society		June 17, 1837 as Justice of the Peace, rules Kirtland Safety Society notes are not "lawful tender."	Painesville Republican. Source
Resigns		August 1837 resigns as Justice of the Peace.	Source
Assistant counselor		September 3, 1837 appointed assistant counselor to the First Presidency, as are Joseph Sr., Hyrum, and Uncle John Smith and Oliver Cowdery. The First Presidency and the four assistants are "to be concidred the heads of the Church."	Minutes of September 3, 1837
Far West		By September 17, 1837 has left Kirtland for Far West, accompanied by Thomas B. Marsh.	¶ Minutes of September 17, 1837
		October 20, 1837 arrives in Far West.
"Difficulties" with Joseph and Thomas B. Marsh		All difficulties were satisfactorily settled except a matter between J. Smith jr. Oliver Cowdery and T. B. Marsh which was referred to themselves with the agreement that their settlement of the affair should be sufficient for the Council.	¶ Minutes of November 6, 1837
Sidney influences Joseph against Oliver?		[Addison Everett:] This Br I aluded too Said Br Oliver Drove His carrage under the shade of A tree by the side of the roade and held a lenthy convention with him And among Other things He said Sidny Rigdon weaned the Affections of Br Joseph from Him And the Church had cast him off And he seemed verry sorrowful on that Account.	¶ Addison Everett: Priesthood Restoration
Excommunicated		April 12, 1838 excommunicated by the high council and bishopric of Zion in Far West.	Minutes of April 12, 1838
Kirtland		Fall 1848 returns to Kirtland and lives near his brother, Lyman Cowdery.
Attorney		1840 admitted to Ohio bar, practices law with Lyman in Kirtland until moving to Tiffin, Ohio in the fall.
Tiffin, Elkhorn		1840–1847 practices law in Tiffin, Ohio, and Elkhorn, Wisconsin.
Politician		1848 runs unsuccessfully for state legislature in Wisconsin.
Baptized		November 12, 1848 baptized by Orson Hyde in Kanesville, Iowa.

		Family
Wife		Elizabeth Ann Whitmer, b. Jan. 22, 1815; md. Dec. 18, 1832 d. Jan. 6, 1892 In attendance at organization of the Church, Apr. 6, 1830.	Cemetery memorial plaque, Southwest City, Missouri. Source
Children		Maria Louise Elizabeth Ann Josephine Rebecca Oliver Peter Adeline Fuller Julia Olive
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