John Whitmer

John Whitmer was one of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon and the first official Church Historian of the Latter Day Saint movement. He testified that he saw and handled the golden plates in June 1829. He was the son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman.

On March 8, 1831, Joseph Smith received a revelation (now D&C 47) calling John Whitmer to ‘write and keep a regular history’ of the church. His manuscript, often called ‘The Book of John Whitmer,’ documents early church events from 1831 through 1838 and remains an invaluable primary source.

John also served as an Assistant Counselor in the church’s Missouri presidency from about 1834 to 1838. He married Sarah Maria Jackson on February 10, 1833, and they had five children.

In March 1838, John was excommunicated by the High Council at Far West during disputes over church finances and land. Despite this, he never denied his testimony of the Book of Mormon. He bought land at Far West (including the intended temple site) and farmed there for the rest of his life.

John Whitmer was the last surviving of the Eight Witnesses, dying on July 11, 1878, in Far West, Missouri.