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Thomas B. Marsh: Reluctant Apostate

A. Gary Anderson

Thomas B. Marsh was born in Acton (Middlesex County), Massachusetts on 1 November 1800. In 1829, he learned of the Book of Mormon and in 1830 he was baptized after the Church of Jesus Christ had been organized. Thus, Thomas B. Marsh had been with the Church from the beginning. Marsh was very active during the years 1831 to 1837. He was among the early missionaries sent to Missouri in 1831 and later led a group of Saints from Kirtland to Missouri that settled in Jackson County in 1832. Marsh was in Clay County when Zion's Camp arrived in 1834. He returned to Kirtland in 1835, was called to the Twelve Apostles, and became the first president of that quorum. Following his call as an apostle, he participated in the missionary work of the Twelve from 1835 to 1836. He visited Missouri temporarily in April 1836, but returned to Kirtland in June 1837 to support the Prophet Joseph Smith during the Kirtland apostasy.

Marsh, therefore, proved to be a very active supporter of Joseph Smith and was instrumental in the Church's growth and welfare in the early days. His service and dedication greatly benefitted the Church. Marsh's actions sustained the growth of the Church in Missouri, and he made his home there. However, during the final days of the Mormons in Missouri, Marsh severed himself from the Church and remained aloof for over seventeen years.

As the President of the Quorum of the Twelve, Thomas B. Marsh, along with Hyrum Smith, was commissioned by the Prophet Joseph Smith to carry a letter to the Saints in Missouri. Leaving Kirtland with Hyrum Smith, President Marsh arrived at his home in Far West in October 1837, just in time for the birth of his eighth child, a daughter who was named Mary Elizabeth.

Thomas and Hyrum carried with them the minutes of the Church's September Conference in Kirtland, Joseph's letter of greeting to the Missouri Saints, and other important notices. No doubt they also had a copy of a revelation (dated 4 September 1837) that chastised two of the Missouri church leaders, John Whitmer and W. W. Phelps:

Verily thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph-my servants John Whitmer and William W. Phelps have done those things which are not pleasing in my sight, therefore if they repent not they shall be removed out of their places. Amen.

At this same time Joseph had prepared an announcement that warned the Church against the disaffection of the Witnesses to the Book of Mormon. The announcement read in part that David Whitmer and others "have been in transgression, but we hope that they may be humble and ere long make satisfaction to the Church, otherwise they cannot retain their standing." The notice further indicated that Oliver Cowdery had been in transgression, "but as [Oliver Cowdery] is now chosen as one of the presidents or counselors, I trust he will yet humble himself and magnify his calling," if not, he too would be removed.