Newel K. Whitney | |
---|---|
Presiding Bishop | |
June 6, 1847 | – September 23, 1850|
Called by | Brigham Young |
First Bishop of the Church | |
December 4, 1831 | – June 6, 1847|
Called by | Joseph Smith, Jr. |
End reason | Called as Presiding Bishop |
Personal details | |
Born | Newel Kimball Whitney February 5, 1795 Marlboro, Vermont, United States |
Died | September 23, 1850 Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, United States | (aged 55)
Resting place | Kimball-Whitney Cemetery 40°46′22″N 111°53′22″W / 40.7728°N 111.8895°W |
Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Ann Whitney |
Newel Kimball Whitney (February 5, 1795 – September 23, 1850,[1] his first name being sometimes found as Newell) was a prominent member and leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and an American businessman. Whitney married Elizabeth Ann Smith in 1822. He owned a store and an ashery in Kirtland, and acquired more property as his business grew. Initially he was part of the Disciples of Christ or Campbellite movement. He joined the early Latter Day Saint church, called the Church of Christ, in 1830 after his Campbellite bishop, Sidney Rigdon also joined the church. Whitney greatly contributed financially to the growing church, paying taxes on its property and paying off the debts incurred by the United Firm. He traveled to other states for business and as part of his duties as a Bishop. In Nauvoo, he was part of the Quorum of the Anointed, consented for his daughter to become a plural wife of Joseph Smith, and participated in plural marriage. He served as the second Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1847 until his death. He died in 1850 of pleurisy.