“Behold, the work which you are called to do is to write for my servant Joseph.” — Doctrine and Covenants 9:4¹

Oliver Cowdery was born on October 3, 1806, in Wells, Vermont. He worked as a store clerk and later became a school teacher in Manchester County, New York.² He often boarded with his students' families, and after hearing about Joseph Smith Jr and the gold plates, he asked to live with Lucy Mack, Joseph Smith Sr., and their family. There, he learned more about their son and his divine calling.³ Oliver prayed to know if what he'd heard was true and received a vision of the gold plates and Joseph translating them—and he knew he should volunteer to be Joseph's scribe.⁴

While working as a scribe, Oliver wanted to be able to translate as well. Joseph brought the desire to the Lord, who told Oliver that he had the power if he asked in faith and confirmed that Oliver's divining rod, which Oliver had used before, worked by the power of God.⁵

Joseph and Oliver were the first to be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood (by John the Baptist)⁶ and Melchizedek Priesthood (by Peter, James, and John).⁷ Oliver was also one of the Three Witnesses who saw the gold plates and an angel.⁸

1. Doctrine and Covenants 9:4

2. "Cowdery, Oliver," josephsmithpapers.org

3. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 6, 58-59

4. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 6, 59-62

5. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 6, 62-63

6. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 7, 66-68

7. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 8, 84

8. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 7, 73-74