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Orson Hyde (1805-1878) Apostle in the early Mormon church; author of damning affidavit against the church; rejoined and became a leader in the settlement of Utah by the Mormons under Brigham Young.
Orson Hyde was born January 8, 1805 in Oxford, New Haven County, Connecticut.
He was ordained an apostle on February 15, 1835 as one of the original 12. He was 5th in seniority.
He left the church in October 19, 1838 with Thomas B. Marsh. He wrote in a letter that he left because he felt that God was no longer with the church.
He signed an affidavit along with Thomas B. Marsh against Joseph Smith on October 24, 1838, accusing him of trying to take over the world by force and of organizing the Danites. Two days after that, the Battle of Crooked Creek occurred. The following day, Governor Lilburn W. Boggs signed the Extermination Order.
Disfellowshipped in 1838.
On May 4, 1839, a Church conference in Quincy, Ohio voted to suspend Orson Hyde and William Smith. They invited the two to explain their actions. On June 27, he returns to the church and explains himself, asking to be restored. The conference of October 6-8 votes to restore both Hyde and William Smith as apostles.
One of the most significant missions that Hyde carried out was a call to preach in Jerusalem. From April 1841 to December 1842, he proselyted in Palestine. On October 24, 1841 on the Mount of Olives, Orson Hyde dedicates Palestine for the gathering of the Jews.
Orson Hyde practiced plural marriage and had nine wives. He fathered 32 children.
He passed away on November 28, 1878, and was succeeded by Moses Thatcher.
Note: Orson Hyde left the church and thus the quorum on October 19, 1838, and so lost his position in seniority. When he rejoined in 1839, he was restored to the quorum as if a new member.
External links
Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages (http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/w/o/wol3/hydeo1.htm)
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