John Whitmer was appointed Church Historian in March 1831, succeeding Oliver Cowdery's brief tenure. To fulfill his responsibility to "write and keep a regular history," Whitmer periodically noted important events that transpired in the life of the Church. It is clear from reading his available manuscript today, that he later worked from important documents at his disposal and his earlier notes to construct a chronological narrative. While, his account provides a useful reporting of significant events during his tenure, he provides but little interpretation, occasionally making brief mention of his own impressions and the personal impact of events.
Whitmer continued serving as Church Historian until administrative and interpersonal tensions developed among key administrators in 1838. At that point, events forced Whitmer and his family from Church fellowship. Under these circumstances Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon requested John Whitmer to turn his manuscript history over to them.
On April 9, 1838, Joseph, Sidney, and E. Robinson write John,
"Sir. We were desireous [sic] of honouring [sic] you by giving publicity to your notes on the history of the Church of Latter day Saints, after such corrections as we thought would be necessary; knowing your incompetency [sic] as a historian, and that your writings coming from your pen, could not be put to the press, without our correcting them, or else the Church must suffer reproach; Indeed Sir, we never supposed you capable of writing a history; but were willing to let it come out under your name notwithstanding it would realy [sic] not be yours but ours. We are still willing to honour [sic] you, if you can be made to know your own interest and give up your notes, so that they can be corrected, and made fit for the press. But if not, we have all the materials for another, which we shall commence this week to write." [Joseph Smith Papers, 2:226–227.]
But, John Whitmer declined this request. The manuscript remained in his hands until near his death, when it passed into the care of David Whitmer. John Whitmer's manuscript history passed into the possession of the RLDS Church [now known as the Community of Christ] in 1903, along with other valuable records that had been preserved by the Whitmer Family. This content has been made widely available though the years by the Community of Christ for scholarly use.
John Whitmer
[The Book of John Whitmer, Kept by Commandment] Chapter 19.
... And it came to pass that E. Partridge, Isaac Morley, John Corrill, and W. W. Phelps left Kirtland to fill their mission in Mo. where they had left their families.
They arrived in Mo. in safety. But as soon as these men arrived at home the Devil roared in this land and stirred the old Jackson Co. Mob up to great anger, and the People in Clay Co. The afore mentioned brethren went in search of a place where the church could settle in peace and found a country North of Ray Co. that would answer the purpose, providing the few scattered inhabitants that resided there were willing for the brethren to move there and enjoy their religion and constitutional rights, as well as the Counties round about.
This move gave great uneasiness and the people of Clay Co. convened and some were determined to drive the brethren from the state others were opposed, and finally we succeeded to get the consent of the people of Clay Co. and a majority of Ray to move into, this [place] Now Caldwell Co.
Therefore commenced settling this place Far West in the summer of 1836, in August the first building was erected. [page 85]
Some difficulties arose in the land of Kirtland and dissensions took place which is to be feared will end in the misery of some precious souls.
Some difficulties have taken place in this County Caldwell but are now all settled to the satisfaction of all parties as I believe
T. B. Marsh & D. W. Patton have left for Kirtland Ohio, to fill a mission in their apostolic capacity.
In the fall of 1838 [sic 1837] Joseph Smith Jr. [and] Sidney Rigdon came to Zion, on a visit - to prepare a place for themselves and families…. [page 86]
[The Book of John Whitmer] Chapter 20, 1837.
In the fall of 1836, Joseph Smith, Jr. S. Rigdon & others of the Leaders of the church at Kirtland Ohio, Established a bank for the purpose of Speculation and the whole church partook of the same Spirit, they were lifted up in pride, and lusted after the forbidden things of God such as covetousness, & in secret combinations, spiritual wife doctrine, that is plurality of wives, and gadianton bands in which they were bound with oaths &c. that brought division and mistrust among those who were pure in heart, and desired the upbuilding of the Kingdom of God -
J. Smith Jr. & Rigdon & Hiram Smith moved their families to this place Far West, in the Spring of 1838. As soon as they came here they began to enforce their new organized plan in force which caused dissensions and difficulties, threatenings and even murders Smith called a council of the leaders together in which council he Stated that any person who said a word against the heads of the church should be driven over these prairies as a chased deer by a pack of hounds, having an allusian [sic] to the gideonites as they were termed to Justify themselves, in their wicked designes [sic] Thus on the 19th of June 1838 they preached a sermon called the Salt sermon in which these gideonites understood that they should drive the dissenters as they termed those who believed not [page 87] in their secret bands in fornication adultery or midnight machinations. Therefore they commenced suing at the law of the land by attachment for debts which they knew were paid and Justly paid, according to the laws of God and the Land. & thus foreswore themselves in these things J. Smith S. Rigdon & Hiram Smith were the instigators & G. W. Robinson the prosecutor - against David Whitmer, L. E. Johnson O. Cowdery, F. G. Williams W. W. Phelps and myself - they had threatened us to kill us if we did not make restitutions to them, by upholding them in their wicked purposes and designs, after they had instituted the foregoing suits O. Cowdery D. Whitmer L. E. Johnson & myself went to Clay Co. to obtain legal council to prepare to overthrow these attachments which they had caused to be sued against us which we were abundantly able to do by good and substantial witnesses
But to our great astonishment when we were on our way home from Liberty Clay Co. we met the families of O. Cowdery & L. S [sic?]. Johnson whom they had driven from their homes and robbed them of all their goods save clothing & bedding &c.
While we were gone Jo[seph]. & Rigdon & their band of gadeantons kept up a guard and watched our houses and abused our families and threatened them if they were not gone by morning they would be drove out & threatened our lives if they ever saw us in Far West. [page 88]
… The situation of the church… is in an unpleasant situation in consequence of the reorganization of its authorities, which was not satisfactory to all concerned. And has terminated in the expulsion of some members, as also some temporal movements, have not proved satisfactory to all parties has also terminated in the expulsion of members among whom is W. W. Phelps and myself. [inserted from end of page 86]….
… After they had driven us and our families they commenced a difficulty in Daviess Co. adjoining this Co. in which they began to rob and burn houses &c &c. took honey which they (the Mormons) called Sweet oil & hogs which they called bear, and Cattle which they called Buffalo. thus they would Justify themselves by saying we are the people of God and all things are Gods, therefore they are ours, the old inhabitants were not slack in paying them in their own coin Thus war and bloodshed commenced and the result was the Church was driven from this land the pure in heart and innocent as well as the more wicked save a few dissenters who were left here to fulfill some of the former commandments.
Now, before the Church left J. Smith Jr S. Rigdon H. Smith P. P. Pratt Lyman Wight & Amasa Lyman were delivered up to General Lucas & General Clark & the rest of the officers of the Government which were ordered out by the governor of this state to stop the difficulties between the citizens & Mormons - Smith & those others were tried by those officers for treason &c. but found that they were not legally authorized to execute them after having found them guilty of many breaches of the law of the Land, they put them in the hand of Sivel [civil] officers of the government to be tried by law of the land. [page 89] And were committed to jail but before the trial came on which was named to some of the Co. of this state where the people were not so much prejudiced against them. As they were moved from Clay Co. to the County where they were to be tried, they hired the guard to let them go &c. which they did and informed their brethren that an angel had delivered them from the guard, when in fact money hired those base and corrupt men, who let them go, and thus through the wickedness of those to whom their safe keeping was committed these men escaped the Justice of the law of the land which they had transgressed and went unpunished at this time…..
… Therefore I close the history of the church of Latter Day Saints, hoping that I may be forgiven of my faults, and my sins be blotted out and in the last day be saved in the kingdom of God notwithstanding my present situation, which I hope will soon be bettered and I find favor in the eyes of God and his Saints. Farewell…. [inserted from end of page 86] [John Whitmer, "The Book of John Whitmer Kept by Commandment," original manuscript, Community of Christ Library-Archives, Independence, Missouri.]
