From BYU's Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
In conjunction with a recent Brigham Young University symposium, “Oliver Cowdery: Restoration Witness, Second Elder,” the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship has published “Oliver Cowdery: Scribe, Elder, Witness” edited by John W. Welch and Larry E. Morris.
The book includes 17 important articles previously published by BYU Studies and FARMS and covers virtually all periods of Oliver Cowdery’s life.
“Oliver Cowdery was scribe, second elder, missionary, editor, publisher, justice of the peace, witness of the Book of Mormon and defender of the restoration,” said John Welch, co-editor of the book and editor-in-chief of BYU Studies. “This bicentennial collection spotlights and clarifies Cowdery’s many crucial contributions to the early years of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
Two leading Cowdery scholars, Richard L. Anderson and Scott Faulring, are both well represented in this compilation. Their articles discuss Cowdery’s involvement in the first major mission of the Church to New York and Ohio and efforts to bring him back into the fold after his 1838 excommunication.
Other articles discuss the translation and printing of the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the priesthood, Cowdery’s response to Alexander Campbell’s criticisms of the Book of Mormon, and Cowdery’s accounts of the Pentecost-like outpourings associated with the dedication of the Kirtland Temple.
Of particular interest to many is the recent discovery of an original daguerreotype believed to be of Cowdery. Patrick A. Bishop, a Church Educational System coordinator who discovered the image while doing research in the Library of Congress archives, said in a recent article, “While [my] observations are not absolute, they do provide convincing evidence that this is indeed a heretofore unknown image of Oliver Cowdery.”
This volume helps readers understand and appreciate the remarkable Oliver Cowdery, Book of Mormon scribe, recipient with Joseph Smith of restored priesthood power, witness of the visit of Moroni and co-founder of the Church of Jesus Christ.
For more information, contact Kaylene Vest, (801) 422-5194, John Welch, (801) 422-3168 or Larry Morris, (801) 422-1532.
Writer: Kaylene Vest
