Cowdery, Oliver b. October 3, 1806 d. March 3, 1850 Assistant President LDS Church. Elder Cowdery was the son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller and was born 3 October 1806 at Wells, Rutland County, Vermont. He became acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith and began writing as his scribe on the translation of the gold plates in April 1829. With the Prophet he received the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods in the spring of 1829. He was one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon and became a charter member of Church on 6 April 1830...[Read More] (Bio by: Carl W. McBrayer) Pioneer Cemetery, Richmond, Ray County, Missouri, USA
Harris, Martin b. May 18, 1783 d. July 9, 1875 Harris lived not far from the Smith family in Palmyra, New York, responsible for losing the first 116 pages of the Book of Mormon, and helped fund the first five-thousand copies of the printing of the Book of Mormon. However, he did not follow the Saints to Missouri from Ohio. He remained and fell under the influence of James J. Strang and apostatized from the Church. Years later he moved to Utah, and diligently sought rebaptism. After a manifestation of the spirit, the baptismal font was...[Read More] (Bio by: Chad Stowell) Pioneer Cemetery, Richmond, Ray County, Missouri, USA
Whitmer, Jacob b. February 2, 1800 d. April 21, 1856 Mormon Folklore Figure. A member of the Whitmer family, he was one of eight witnesses to the "golden plates." In June 1829, he signed a statement testifying that he saw and handled the golden plates; the source from which Joseph Smith Jr. translated the Book of Mormon. On April 11, 1830, he was baptized in Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served on Far West's High Council. When his brothers were excommunicated in 1838, he left the church and moved to Ray County, where he worked...[Read More] (Bio by: Beth Painter) Pioneer Cemetery, Richmond, Ray County, Missouri, USA
Whitmer, Mary Elsa b. August 27, 1778 d. January, 1856 Mormon Folklore Figure. Matriarch of the Whitmer family, influential members of the early Mormon Church. She is the only woman reported to have seen the golden plates associated with the Book of Mormons. Joseph and Emma Smith had been invited to board at the family farm while the translation of the plates was completed. Overwhelmed with the responsibilities of hosting the Smith's and company, she told of a visit by Brother Nephi who explained the nature of the work involved. "He then untied his...[Read More] (Bio by: Beth Painter) Pioneer Cemetery, Richmond, Ray County, Missouri, USA
Whitmer, Peter b. April 14, 1773 d. August 12, 1854 Mormon Folklore Figure. Patriarch of the Whitmer family, influential members of the early Mormon Church. Five sons and two sons-in-law were witnesses of the golden plates, the source of the Book of Mormon. At the request of his son David he invited Joseph and Emma Smith and Oliver Cowdery to stay at the family farm in Fayette, New York where the translation of the Book of Mormon was completed in 1829. The first meeting of the newly form church was held in his house on April 11, 1830; he was...[Read More] (Bio by: Beth Painter) Pioneer Cemetery, Richmond, Ray County, Missouri, USA Plot: unmarked grave [unmarked]
b. 1840 d. October 26, 1864