| 650 LUKE S. JOHNSON.
Luke S. Johnson was the sixth apostle chosen, but in the arrangement according to age he was the eighth. He was the son of John and Elsa Johnson, and was born in Pomfret, Windsor County, Vermont, November 3, 1807. He was baptized by Joseph Smith in June, 1831. He was soon after ordained a priest by Christian Whitmer, and commenced active work as a missionary. Subsequently he was ordained a high priest by Joseph Smith, after which he traveled and preached extensively in Ohio, Virginia, and Kentucky. He was married November 1, 1833, to Miss Susan H. Proteet, in Cabell County, Virginia, whose acquaintance he made on his missionary tour.
At the organization of the High Council, February 17, 1834, he was chosen a member, and the following summer went to Missouri with Zion's Camp. In February, 1835, at the organization of the Apostles' quorum, he was chosen and ordained a member of that quorum. With his quorum he visited Canada and the East. He also partook of the spirit of speculation, neglected the duties of his office, and at a conference held at Kirtland, Ohio, September 3, 1837, he with his brother Lyman, and John F. Boynton, was rejected. On the 10th they made confession and were received into fellowship, and permitted to retain their apostleship. He however did not renew his diligence sufficiently to restore confidence, and was subsequently rejected by the church. He continued friendly to the church during the life of Joseph, and after his death affiliated with the organization under the Twelve and with them went West, where he died in Salt Lake City, Utah, December 9, 1861.
WILLIAM E. M'LELLIN.
William E. McLellin was the seventh of the apostles chosen, but in the final arrangement he was the sixth. He was born in Tennessee about the year 1806. In 1831 he heard the gospel preached by some of the elders while they were on their way to Missouri. As soon as he could arrange his business he followed them to Independence; and was baptized by Hyrum Smith. He afterwards visited Kirtland,
(page 650) |
