Days Never to Be Forgotten: Oliver Cowdery

Besides the Prophet, no one was more involved in the key events of the Restoration nor mentioned more often in the Doctrine and Covenants than Oliver Cowdery. He was influential in the highest councils of the Church as well as in the councils of his community. While many are familiar with his contributions to the Restoration, few understand his personality and his deep spirituality.

This book is a compilation of presentations selected from the annual BYU Church History Symposium hosted by BYU Religious Education and explores the life of Oliver Cowdery and the many roles he filled. This symposium was held to honor him and celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of his birth.

Among his numerous roles, Oliver Cowdery was the principal scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon. He was an Apostle of Jesus Christ, second elder of the Church, and Associate President of the Church. He helped choose the original latter-day Apostles and gave them their charge and blessing, exhorting them, “Never cease striving until you have seen God face to face.” He helped compile the revelations for the Doctrine and Covenants and presented them to the Church for approval.

Oliver Cowdery was also a principle witness to several miraculous events. When John the Baptist came to restore the Aaronic Priesthood, Oliver received the priesthood and became the first person to be baptized in this dispensation. Later, Oliver received the Melchizedek Priesthood when Peter, James, and John appeared. He was with Joseph in the Kirtland Temple when Christ and the Old Testament messengers came and restored critical priesthood keys. He was one of three witnesses called to testify to the world of the angel and the sacred plates.

For a season, Oliver’s independence and indignation led him to leave the Church. In the end, however, his devotion to God and his reliance on a deep inner spirituality brought him back into the kingdom.

Joseph Smith referred to Oliver Cowdery as his scribe, companion, assistant, and friend. As such, in the midst of these glorious events, Oliver wrote, “These were days never to be forgotten.” Indeed, the record of Oliver’s life contained in this volume will help ensure those days will never be forgotten.

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