Newel K. Whitney
Encyclopedia
Newel Kimball Whitney (first name sometimes found as Newell) was a prominent leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and an American businessman. He served as Bishop
of Kirtland, Ohio
, Far West, Missouri
, and Nauvoo, Illinois
. He also served as the second Presiding Bishop
of the Church from 1847 until his death. He died in 1850 of pleurisy
.
Whitney was the owner of a home-based store in Kirtland that was Mormonism's first "bishop's storehouse
," known as the Newel K. Whitney Store. The building was also used by Church founder and president Joseph Smith, Jr. as a home and office. Smith received approximately 20 revelation
s in the store building and used one of its rooms as a meeting place of the School of the Prophets
.
, Whitney was involved in some important developments within the Church. One of these occurred on May 4, 1842 when Whitney, along with a group of nine others, met in the upper story of the Red Brick Store. Those who were there, including Whitney, became part of Joseph Smith's Quorum of the Anointed
. Later, Whitney's wife, Elizabeth Ann
, was added to that group.
Another development was polygamy. In 1842, after being taught the doctrine of polygamy, Whitney and his wife agreed to let their daughter, Sarah Ann
, become a plural wife of Joseph Smith.
Bishop (Mormonism)
Bishop is the highest priesthood office of the Aaronic priesthood in the Latter Day Saint movement. A bishop is usually the leader of a local congregation of church members. The Latter Day Saint concept of the office differs significantly from the role of bishops in other Christian denominations,...
of Kirtland, Ohio
Kirtland, Ohio
Kirtland is a city in Lake County, Ohio, USA. The population was 6,670 at the 2000 census. Kirtland is famous for being the early headquarters of the Latter Day Saint movement.-Origins of Kirtland:...
, Far West, Missouri
Far West, Missouri
Far West, Missouri, was a Latter Day Saint settlement in Caldwell County, Missouri.-Foundation and early history:The town was founded by Missouri Mormon leaders, W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer in August 1836 shortly before the county's creation. The town was platted originally as a square area,...
, and Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. Although the population was just 1,063 at the 2000 census, and despite being difficult to reach due to its location in a remote corner of Illinois, Nauvoo attracts large numbers of visitors for its historic importance and its...
. He also served as the second Presiding Bishop
Presiding Bishop (LDS Church)
The Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a priesthood calling with church-wide authority. The Presiding Bishop is the highest leadership position within the church's Aaronic priesthood.-Presiding Bishopric:...
of the Church from 1847 until his death. He died in 1850 of pleurisy
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs. Among other things, infections are the most common cause of pleurisy....
.
Kirtland
Bishop's storehouse
A bishop's storehouse in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints usually refers to a commodity resource center that is used by bishops of the church to provide goods to needy individuals...
," known as the Newel K. Whitney Store. The building was also used by Church founder and president Joseph Smith, Jr. as a home and office. Smith received approximately 20 revelation
Revelation
In religion and theology, revelation is the revealing or disclosing, through active or passive communication with a supernatural or a divine entity...
s in the store building and used one of its rooms as a meeting place of the School of the Prophets
School of the Prophets
In Mormonism, the School of the Prophets was a select group of early Latter Day Saint leaders who began meeting on January 23, 1833 in Kirtland, Ohio under the direction of Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. for both theological and secular learning...
.
Nauvoo
While in Nauvoo, IllinoisNauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. Although the population was just 1,063 at the 2000 census, and despite being difficult to reach due to its location in a remote corner of Illinois, Nauvoo attracts large numbers of visitors for its historic importance and its...
, Whitney was involved in some important developments within the Church. One of these occurred on May 4, 1842 when Whitney, along with a group of nine others, met in the upper story of the Red Brick Store. Those who were there, including Whitney, became part of Joseph Smith's Quorum of the Anointed
Anointed Quorum
The Anointed Quorum, also known as the Quorum of the Anointed, or the Holy Order, was a select body of men and women who Joseph Smith, Jr. initiated into Mormon temple ordinances at Nauvoo, Illinois, which gave them special standing in the early Latter Day Saint movement...
. Later, Whitney's wife, Elizabeth Ann
Elizabeth Ann Whitney
Elizabeth Ann Whitney , born Elizabeth Ann Smith, was an early Latter Day Saint leader, and the wife of Newel K. Whitney, another early Latter Day Saint leader.Born in Derby, Connecticut to non-sectarian parents, Ms...
, was added to that group.
Another development was polygamy. In 1842, after being taught the doctrine of polygamy, Whitney and his wife agreed to let their daughter, Sarah Ann
Sarah Ann Whitney
Sarah Ann Whitney is alleged to have been a polygamous wife of Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Latter Day Saint movement.-Early life:...
, become a plural wife of Joseph Smith.