Why was David Whitmer excommunicated from the LDS Church?

John Whitmer was excommunicated 10 March 1838, for taking personal title to Church property. David was excommunicated one month later for apostasy. Oliver Cowdery was excommunicated about the same time for dishonesty, especially lying about Joseph Smith.

What percentage of returned missionaries are inactive?

While an estimated 40 percent of returned missionaries become inactive sometime after completing their mission, only 2 percent become apostates, meaning that they request to have their names removed from church rolls, or are formally excommunicated.

Did Orson Hyde leave the LDS Church?

Upon returning from Britain, Hyde found the church in a period of persecution and internal dissension. He wrote that he felt God was no longer with the church. He left the church on October 19, 1838 with Thomas B. Marsh, the presiding member of the Twelve.

Did the Whitmer family leave the LDS Church?

All surviving members of the Whitmer family broke with Smith in 1838 in Far West, Missouri, and were excommunicated from the church. Whitmer moved to Richmond, Missouri, where he lived until his death.

Did Martin Harris leave the LDS Church?

Final Testimony. Martin served faithfully through the coming years, but he separated himself from the Church during the turbulent time of the late 1830s. He was excommunicated in December of 1837, but he again humbled himself and was rebaptized in 1842.

Can LDS members be put on trial for apostasy?

However, LDS members are still occasionally put on trial in church courts for apostasy when the Church feels that someone is teaching false doctrine or trying to lead others astray. Church historian Marlin Jensen actually used the term apostasy in 2012 when describing members leaving the Church:

What is an apostate member of the LDS Church?

Members of the Church vary in their levels of participation or belief (see Activity in the Church). Latter-day Saints who have seriously contravened or ignored cardinal Church teachings (publicly or privately) are considered apostates, whether or not they have officially left the Church or affiliated with another religion.

Are members raised LDS leaving the church?

Whether that represents reality or not, I am not sure, but according to the Pew Research Center, the percentage of U.S. members raised LDS that are leaving the Church is substantially increasing. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, approximately 10\% of members raised LDS no longer viewed themselves as LDS.

Will there be another apostasy from the truth?

Although there will not be another general apostasy from the truth, we must each guard against personal apostasy by keeping covenants, obeying the commandments, following Church leaders, partaking of the sacrament, and constantly strengthening our testimonies through daily scripture study, prayer, and service. “Stay in the Boat and Hold On!”