From Historian To Dissident: The Book Of John Whitmer

Book Summary

John Whitmer served as LDS Church Historian from 1831 to his excommunication in 1838. His narrative is a valuable resource for tracing early Mormon history, particularly the "Mormon War" in Missouri. Here the Westgrens faithfully reproduce the entire, original document, supplementing the text with annotation. Simple and straightforward, John Whitmer's early history of Mormonism (1831-44) reflects an implicit faith in Jesus' imminence. To Whitmer, the Millennium overshadowed any other consideration, including inconsistencies in ecclesiastical development. For example, a revelation condemning "hireling priests" is followed by one granting the prophet a parsonage and salary. Whitmer made no attempt to reconcile such apparent contradictions. The "Book of John Whitmer" is the earliest commissioned history of Mormonism, published here in its entirety from the original manuscript for the first time. Although Whitmer's belief and commitment never waned, his trust in the church's leadership did. He was excommunicated in 1838. Thereafter his record took on a decidedly antagonistic tone. Best known as a witness to Joseph Smith's gold plates, Whitmer served as a Book of Mormon scribe, the Latter-day Saints' Messenger and Advocate editor, and as a member of the Missouri stake presidency. An eye-witness to the most important events of the Restoration, his unflagging honesty lends unusual significance to his work.

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