Document stating that Christian Whitmer is a teacher of the Mormon Church : Fayette, Seneneca County, New York, 1830 Jun 9.Smith, Joseph, 1805-1844engADS by Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery dated June 9, 1830, stating that "License Liberty Power and Authority [is] given to Christian Whitmer signifying & proving that he is a Teacher of this Church of Christ established and regularly organized in these last days ..." The document also states that Whitmer was baptized and received into the Church according to the Articles of the Covenants of the Church and ordained under the hand of Oliver Cowdery, Second Elder of the ChurchJoseph Smith organized the Mormon Church on April 6, 1830, and was its leader until he was murdered in Carthage, Illinois, on June 27, 1844.Christian Whitmer (1798-1835) was one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, and held high Church offices until his death.