“I went before the Lord in secret, and on my knees asked him to reveal the answer to five questions through his Prophet, and that too without his having any knowledge of my having made such request.” — William McLellin1
William McLellin, a 25-year-old schoolteacher, was mourning the loss of his wife and child when he encountered missionaries David Whitmer and Harvey Whitlock, who preached about the Book of Mormon. Intrigued, McLellin followed them to Independence, where he met prominent Church figures and was baptized by Hyrum Smith after receiving a personal witness of the truth of the Book of Mormon.2
In Kirtland, McLellin sought a revelation from Joseph Smith to guide his life, and the five questions he secretly prayed about were answered (now found in Doctrine and Covenants Section 66), confirming his belief in Smith's prophetic role.2 He participated in a council where he attempted to write a revelation, but failed, leading to a testimony of the divine origin of Joseph's revelations.3
However, McLellin struggled as a missionary in Ohio, facing poor health, bad weather, and resistance from the public. Doubting whether his mission call was from the Lord or Joseph Smith, he abandoned his mission and found work as a clerk. Eventually, he decided to move to Jackson County with a group of Saints without obtaining the required recommendation from Church leaders.4
During the persecutions in Missouri, McLellin faced his own trials. Racked with doubt, he sought reassurance from David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery about the truth of the Book of Mormon.5 Arrested and nearly lynched during a sham trial, McLellin and others faced the grim reality of abandoning their homes for safety.6 Later, in 1835, McLellin would be called as an apostle.7 Despite his initial fervor, his faith wavered over time, leading to his rebuke and departure from the Church. His later years saw him confronting people like Heber Kimball, challenging their loyalty to Joseph Smith, as he aligned himself with dissenters.8
1. William E. McLellin, Editorial, Ensign of Liberty, Jan. 1848, 61
2. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 13, 138-140; Doctrine and Covenants 66
3. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 13, 140-143; Doctrine and Covenants 67:4-9
4. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 14, 155-157
5. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 17, 182-183
6. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 17, 190-191
7. McLellin, William Earl, Biography, josephsmithpapers.org
8. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 24, 275, 284; Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 27, 313-314; Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 31, 363