Oliver Cowdery
Oliver H. P. Cowdery (October 3, 1806 – March 3, 1850) was an American religious leader who, with Joseph Smith, was an important participant in the formative period of the Latter Day Saint movement between 1829 and 1836. He was the first baptized Latter Day Saint, one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon's golden plates, one of the first Latter Day Saint apostles and the Assistant President of the Church.
| Oliver Cowdery | |
|---|---|
Daguerreotype of Oliver Cowdery found in the Library of Congress, taken in the 1840s by James Presley Ball | |
| Assistant Counselor in the First Presidency | |
| September 3, 1837 – April 11, 1838 | |
| End reason | Resignation / Excommunication |
| Assistant President of the Church | |
| December 5, 1834 – April 11, 1838 | |
| End reason | Resignation / Excommunication |
| Second Elder of the Church | |
| April 6, 1830 – December 5, 1834 | |
| End reason | Called as Assistant President of the Church |
| Latter Day Saint Apostle | |
| 1829 (aged 22) – April 12, 1838 | |
| Reason | Restoration of priesthood |
| End reason | Resignation / Excommunication |
| Reorganization at end of term | No apostles immediately ordained |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Oliver H. P. Cowdery October 3, 1806 Wells, Vermont, U.S. |
| Died | March 3, 1850 (aged 43) Richmond, Missouri, U.S. |
| Resting place | Richmond Pioneer Cemetery, Missouri, U.S. 39°17′6.76″N 93°58′34.93″W |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Ann Whitmer |
| Children | 6 |
| Signature | |
In 1838, as Assistant President of the Church, Cowdery resigned and was excommunicated on charges of denying the faith. He had claimed that Smith had been engaging in a sexual relationship with Fanny Alger, a teenage servant in his home. Cowdery became a Methodist, but was rebaptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in 1848.