DIRECT EXTERNAL EVIDENCES--THE THREE WITNESSES--SUBSEQUENT LIFE AND
TESTIMONIES.
OLIVER COWDERY.
The Witnesses themselves always adhered to the truth of their
testimony. They never denied what they in their now celebrated
testimony so solemnly affirmed. It was reported at different times
during their life time that they had denied their testimony, and
such statements are to be found in the earlier editions of such
standard works as the _American Encyclopedia_ and in the _Encyclopedia
Britannica_. It is evident that the reports about Oliver Cowdery
denying his testimony obtained some credence even among the Saints at
Nauvoo; for in the _Times and Seasons_, published by the Church at
Nauvoo, one J. H. Johnson, in some verses written by him maintaining
the fact that the truth stands fast though men may be untrue to it,
says:
--Or prove that Christ was not the Lord
Because that Peter cursed and swore,
Or Book of Mormon not his word,
Because denied by Oliver. [1]
But notwithstanding all this, the fact remains that Oliver Cowdery
never denied his testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon. Whatever
his delinquencies in other respects; whatever his grievances, real or
imagined; in the Church, and even while out of it, he was true, to his
honor be it said, to his testimony to the Book of Mormon. Living he
affirmed it, and when dying he renewed the affirmation. It must be said
of him that notwithstanding the high favors which God granted him--the
favor of being one of these Three Special Witnesses, blessed to see the
Nephite plates and the sacred things connected with them under such a
remarkable display of God's presence and power; favored to receive with
the Prophet the ministration of angels who ordained them both to the
Aaronic and to the Melchizedek priesthood; [2] and favored afterwards
to behold in open vision in the Kirtland Temple the Savior himself,
and a number of angels who came on that occasion to restore to earth
through these men the keys of authority and power which they held; [3]
favored to be the Second Elder of the Church of Christ, and the first
to make public proclamation of the restored gospel--notwithstanding
all this, I repeat, it must be said of him that he possessed defects
of character [4] which enabled the adversary of men's souls to so far
prevail against him that he transgressed some of the laws of God and
lost his high station. He was excommunicated from the Church for his
sins, [5] and for a time stood as a stranger to the Saints, an outcast
from Israel; but in those dark days he still remained true to his
testimony.
In October, 1848, after an absence of about eleven years, Oliver
Cowdery returned to the Church. At that time the movement of the Church
to the Rocky Mountains was under way. A large number of the Saints
were temporarily located at Kanesville (now Council Bluffs), Iowa, and
on the 21st of October of the year above given, a special conference
was called, presided over by Elder Orson Hyde, of the Council of the
Apostles, in which the case of Oliver Cowdery was considered. Before
that conference, at which some two thousand Saints were present, [6]
Oliver Cowdery said:
Friends and Brethren--My name is Cowdery, Oliver Cowdery. In the
early history of this Church I stood identified with her, and one
in her councils. True it is that the gifts and callings of God
are without repentance; not because I was better than the rest of
mankind was I called; but, to fulfil the purposes of God, he called
me to a high and holy calling.
I wrote, with my own pen, the entire Book of Mormon (save a
few pages) as it fell from the lips of the Prophet Joseph, as
he translated it by the gift and power of God, by the means of
the Urim and Thummim, or, as it is called by the book, "Holy
Interpreters." I beheld with my eyes, and handled with my hands,
the gold plates from which it was transcribed. I also saw with
my eyes and handled with my hands the "holy interpreters." That
book is true. Sidney Rigdon did not write it. Mr. Spaulding did
not write it. I wrote it myself as it fell from the lips of the
Prophet. It contains the everlasting gospel, and came forth to the
children of men in fulfilment of the revelations of John, where he
says he saw an angel come with the everlasting gospel to preach to
every nation, kindred, tongue and people. It contains principles of
salvation; and if you, my hearers, will walk by its light and obey
its precepts, you will be saved with an everlasting salvation in
the kingdom of God on high. Brother Hyde has just said that it is
very important that we keep and walk in the true channel, in order
to avoid the sand-bars. This is true. The channel is here. The holy
priesthood is here.
I was present with Joseph when an holy angel from God came down
from heaven and conferred on us, or restored the Lesser or Aaronic
priesthood, and said to us, at the same time, that it should remain
upon the earth while the earth stands.
I was also present with Joseph when the higher or Melchizedek
priesthood was conferred by holy angels from on high. This
priesthood we conferred on each other, by the will and commandment
of God. This priesthood, as was then declared, is also to
remain upon the earth until the last remnant of time. This holy
priesthood, or authority, we then conferred upon many, and is just
as good and valid as though God had done it in person.
I laid my hands upon that man--yes, I laid my right hand upon his
head (pointing to Brother Hyde), and I conferred upon him the
priesthood, and he holds that priesthood now. He was also called
through me, by the prayer of faith, an Apostle of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
This speech was reported by Bishop Reuben Miller, who was present at
the meeting where Cowdery spoke, and noted down in his journal at the
time what was said, though his notes, it must be remarked, were not
published until several years later. [7] The circumstance of Cowdery's
return and the spirit of his speech is also supported by other
testimony. In a letter dated at Cambridge Port, U. S. A., December 26,
1848, Wilford Woodruff--at the time one of the Twelve Apostles, and
subsequently President of the Church--writing to Orson Pratt, then
president of the British Mission, said:
Dear Brother Pratt--I received a letter from Elder Hyde saying that
Oliver Cowdery had come to the Bluffs with his family; and made
satisfaction to the Church who had voted to receive him into the
Church by baptism; and Elder Hyde expected to baptize him the next
day. He was assisting Elder Hyde to put the press in operation for
printing, expected to send forth the "Frontier Guardian" soon. I
was truly glad to hear this, as Oliver Cowdery was the first person
baptized into this Church under the hands of Joseph, and is capable
of doing good in the kingdom of God; I was truly glad to hear he
had returned to the fold. [8]
The Star which published this letter was issued February 1, 1849.
George A. Smith, writing from Council Bluffs, under date of October
31st, 1848, ten days after Cowdery's speech before the conference,
writes to Orson Pratt of this meeting:
Oliver Cowdery, who had just arrived from Wisconsin with his
family, on being invited, addressed the meeting. He bore testimony
in the most positive terms of the truth of the Book of Mormon--the
restoration of the priesthood to the earth, and the mission
of Joseph Smith as the Prophet of the last days; and told the
people if they wanted to follow the right path, to keep the main
channel of the stream--where the body of the Church goes, there
is the authority; and all these lo here's and lo there's have no
authority; but this people have the true and holy priesthood; "for
the angel said unto Joseph Smith, Jr., in my hearing, that this
priesthood shall remain on the earth unto the end." His testimony
produced quite a sensation among the gentlemen present, who did
not belong to the Church, and it was gratefully received, by all
the Saints. Last evening (Oct. 30th), President Hyde and myself
spent the evening with Brother Cowdery. He had been cut off from
the Church by a council; had withdrawn himself from it; stayed away
eleven years; and now came back, not expecting to be a leader, but
wished to be a member and have part among us. He considered that he
ought to be baptized; and did not expect to return without it. He
said that Joseph Smith had fulfilled his mission faithfully before
God until death; he was determined to rise with the Church, and if
it went down he was willing to go down with it. I saw him today,
told him I was going to write to you. He sends his respects to you;
he says, "tell Brother Orson I am advised by the brethren to remain
here this winter, and assist Brother Hyde in the printing office,
and as soon as I get settled I will write him a letter." I remain,
as ever, your brother in the kingdom of patience.
(Signed) GEORGE A. SMITH. [9]
The "Star" in which this letter was published was issued January 1st,
1849, a little more than two months after Cowdery's speech already
quoted.
Oliver Cowdery had been excommunicated by the action of a High Council
of the Church some ten years before, and it was held by some that he
could only be restored by the action of a High Council. [10]
Such a council was therefore called. In the course of its proceedings
Oliver said:
Brethren, for a number of years I have been separated from you. I
now desire to come back. I wish to come humbly and to be one in
your midst. I seek no station. I only wish to be identified with
you. I am out of the Church. I am not a member of the Church, but
I wish to become a member of it. I wish to come in at the door.
I know the door. I have not come here to seek precedence, I come
humbly, and throw myself upon the decisions of this body, knowing,
as I do, that its decisions are right, and should be obeyed. [11]
On motion of Elder Orson Hyde, Oliver Cowdery was received into the
Church by baptism. It was the intention of this Witness of the Book of
Mormon to go with the body of the Church to the Salt Lake Valley, but
while visiting with his fellow witness, David Whitmer, at Richmond,
Missouri, he was taken ill and died, March 3, 1850. Previous to going
to Richmond, for the purpose of meeting David Whitmer, his wife's
brother, Oliver was detained by snow storms some two weeks at the
temporary home of Samuel W. Richards--just then returned from his first
mission to the British Isles.
Of his interesting association with Oliver, during this time, Elder
Richards says:
To hear him describe in his pleasant but earnest manner the
personality of those heavenly messengers, with whom he and the
Prophet had so freely had converse, was enchanting to my soul.
Their heavenly appearance, clothed in robes of purity, the
influence of their presence so lovely and serene; their eyes that
seemed to penetrate to the very depths of the soul, together with
the color of the eyes that gazed upon them, were all so beautifully
related as to almost make one feel that they were then present: and
as I placed my hands upon his head where these angels had placed
theirs, a divine influence filled the soul to that degree that
one could truly feel to be in the presence of something that was
more than earthly; and from that day to this--almost fifty years
ago--the interest of those glorious truths upon the mind has never
been lost, but as a beacon light ever guiding to the home of their
glory for a like inheritance.
But before taking his departure he wrote and left with the
writer of this the following statement, which we believe to be
his last living testimony, though oft repeated, of the wonderful
manifestations which brought the authority of God to men on earth:
TESTIMONY
While darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the people;
long after the authority to administer in holy things had been
taken away, the Lord opened the heavens and sent forth his word for
the salvation of Israel. In fulfilment of the sacred scriptures,
the everlasting gospel was proclaimed by the mighty angel (Moroni)
who, clothed with the authority of his mission, gave glory to God
in the highest. This gospel is the "stone taken from the mountain
without hands." John the Baptist, holding the keys of the Aaronic
priesthood; Peter, James, and John, holding the keys of the
Melchizedek priesthood, have also ministered for those who shall be
heirs of salvation, and with these administrations ordained men to
the same priesthood. These priesthoods, with their authority, are
now, and must continue to be, in the body of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. Blessed is the elder who has received
the same, and thrice blessed and holy is he who shall endure to the
end.
Accept assurances, dear brother, of the unfeigned prayer of him
who, in connection with Joseph the Seer, was blessed with the above
ministration and who earnestly and devoutly hopes to meet you in
the celestial glory.
(Signed) OLIVER COWDERY.
To Elder Samuel W. Richards, January 13th, 1849.
Phineas H. Young, a brother of President Brigham Young, was present at
Oliver's death, at Richmond, Missouri, and of that event said:
His last moments were spent in bearing testimony of the truth of
the gospel revealed through Joseph Smith, and the power of the holy
priesthood which he had received through his administrations.
David Whitmer, speaking to Orson Pratt and Joseph F. Smith, of Oliver
Cowdery's death, said:
Oliver Cowdery died the happiest man I ever saw. After shaking
hands with the family and kissing his wife and daughter, he said,
"Now I lay me down for the last time; I am going to my Savior;" and
he died immediately, with a smile on his face. [12]
This statement also agrees with the one David Whitmer published in his
"Address to all Believers in Christ:"
Neither Oliver Cowdery nor Martin Harris ever at any time denied
his testimony. They both died reaffirming the truth of the divine
authenticity of the Book of Mormon. I was present at the death bed
of Oliver Cowdery, and his last words were, "Brother David, be true
to your testimony to the Book of Mormon." He died here in Richmond,
Missouri, on the 3rd of March, 1850. Many witnesses yet live [13]
in Richmond, who will testify to the truth of these facts, as well
as to the good character of Oliver Cowdery. [14]
Footnotes
1. _Times and Seasons_, vol. II, p. 482.
2. See _New Witnesses for God_, vol. I, ch. 11.
3. See _New Witnesses for God_, vol. I, ch. 11; also Doc. and Cov.,
sec. 110.
4. That the Prophet Joseph understood the defects in the character of
Oliver Cowdery is evident from some remarks he records in his journal
concerning him, under date of December 18, 1833. They are as follows:
"Blessed of the Lord is brother Oliver, nevertheless there are two
evils in him that he must needs forsake or he cannot altogether escape
the buffetings of the adversary. If he forsake these evils he shall
be forgiven, and shall be made like unto the bow which the Lord hath
set in the heavens; he shall be a sign and an ensign unto the nations.
Behold he is blessed of the Lord for his constancy and steadfastness in
the work of the Lord; wherefore, he shall be blessed in his generation,
and they shall never be cut off, and he shall be helped out of many
troubles; and if he keep the commandments, and hearken unto the counsel
of the Lord, his rest shall be glorious." (History of the Church,
vol. I, p. 465). It will be observed that the promises herein made to
Oliver Cowdery are based upon the conditions specified in the above
passage. That the conditions were not at least altogether complied with
is well known, and is further witnessed by the fact that Oliver did not
escape the buffetings to which the Prophet alludes. Still from out of
this mist of human frailty, stands clear and strong the virtue which
constituted him so dauntless a witness for the truth of God. "Behold he
is blessed of the Lord for his constancy and steadfastness in the work
of the Lord." Still he lost his station in the Church, and that which
had been conferred upon him was finally given to Hyrum Smith, brother
of the Prophet. See Doc. and Cov. 124:95.
5. _Millennial Star_, vol. 16, p. 133.
6. _Millennial Star_, vol. 11, p. 14.
7. Namely, 13th of April, 1859. See _Deseret News_ of that date.
8. _Millennial Star_, vol. 11, p. 43.
9. _Millennial Star_, vol. 11, p. 14.
10. Fearing that silence as to the specific offenses of Oliver Cowdery
might leave the reader to fancy that his wrong doing was more serious
than it really was, I here state the charges against him sustained
before the High Council at Far West, in 1838: 1st. "Persecuting the
brethren by urging on vexatious law suits against them, and thus
distressing the innocent. 2nd. Seeking to destroy the character of
Joseph Smith, Jr., by falsely insinuating that he was guilty of
adultery. 3rd. Treating the Church with contempt by not attending
meetings. 4th. Leaving his calling, to which God had appointed him by
revelation, for the sake of filthy lucre, and turning to the practice
of law. 5th. Disgracing the Church by being connected in the 'bogus'
business, as common report says." (See _Millennial Star_, vol. 16, p.
133; also _Missouri Persecutions_, p. 179.) It should be observed that
upper Missouri in 1838 was infested with a gang of sharpers engaged
in counterfeiting the United States currency, and rumor, for a time,
connected Oliver Cowdery with them: but whether he was, or was not,
guilty of such connection was not proven before the council, it was
merely proven that "rumors" connected him with those criminals. It
should also be said that Oliver Cowdery was not present at the council
which acted on his case; though of course an opportunity was given him
to be present. How many of the charges brought against him would have
failed had he been there to oppose them, one may not conjecture. It
was a general time of turbulence in the affairs of the Church. A wave
of wild land speculation swept through the country, and the Saints and
some leading elders became entangled in it. Charges and counter charges
were made; brethren misunderstood one another and became estranged in
their feelings, and pride and bitterness prevented reconciliations. It
was under such circumstances that Oliver Cowdery for a time was lost in
the mists.
11. _Deseret News_ of April 13, 1859.
12. _Millennial Star_, vol. 40, p. 774, Pratt and Smith statement.
13. This was said in 1887.
14. Address _To All Believers in Christ_, p. 8.