Doctrine and Covenants Revelation Sites – Peter Whitmer Sr. Log Home

Fayette, New York

Peter Whitmer Sr. Log Home

Sections 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, (35), (36), (37), 38, 39, and 40

June 1829 to January 1831

Scripture

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

"And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!"

Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16

The Angel Moroni showed the Three Witnesses the golden plates in the woods not far from the Whitmer home.

"And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it.

"These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man;

"For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them;

"Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words."

Doctrine and Covenants 18:33-36

"And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism - All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church."

Doctrine and Covenants 20:37

Reconstructed Whitmer home where much of the Book of Mormon was translated, and the restored Church of Jesus Christ was officially organized in 1830.

Key Events

Translation of the Book of Mormon completed here in 1829.

The Three Witnesses were shown the golden plates by the Angel Moroni in 1829.

The official organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints occurred here on April 6, 1830.

The first Sacrament was blessed and passed in this dispensation.

The first Priesthood ordinations were performed, including Joseph Smith, Jr. and Oliver Cowdery as the first and second Elders in the Church.

The first 3 General Conferences of the Church were held here.

Between 17 and 20 Doctrine and Covenants revelations were received by the Prophet Joseph at this place.

From Fayette, missionaries were sent to the western frontier of the United States, baptizing many people in Ohio and Missouri.

About 60 friends and family members gathered in the Whitmer home to witness the organization of the church.

Words of Joseph Smith

"Whilst the Book of Mormon was in the hands of the printer, we still continued to bear testimony and give information, as far as we had opportunity; and also made known to our brethren that we had received a commandment to organize the Church; and accordingly we met together for that purpose, at the house of Mr. Peter Whitmer, Sen., (being six in number,) on Tuesday, the sixth day of April, A. D., one thousand eight hundred and thirty. Having opened the meeting by solemn prayer to our Heavenly Father, we proceeded, according to previous commandment, to call on our brethren to know whether they accepted us as their teachers in the things of the Kingdom of God, and whether they were satisfied that we should proceed and be organized as a Church according to said commandment which we had received. To these several propositions they consented by a unanimous vote. I then laid my hands upon Oliver Cowdery, and ordained him an Elder of the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"; after which, he ordained me also to the office of an Elder of said Church. We then took bread, blessed it, and brake it with them; also wine, blessed it, and drank it with them. We then laid our hands on each individual member of the Church present, that they might receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and be confirmed members of the Church of Christ. The Holy Ghost was poured out upon us to a very great degree--some prophesied, whilst we all praised the Lord, and rejoiced exceedingly." (History of the Church 1:75-76)

"Such scenes as these were calculated to inspire our hearts with joy unspeakable, and fill us with awe and reverence for that Almighty Being, by whose grace we had been called to be instrumental in bringing about, for the children of men, the enjoyment of such glorious blessings as were now at this time poured out upon us. To find ourselves engaged in the very same order of things as observed by the holy Apostles of old; to realize the importance and solemnity of such proceedings; and to witness and feel with our own natural senses, the like glorious manifestations of the powers of the priesthood, the gifts and blessings of the Holy Ghost, and the goodness and condescension of a merciful God unto such as obey the everlasting Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, combined to create within us sensations of rapturous gratitude, and inspire us with fresh zeal and energy in the cause of truth." (History of the Church 1:85)