Orson Spencer
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Orson Spencer (March 14, 1802 - October 15, 1855) was a prolific writer and prominent member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in several highly visible positions within the Church and left an extensive legacy of theological writings.
Born in West Stockbridge, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, on March 14, 1802, Spencer was generally esteemed a bright boy. At age fifteen, the town sheriff was so struck by him that he offered to finance Spencer's education. Spencer graduated with honors from Union College at Schenectady, New York, in 1824.
In 1827, Spencer joined the Baptist church and decided to become a pastor. He attended the Theological College at Hamilton, New York, and graduated as class valedictorian in 1829. Spencer served as pastor at three congregations throughout New England between 1829 and 1841.
Spencer was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by his brother Daniel and was baptized by the same in spring 1841, necessitating the discontinuation of his Baptist ministry. Shortly thereafter, he and his family moved to Nauvoo, Illinois.
News of Spencer's conversion reached many of his Baptist colleagues. Reverend William Crowell sent a letter inquiring about his conversion and the Mormon faith in general. Spencer's responses to this and other epistles were published and remain of interest to many Latter-day Saints today.
Spencer served as President of the British Mission from 1847 until 1849. In fall of 1852, Brigham Young commissioned him to travel, together with Jacob Houtz, to Prussia, Germany. After reaching Berlin in late January, 1853, as the first missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ever, he and his companion discovered that every single step they took was observed by the Prussian secret police. After only one week, Spencer and Houtz were forced by the police to leave Berlin without having had any visible missionary success.
Spencer served as an editor and writer on many newspapers from his conversion and was named the first chancellor of The University of Deseret in 1850. He died in 1855 after contracting illness on a mission to the Cherokee nation.
[edit] References
Spencer, Orson. (1853). The Prussian Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Report of Elder Orson Spencer, A.B., to President Brigham Young. Liverpool: S.W.Richards
