The Death of David W. Patten

Let us travel to Missouri, eighteen years after this great land became a state of the United States of America. The year is 1838 and a great conflict is brewing, a conflict that would force thousands of people to abandon of their homes and trek towards Illinois. This great conflict, known to many as the “Mormon War”, reached to its climax during the Battle of Crooked River. In this battle, the Missourians, led by militia captain Samuel Bogart, fought against the Latter-Day Saint columns under the direction of “Captain Fear-Not”, who was known for his bravery and conviction in his faith. The captain led the charge with the cry, “Fight for liberty…Charge, boys!” However, when the battle closed in a Latter-Day Saint victory, the “Mormons” were not in rejoicing, as one of their three fallen brethren was their leader, “Captain Fear-Not”, also known as Elder David W. Patten of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He became the first apostle to die in this dispensation, but not the last to become a martyr.

Elder Patten was one of three original apostles who never left the side of Joseph Smith, the others being Elder Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. He joined the church in 1832, being converted by his older brother, John. This special disciple was known for his gift of healing ailments through the Priesthood and served in total twelve missions for his beloved church. His fearless nature in preaching the gospel brought him the nickname “Captain Fear-Not”, and he became the second-most senior apostle in the newly organized Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

To quote Joseph Smith: “He was one of the Twelve Apostles, and died as he had lived, a man of God, and strong in the faith of a glorious resurrection, in a world where mobs will have no power or place” (History of the Church, 3:171).