Oliver Cowdery
Oliver Cowdery was one of the first members of the Mormon Church. He is an important figure in Mormon history, since he was scribe for the Book of Mormon, first person to be baptized into the Church, witness to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and leader in the early days of the Church. He witnessed many things with Joseph Smith and had much authority in the early Church.
Oliver was born on October 3, 1806 in Wells, Vermont. There is little information about his youth and the earliest records state that at twenty years old he moved to New York. He worked as a clerk in a store until 1829, and then taught at the school in Manchester. Oliver Cowdery boarded in the home of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack, Joseph Smith's parents, and while there learned of Joseph's visions and the manuscript he was translating. Oliver became convinced of the truth of this information and wanted to become a scribe for Joseph Smith.
Oliver became Joseph’s scribe on April 7, 1829 and worked for him until the translation of the Book of Mormon was completed. Oliver was grateful for the opportunity he had to hear the words of the book. While translating, Joseph and Oliver learned about baptism and went to ask the Lord if they needed to be baptized. While they were praying they heard the voice of Christ and John the Baptist appeared to them. He gave them the priesthood authority to baptize and taught them. Oliver also witnessed the restoration of the higher Melchizedek priesthood through the ancient apostles, Peter, James, and John.
In June of 1829, Oliver became one of the Three Witnesses, along with Martin Harris and David Whitmer, who saw the gold plates and an angel and were commanded to bear testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. While translating the record, Joseh and Oliver learned that three witnesses would be allowed to see the record and bear testimony in addition to Joseph. The four men retired to the woods where they prayed. An angel appeared to them, showing them the plates and the Urim and Thummim. The voice of God was heared commanding them to bear record of the event. Though these men suffered much, not one of them ever denied this testimony. Oliver was then given the job of overseeing the publication of the book.
Oliver Cowdery was the first member of the Church to speak in a public meeting after the Church had been officially organized on April 6, 1830. Oliver’s speeches and writings were known for their logic and personal knowledge. Shortly after the organization of the Church Oliver was asked to lead the first major missionary expedition of the Church. The group was asked to teach the Native Americans and through their efforts Church membership doubled. From 1830-1831 Oliver served as the first Church recorder, and acted as scribe for Joseph Smith while he was translating the Bible. This position was given to him again from 1835-1837. He kept the official minutes of meetings and was a contributor to many of the Church newspapers. In 1830, Oliver Cowdery was also called as the first counselor to Joseph Smith.
In 1831, Oliver was asked to transport the manuscript of Joseph Smith’s revelations to Missouri for printing. He was asked to stay and help William W. Phelps print the book. Bad relations in Missouri with neighbors made it necessary for these two men to return to Ohio where they continued printing the book. In 1835, Oliver helped Joseph Smith make final corrections to what is now the Doctrine and Covenants. In 1836, Oliver Cowdery was with Joseph Smith when they witnessed a vision in the Kirtland Temple. In this vision, he saw Jesus Christ and many messengers sent from God. Two years later in 1838, a rift developed between Joseph Smith and Oliver. The rift developed over disagreements with Joseph's leadership. Oliver felt that he should have more power and independence in the Church. He also tried on attempting to collect on debts after the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society, inactivity, and falsely accusing Joseph of adultery. He was excommunited.
After he was excommunicated he moved back to Ohio and practiced law. He became a prominent leader in the area. He was known as an able lawyer, brilliant, yet modest and reserved. In 1847, he moved to Wisconsin and continued practicing law. Letters to his family show that he remained a believer in the Church and was hurt by being rejected, as he saw it. In 1848, Oliver returned to the Church and joined the Saints in Council Bluffs, Iowa with his wife and young daughter. During the ten years he had been out of the Church he did not once deny the Book of Mormon or the visions he saw.
When he returned to the Church he expressed only the desire to be rebaptized and fellowshipped, but refused an position in the Church. Lack of funds and winter forced the family to stay in Missouri in 1849. Unfortunately Oliver was suffering from a respiratory condition and died on March 3, 1850 before he was able to move to Utah with the rest of the Church. His last letter states that he accepted a call to lobby for the Church in Washington, but he never got to fulfill this call. His wife recorded, “He always without one doubt…affirmed the divinity and truth of the Book of Mormon.”
