License for John Whitmer, 9 June 1830

  • A License Liberty Power & Authority

    Given to John Whitmer signifying & proveing that he is  an Apostle of Jesus Christ an Elder of this Church of Christ estab lished & regularly organized in these last days AD, 1830 on the 6th  day of April All of which has been done by the will of God the Father  according to his holy calling & the gift & power of the Holy Ghost  agreeable to the revelations of Jesus Christ given to Joseph Smith jun  the first Elder of the Church Signifying that he has been baptized &  received into the Church according to the Articles & Covenants of the  Church & ordained under the hand of Joseph Smith Jun. <who is an  Apostle of our Lord>

    Singned by(Joseph Smith Jr first Elder
    (Oliver Cowdery second Elder

    Given to the Bearer in Confrence held in  Fayette Seneca County NY June 9th 1830 [p. [1]]

The newly founded Church of Christ followed the standard nineteenth-century Christian church practice of issuing certificates and licenses as public proclamations of affiliation and ordination. Among the earliest converts to Mormonism, John Whitmer was one of a number who received licenses to represent the church.

Oliver Cowdery drafted this license, designated “A License Liberty Power & Authority” at Fayette Township, New York, for John Whitmer on 9 June 1830, at the time of the church’s first conference. It was signed by JS and Cowdery who served as first and second elders of the church. The license identified Whitmer as both an apostle and an elder.

Facts

Editorial Title
License for John Whitmer, 9 June 1830
ID #
34