Mormon Folklore Figure. A member of the Whitmer family, he was one of three witnesses to offer testimony regarding the translation of the Book of Mormon and to witness the engravings of the "golden plates." An acquaintance of Oliver Cowdery, he invited Cowdery, Joseph Smith and his wife to stay at his parents farm while Smith transcribed the golden plates. Smith baptized him into the church in June, 1829 and he became a preacher and missionary in Ohio and Missouri. Ordained a High Priest in Oct 1831, he remained in Jackson County, Missouri until 1833 when church members were driven out of the county. Appointed president of the High Council in 1834, he acted as one of the leading elders of the Church and was sustained as president of the Saints in Caldwell County shortly thereafter. In April, 1838, he was excommunicated from the church for various transgressions. The remaining Whitmer family members left the church at the same time and together they moved to Ray County, Missouri where David died in 1888. Despite his differences and eventual excommunication, he remained faithful to his testimony regarding the Book of Mormon throughout his life.
Mormon Folklore Figure. A member of the Whitmer family, he was one of three witnesses to offer testimony regarding the translation of the Book of Mormon and to witness the engravings of the "golden plates." An acquaintance of Oliver Cowdery, he invited Cowdery, Joseph Smith and his wife to stay at his parents farm while Smith transcribed the golden plates. Smith baptized him into the church in June, 1829 and he became a preacher and missionary in Ohio and Missouri. Ordained a High Priest in Oct 1831, he remained in Jackson County, Missouri until 1833 when church members were driven out of the county. Appointed president of the High Council in 1834, he acted as one of the leading elders of the Church and was sustained as president of the Saints in Caldwell County shortly thereafter. In April, 1838, he was excommunicated from the church for various transgressions. The remaining Whitmer family members left the church at the same time and together they moved to Ray County, Missouri where David died in 1888. Despite his differences and eventual excommunication, he remained faithful to his testimony regarding the Book of Mormon throughout his life.
Bio by: Beth Painter
Family Members
Advertisement
