David W. Patten

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David Wyman Patten (sometimes referred to as David Warren Patten) (November 14, 1799 — October 25, 1838) was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement, an original member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and one of the most celebrated martyrs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Patten was born in Westmoreland, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, the son of Benenio (Benoni) Patten and Abigale Edith Cole. As an adult, he originally settled near Dundee, Michigan, and in 1828 married Phoebe Ann Babcock. They had no children.

In May 1832, Patten learned of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in a letter from his brother John, who had recently joined the new Church. David traveled to Indiana to investigate the Church and was baptized by John Patten on June 15, 1832. Patten spent several years as a missionary in the surrounding areas, establishing numerous branches of the Church during his journeys. Patten became one of the original apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on February 15, 1835, receiving his ordination from Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris, jointly known as the Three Witnesses. In late 1836, Patten settled in Far West, Missouri. On April 6, 1838, Patten was appointed to be an Assistant to Thomas B. Marsh, who was the President of the LDS Church in Missouri. Church Apostle Brigham Young also served as an Assistant to Marsh. Latter Day Saints in Missouri began to refer to Patten by the nickname "Captain Fear-Not".

Patten died on October 25, 1838, due to wounds received in the Battle of Crooked River. Many historians believe the Battle was primarily due to deteriorating conditions between Mormon settlers and other religious groups in Missouri. The Battle took place along the banks of Crooked River in northern Ray County, Missouri, between mob forces under the command of Methodist minister Samuel Bogart and a section of the Caldwell County militia of Missouri, which was composed entirely of Latter Day Saints. The militia was attempting to rescue three Latter Day Saints who had been taken prisoner in Ray County. There were 16 casualties and 4 fatalities, among them Patten, who was serving as commander of the Mormon militia group.

Gathered from the battlefield, the wounded Patten was taken to the nearby home of Stephen Winchester. In a contemporary account, a young church member, Bathsheba W. Smith, wrote:

"Three nights after we had arrived at the farm . . . four miles south of the city of Far West word came that a mob was gathering on Crooked River, and a call was made for men to go out in command of Captain David W. Patten, for the purpose of trying to stop the depredations of the men, who were whipping and otherwise maltreating our brethren, and who were destroying and burning property. Captain Patten's company went, and a battle ensued. Some of the Latter-day Saints were killed, and several were wounded. I saw Brother James Hendrix, one of the wounded, as he was being carried home; he was entirely helpless and nearly speechless. Soon afterwards Captain David W. Patten, who was one of the twelve apostles, was brought wounded into the house where we were. I heard him bear testimony to the truth of Mormonism. He exhorted his wife and all present to abide in the faith. His wife asked him if he had anything against any one. He answered, 'No.' Elder Heber C. Kimball asked him if he would remember him when he got home. He said he would. Soon after this he died, without a struggle." (in Edward W. Tullidge, The Women of Mormondom (New York: n.p., 1877), 150-155)[1].

Shortly after the Battle of Crooked River, an Extermination Order was issued by Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs. Only days later, the Latter Day Saints living in the community of Haun's Mill were attacked by a mob and experienced many casualties. These events ultimately led to the expulsion of the Latter Day Saints from Missouri. Today, Latter-day Saints regard Patten to be a martyr of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

[edit] Story of meeting Cain (killer of Abel)

An excerpt from The Life of David W. Patten, by L.A. Wilson, p.46, 47:

“As I was riding along the road on my mule I suddenly noticed a very strange personage walking beside me. He walked along beside me for about two miles. His head was about even with my shoulders as I sat in my saddle. He wore no clothing, but was covered with hair. His skin was very dark. I asked him where he dwelt and he replied that he had no home, that he was a wanderer in the earth and traveled to and fro. He said he was a very miserable creature, that he had earnestly sought death during his sojourn upon the earth, but that he could not die, and his mission was to destroy the souls of men. About the time he expressed himself thus, I rebuked him in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by virtue of the Holy Priesthood, and commanded him to go hence, and he immediately departed out of my sight.”

[edit] Reference

Ludlow, Daniel H., Editor. Church History, Selections From the Encyclopedia of Mormonism. Deseret Book Co., Salt Lake City, UT, 1992. ISBN 0-87579-924-8.