rpn Posted August 27, 2017 Posted August 27, 2017 I cannot seem to find a copy, though it says in several footnotes that it is in Far West Book A. Anyone know where to find it. 2-- In Richard Lloyd Anderson's book Investigating the Witnesses (admittedly published in 1981, but recently recommended on this or another similar site as definitive work on the Witness) we read: Quote Personally hurt in his relationship with Joseph Smith, he allied himself with his Whitmer relatives in serious differences with the Church as it was gathering in Caldwell County, Missouri. The Whitmers were in local leadership and also involved in land promotion that might be considered either private enterprise or--- as interpreted by Missouri members--- the exploitation of the Saints. Oliver sided with this family as he attempted to build up his personal fortune through beginning legal work. Six of nine charges against him involved his economic affairs, and his part in filing collection suits was specifically named. This Book of Mormon witness penned a spirited letter of resignation, in which he defined his controversy with leaders not in terms of basic beliefs, but only "the outward government of ths Church...." The Church History, volume 3 pg 18 https://byustudies.byu.edu/content/volume-3-chapter-2 says as follows: Quote Wednesday, April 11,—Elder Seymour Brunson preferred the following charges against Oliver Cowdery, to the High Council at Far West: 1 To the Bishop and Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I prefer the following charges against President Oliver Cowdery. "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. rejected "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. rejected "Fifth—For selling his lands in Jackson county, contrary to the revelations. withdrawn "Sixth—For writing and sending an insulting letter to President Thomas B. Marsh, while the latter was on the High Council, attending to the duties of his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." Trial of Oliver Cowdery. 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 recorded 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. 2 Also voted by the High Council that Oliver Cowdery be no longer a committee to select locations for the gathering of the Saints. It is hard to tell a complete picture if you just know about Cowdrey's mention of fanny alger in a letter to his brother. Seems to me that you have to read his resignation letter (and know whether he had actual knowledge of the things he was accused of doing, when he wrote it) in order to have a full picture. My other question is whether you think that the Richard Lloyd Anderson book should be recommended any longer when it doesn't mention the fact that he was accused of defaming Jospeh Smith and what that defamation consisted of? What say you?
ALarson Posted August 27, 2017 Posted August 27, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, rpn said: I cannot seem to find a copy, though it says in several footnotes that it is in Far West Book A. Anyone know where to find it. Here's a footnote from the Ensign regarding the letter: Quote 9. History of the Church, 3:18, passage reproduced from the Far West Record. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1987/04/i-have-a-question?lang=eng#footnote9-03212_000_008 Here's a page with Oliver's letters (I haven't read through them, so I don't know if his resignation letter is there....): http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/Letters-cowdery.html Edited August 27, 2017 by ALarson 1
mapman Posted August 27, 2017 Posted August 27, 2017 I'm not sure if this is "Far West Book A," but the letter can be found here: http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/minute-book-2/122. 1
rpn Posted August 27, 2017 Author Posted August 27, 2017 Thank you. In reading Cowdrey's letter it appears he resigned because he didn't like the ecclesiastical authority claimed over his temporal affairs. He didn't address at all the second charge of accusing JS of adultery. And he specifically said he was contesting the way the church was governed, not anything else. I guess in any full way to telling this story, you'd have to include that was one of the charges, that he didn't argue against it, but that he essentially said he didn't want to associate with a church that sought to control his private property, so it doesn't appear that that charge was why he wasn't a church member any more or why he didn't want to be one.
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