Oliver Cowdery

[Reid]

Oliver Cowdery was the Church’s second Elder, often called the “Second President.” The early day companion of Joseph Smith, he was scribe for the Book of Mormon, present at the "Restoration of the Priesthood,’ and as close to the real truth as any man.

However, in 1838 in Kirtland, Oliver confronted Joseph Smith with the charge of adultery with Fanny Alger, and with lying and teaching false doctrines. Joseph Smith denied this and charged Cowdery with being a liar. Church records now show Miss Alger was Smith’s first “spiritual wife.” Oliver was telling the truth!

Cowdery was excommunicated for this and other “crimes.” Later, as a Methodist, he denied the Book of Mormon and publicly confessed his sorrow and shame for his connection with Mormonism.

While the Mormon church claims he rejoined them in the fall of 1848, they also accused him later that year, with trying to eraise up the Kingdom again’ with the Apostate, William E. McLellin.

Oliver Cowdery was publicly charged by Joseph Smith and leading Mormons with stealing, lying, perjury, counterfeiting, adultery, and being the leader of a gang of “scoundrels of the deepest degree!”

 

[Paul_G]

Reid:

While the Mormon church claims he rejoined them in the fall of 1848, they also accused him later that year, with trying to eraise up the Kingdom again’ with the Apostate, William E. McLellin.

Please offer church records of these accusations you mention here

Here is the record of our claim.

Brother Cowdery 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.” Brother George W. Harris, president of the Council, moved that Brother Cowdery be received. Considerable discussion took place in relation to a certain letter which, it was alleged, Brother Cowdery had written to David Whitmer. Brother Cowdery again rose and said: “If there be any person that has aught against me, let him declare it. My coming back and humbly asking to become a member through the door, covers the whole ground. I acknowledge this authority.” Brother Hyde moved that Brother Oliver Cowdery be recieved into the Church by baptism, and that all old things be dropped and forgotten, which was seconded and carried unanimously. Soon afterwards he was re-baptized. (LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol.1, Pg.246 COWDERY, Oliver)……

….Oliver Cowdery died March 3, 1850, at Richmond, Ray county, Mo. Elder Phineas H. Young, who was present at his death, says: “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.” Oliver Cowdery’s half-sister, Lucy P. Young a widow of the late Phineas H. Young, relates that Oliver Cowdery just before breathing his last, asked his attendants to raise him up in bed, that he might talk to the family and his friends, who were present. He then told them to live according to the teachings contained in the Book of Mormon, and promised them, if they would do this, that they would meet him in heaven.
LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol.1, Pg.246 COWDERY, Oliver

 

[alterserver_07]

I have heard that Oliver Cowdery was excommunicated for walking in on JS with another woman, then he called JS a fallen prophet. Also with Oliver Cowdery, JS wife walked in on him too. She left the mormon church for a while, but had nowhere to go, so she went back. After they caught him, he had a new revalation that you had to have plural wives to get to heaven. Kinda funny hu.

 

[Paul_G]

alterserver_07:

I have heard that Oliver Cowdery was excommunicated for walking in on JS with another woman, then he called JS a fallen prophet. Also with Oliver Cowdery, JS wife walked in on him too. She left the mormon church for a while, but had nowhere to go, so she went back. After they caught him, he had a new revalation that you had to have plural wives to get to heaven. Kinda funny hu.

Juicy story, just the kind the national inquirer is looking for. They are easy to write when one is not worried about Gods commandments. Like the one about telling lies.

 

[stillsearching]

Paul G:

Juicy story, just the kind the national inquirer is looking for. They are easy to write when one is not worried about Gods commandments. Like the one about telling lies.

Just a little humiliating to women and debasing of the human being. Something one would expect out of the National Inquirer. Couldn’t happen though if JS’s religion didn’t denigrate women and debase human beings, now could it? Just as in Catholicism. When our priest molested children it was front page Enquirer news. And it was the truth. When JS and BY and OC denigrate, abuse and humiliate women, it’s a holy act according to you, is it?

 

[Paul_G]

stillsearching:

Just a little humiliating to women and debasing of the human being. Something one would expect out of the National Inquirer. Couldn’t happen though if JS’s religion didn’t denigrate women and debase human beings, now could it? Just as in Catholicism. When our priest molested children it was front page Enquirer news. And it was the truth. When JS and BY and OC denigrate, abuse and humiliate women, it’s a holy act according to you, is it?

Give a reference for you claim, then we can talk about it. Until then it is just speculation.

 

[majick275]

charges against Oliver Cowdery (from history of the church vol. 3)

First–For persecuting the brethren by urging on vexatious law suits against them, and thus distressing the innocent.

Second–For seeking to destroy the character of President Joseph Smith, Jun., by falsely insinuating that he was guilty of adultery.

Third–For treating the Church with contempt by not attending meetings.

Fourth–For virtually denying the faith by declaring that he would not be governed by any ecclesiastical authority or revelations whatever, in his temporal affairs.

Fifth–For selling his lands in Jackson county, contrary to the revelations.

Sixth–For writing and sending an insulting letter to President Thomas B. Marsh, while the latter was on the High Council, attending to the duties of his office as President of the Council, and by insulting the High Council with the contents of said letter.

Seventh–For leaving his calling to which God had appointed him by revelation, for the sake of filthy lucre, and turning to the practice of law.

Eighth–For disgracing the Church by being connected in the bogus business, as common report says.

Ninth–For dishonestly retaining notes after they had been paid; and finally, for leaving and forsaking the cause of God, and returning to the beggarly elements of the world, and neglecting his high and holy calling, according to his profession.

The Bishop and High Council assembled at the Bishop’s office, April 12, 1838. After the organization of the Council, the above charges of the 11th instant were read, also a letter from Oliver Cowdery, as will be found record in the Church record of the city of Far West, Book A. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, and 9th charges were sustained. The 4th and 5th charges were rejected, and the 6th was withdrawn. Consequently he (Oliver Cowdery) was considered no longer a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Also voted by the High Council that Oliver Cowdery be no longer a committee to select locations for the gathering of the Saints.

 

[majick275]

Oliver cowdery’s response letter.

Far West, Missouri, April 12, 1838

Dear Sir: (Rev. Edward Partridge, Bishop of the Church of Latter-day Saints)

I received your note of the 9th inst., on the day of its date, containing a copy of nine charges preferred before yourself and Council against me, by Elder Seymour Brunson.

I could have wished that those charges might have been deferred until after my interview with President Smith; but as they are not, I must waive the anticipated pleasure, with which I had flattered myself, of an understanding on those points, which are grounds of different opinions on some church regulations, and others which personally interest myself.

The fifth charge reads as follows: ‘For selling his lands in Jackson County,’ I acknowledge to be true, and believe that a large majority of this Church have already spent their judgement on that act, and pronounced it sufficient to warrant a disfellowship; and also that you have concurred its correctness, consequently, have no good reason for supposing you would give any decision contrary.

Now, sir, the lands in our country are allodial in the strictest construction of that term, and have not the least shadow of fuedal tenures attached to them, consequentaly, they may be disposed of by deeds of conveyence without the consent or even approbation of a superior.

The fourth charge is in the following words, ‘For virtually denying the faith by declaring that he would not be governed by any ecclesiastical authority nor revelation whatever in his temporal affairs.’

With regard to this I think I am warranted in saying, the judgement is also passed, as on the matter of the fifth charge, consequently, I have no disposition to contend with the Council; this charge covers simply the doctrine of the fifth, and if I were to be controlled by other than my own judgement, in a compulsory manner, in my temporal interests, of course, could not buy or sell without the consent of some real or supposed authority. Whether that clause contains the precise words, I am not certain - I think however they were these: ‘I will not be influenced, governed, or controlled in my temporal interests by any ecclesiastical authority or pretended revelation whatever, contrary to my own judgement.’

Such being still my opinion, shall only remark that the three great principles of English liberty, as laid down in the books, are “the right of personal security, the right of personal liberty, and the right of private property.” My venerable ancestor was among the little band, who landed on the rocks of Plymouth in 1620 - with him he brought those maxims, and a body of those laws which were the result and experience of many centuries, on the basis of which now stands our great and happy government; and they are so interwoven in my nature, have so long been inculcated into my mind by a liberal and intelligent ancestry that I am wholly unwilling to exchange them for anything less liberal, less benevolent, or less free.

The very principle of which I conceive to be couched in an attempt to set up a kind of petty government, controlled and dictated by ecclesiastical influence, in the midst of this national and state government. You will, no doubt, say this is not correct; but the bare notice of these charges, over which you assume the right to decide, is, in my opinion, a direct attempt to make the secular power subservient to Church direction - to the correctness of which I cannot in conscience subscribe - I believe the principle never did fail to produce anarchy and confusion.

This attempt to control me in my temporal interests, I conceive to be a disposition to take from me a portion of my Constitutional privileges and inherent right - I only, respectfully, ask leave, therefore, to withdraw from a society assuming they have such right.

So far as relates to the other seven charges, I shall lay them carefully away, and take such a course with regard to them, as I may feel bound by my honor, to answer to my rising posterity.

I beg you, sir, to take no view of the foregoing remarks, other than my belief in the outward government of this Church. I do not charge you, or any other person, who differs with me on these points, of not being sincere; but such a difference does exist, which I sincerely regret.

With considerations of the highest respect, I am, your obedient servent,

OLIVER COWDERY

 

[majick275]

I don’t know if that helps, but that is about all I could find from “mutually agreeable sources.”