John Corrill

John Corrill served as second counselor to the first bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bishop Edward Partridge, from 1831 to 1837. Corrill was baptized on January 10, 1831, and served as a missionary to New London, Ohio, with Solomon Hancock. After his call to serve in the Presiding Bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served a mission to Missouri. He was appointed to oversee the completion of the Kirtland Temple, and later returned to Missouri and helped settle Far West. He was elected representative for Caldwell County in the Missouri State Legislature in 1838 and served for one term.

He and Elias Higbee were appointed Church historians and Joseph Smith asked him to write a history of the Church, which he completed in 1839. However, at the conclusion of the 50-page history entitled “A Brief History of the Church of Latter-day Saints (Commonly Called Mormons),” he explained why he was leaving the Church. He was excommunicated on March 17, 1839.

Corrill passed away on September 26, 1842, in Adams County Illinois.