THE FALL OF DAVID WHITMER AND OLIVER COWDERY.
Thus Far West was founded; and the impediments to her growth as a strictly moral and temperance city removed. And yet, causes were at work that were undermining the spiritual strength of many of the saints, and killing the influence of a number of the elders in high positions. A wave of speculation, especially in lands, swept over the entire country, and the brethren partook largely of this spirit, which proved ruinous to their spiritual life. Among those who were affected by this spirit of wild speculation to their injury were John Whitmer and W. W. Phelps. Shortly afterwards Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, two of the three witnesses to the truth of the Book of Mormon, were excommunicated. The charges sustained before the High Council against Oliver Cowdery were:
1. Persecuting the brethren by urging on vexatious law suits against them, and thus distressing the innocent.
2. Seeking to destroy the character of Joseph Smith, Jr., by falsely insinuating that he was guilty of adultery.
3. Treating The Church with contempt by not attending meetings.
4. Leaving his calling, to which God had appointed him by revelation, for the sake of filthy lucre, and turning to the practice of law.
5. Disgracing The Church by being connected in the "bogus" business, as common report says.[A]
[Footnote A: Upper Missouri was infested with sharps engaged in counterfeiting the currency of the United States, and common rumor connected Oliver Cowdery with them.]
6. Dishonestly retaining notes after they had been paid; and finally forsaking the cause of God and returning to the beggarly elements of the world, and neglecting his high and holy calling, according to his profession.
The charges sustained against David Whitmer were: