Jesse Gause

Jesse Gause was Joseph Smith’s first counselor in the First Presidency, serving briefly from March to December 1832. He is one of the most obscure figures in early Mormon leadership.

Gause was born around 1785 in Pennsylvania and had been both a Quaker and a Shaker before converting to Mormonism in 1831. His religious journey reflected the spiritual seeking common in early 19th-century America.

He was called as Joseph Smith’s first counselor on March 8, 1832, making him one of the earliest members of the First Presidency (see D&C 81). However, his tenure was remarkably brief. He was sent on a mission in August 1832 but never returned to the church, instead rejoining the Shakers.

Gause was excommunicated on December 3, 1832, for abandoning his calling. After leaving the church, he disappears from historical records, and his exact death date is unknown. His brief service and mysterious departure make him one of the most enigmatic figures in early church history. Frederick G. Williams replaced him as counselor.