
Lyman E. Johnson
1811–1859 (48 years)
Hometown: Pomfret, Vermont
Biography
Lyman E. Johnson was one of the original Twelve Apostles, the youngest of the original group at age 23. He left the church during the 1837 Kirtland crisis and never returned.
Johnson was excommunicated in 1838. Unlike his brother Luke who eventually came back, Lyman remained estranged from the church. He reportedly expressed regret about leaving later in life, allegedly saying he would give his right arm to have his former faith.
He died in 1859, having spent his final decades outside the church he once helped lead. His case is often cited in discussions of apostates who later regretted their decision.
Served Under
Church presidents during this leader's apostolic service:
Wives (4)
Lyman E. Johnson was a polygamist with 4 wives. Note these are simultaneous marriages — married to multiple living spouses at the same time.
3 wives · Lifespan: 1811–1859
5 children from 2 wives · Lifespan: 1811–1859
3 wives · Ages at marriage
| # | Name | Born | Died | Married | Her Age | His Age | Age Diff | Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Mar 15, 1813 | Jan 1, 1838 | Sep 4, 1834 | 21 | 22 | 1 | 0 | |
| 3 | May 6, 1815 | Feb 3, 1851 | Sep 4, 1834 | 19 | 22 | 3 | 3 | |
| 4 | May 30, 1831 | Apr 7, 1888 | Nov 5, 1852 | 21 | 41 | 20 | 2 |
Children (5)
With
Sarah Susan Lang
(3 children)
- Sarah Marinda Johnson (b. Jan 1, 1837)
- John Elbridge Johnson (b. Jan 1, 1844)
- George Johnson (b. Jan 1, 1845)
With Mary Amelia Blood (2 children)
- Kate Mathew Johnson (b. Jan 1, 1854)
- Jeannette A Johnson (b. Jan 1, 1858)


