“The fire was repeated by the Mob and returned by Captain Patten’s Company, and gave the Watchword ‘God and Liberty.’” — Thomas Bullock¹

In April 1838, Joseph Smith received a revelation advising David W. Patten to settle his affairs in preparation for a mission the next spring; however, Patten did not serve this mission due to escalating conflicts in Missouri. As tensions rose between local Missourians and incoming Mormon settlers, violence erupted, and Latter-day Saints formed militias for self-defense. Patten, known as "Captain Fear Not," led the Mormon militia on a rescue mission in October 1838. On October 25, he led the charge as his company fought members of the Missouri state militia at the Battle of Crooked River, resulting in his fatal injury. Patten's sacrifice earned him the title of the first apostolic martyr. His curly maple wood percussion rifle is now housed in the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City, Utah.²

1. 25 October 1838, History, 1838–1856, volume B-1, josephsmithpapers.org

2. “David W. Patten’s Rifle, Watch, and Powder Horn,” history.churchofjesuschrist.org; Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 29, 343-345