Jacob Whitmer

Jacob Whitmer was one of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, testifying that he saw and handled the golden plates in June 1829. He was the son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman, brother to Christian, John, Peter Jr., and David Whitmer.

Baptized on April 11, 1830, Jacob served as a high councilor in Missouri and received an elder’s license in December 1837. He married Elizabeth Schott on September 29, 1825, and they had nine children, though only three survived to adulthood.

In early 1838, Jacob became disaffected from the church during disputes in Far West, Missouri, and was excommunicated along with other Whitmer family members. After leaving the church, he settled near Richmond, Missouri, working as a farmer and shoemaker.

Despite his estrangement from the main body of the church, Jacob never denied his testimony of having seen and handled the golden plates, affirming it even on his deathbed. He died on April 21, 1856, in Richmond, Missouri.