Oliver Cowdery:The Elusive Second Elder of the Restoration

That seems like it would be an interesting read. I’ve had interest lately to read the perspectives of people, especially those like Oliver, that were key figures but a little more removed from the mythology (the second tier characters in the stories of our foundation).

Yes, he was excommunicated in 1838, and rebaptized in, I think, 1848 in Winter Quarters. Here are the charges against him. I think I might be guilty of some of them:

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.

I always thought he was an annoying twit, but I suppose that’s because of how he’s portrayed in church films. Not sure where else I would have got that from.

The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, and 9th charges were sustained. The 4th and 5th charges were rejected, and the 6th was withdrawn.

So much was going on at the time, it’s hard to know which of these charges had any basis in fact, and which were politically motivated. Oliver did not attend his disciplinary action, but responded to the charges in a letter. It’s clear he felt he was justified in what he did or didn’t do.

It sounds like he was fixated on his temporal wealth …

For whatever it’s worth, he donated a sizable sum to the building of the KIrtland temple at a time when he was struggling financially. More likely, Oliver was fixated on the personal liberties so recently codified in the constitution, and in particular on a rigid separation of ecclesiastical and civil authority. I think he also displayed some passive-aggressive tendencies … another reason I like him.

I always like Oliver for the fact that he was the second Elder of this dispensation and that he was trying to temporally improve himself, like we are admonished to by the brethren; to get more education and to better ourselves financially so we can serve better in the kingdom. One thing I will always admire about him is the fact that he did come back. Oliver’s attitude gives me the strength to continue on even though times get rough.