Oliver Cowdery Daguerreotype Recently Found in the Library of Congress

October 3, 2006 marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of the second elder of the Church, Oliver Cowdery. Oliver served as scribe for the majority of the translation of the Book of Mormon.

Oliver was also present with the Prophet Joseph Smith at the restoration of the Aaronic and Melchezidek Priesthoods, was the first person baptized with authority in this dispensation, and served as the Assistant President of the Church. He was also one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon and was present when the keys of this dispensation were bestowed upon him and the Prophet Joseph Smith by the Savior, Moses, Elias, and Elijah in the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836.

Although Oliver spent ten years out of the Church, he returned to the Church in 1848 and died in full-fellowship in 1850.

Several events in connection with Oliver's birth were sponsored by the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation. First, on September 23, 2006, a commemoration near the birthplace of Oliver Cowdery in Wells, Vermont was held in which MHSF presented Wells Village a portrait of Oliver by Ken Corbett based on the recently discovered daguerreotype of Oliver found in the Library of Congress.

Next, events took place on October 6-8, 2006 in Richmond, Missouri, where Oliver passed away in 1850. The commemoration activities included the first ever Whitmer family reunion. Oliver's wife, Elizabeth Ann Whitmer, was the daughter of early Church leader Peter Whitmer, Sr. A memorial to Elizabeth Ann and others was dedicated in Southwest City, Missouri was among several activities. MSHF presented the City of Richmond with a portrait of Oliver, similar to one presented in Wells, Vermont.

Finally, the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation and the BYU Religious Studies Center co-sponsored a symposium focused on the life and mission of Oliver Cowdery entitled "Oliver Cowdery: Restoration Witness, Second Elder."

The symposium was held at Brigham Young University and included topics of interest related to Oliver. Speakers included Richard L. Anderson, Susan Easton Black, Steven C. Harper, Jeffrey N. Walker, John W. (Jack) Welch and several others. Additionally, Patrick A. Bishop discussed the discovery and identification of a new daguerreotype of Oliver. View the entire schedule of speakers here.