“Let my servant William Marks be faithful over a few things, and he shall be a ruler over many.” — Doctrine and Covenants 117:10¹

William Marks was a prominent leader in the early Latter-day Saint movement and an important figure in church governance. Born in Vermont in 1792, Marks was baptized into the Church in 1835 and held several significant leadership roles, including president of the Kirtland and Nauvoo stakes. He was part of the city council, Nauvoo Legion, and the Council of Fifty.² After Joseph Smith’s death, Emma Smith wanted Marks to be the trustee-in-trust over the Church’s property. Bishop Newel Knight disagreed because Marks rejected the doctrine of plural marriage and some of Joseph’s later revelations.³ Marks initially supported Sidney Rigdon as leader of the Church, and later James J. Strang, eventually joining the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.^4,2

1. Doctrine and Covenants 117:10

2. “Marks, William,” josephsmithpapers.org

3. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 45, 560-562

4. Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 284, archive.org