Who is John Bernhisel? Find out why you’ve likely never heard of this influential early member of the church. Bruce Worthen joins us to share insights from his new book: Mormon Envoy: The Diplomatic Legacy of Dr. John Milton Bernhisel. From poor Western Pennsylvania roots to his aristocratic connections, his varied experiences made him a unique leader. He had a close relationship with Joseph Smith, and lived in the Smith home. Later on in Utah, he had a unique relationship with Brigham Young and served as the Utah delegate to the United States congress. Listen in to learn more about this remarkable man:
- When Joseph Smith said, “I am going like a lamb to slaughter” he was speaking directly to John Bernhisel.”
- Bernhisel was a founding member of the Council of Fifty.
- Bernhisel was the only person to become a spiritually sealed son to Joseph Smith in the Nauvoo Temple under the “Law of Adoption.”
- After Joseph Smith’s death, Emma Smith allowed Bernhisel to examine the manuscript of her late husband’s “New Translation” of the Bible.
- John Bernhisel warned Brigham Young not to publicize the official nature of Polygamy lest it incur the wrath of Congress.
- Bernhisel went behind enemy lines during the Utah War to gather information on Johnston’s Army for the Nauvoo Legion.
- Bernhisel was Utah Territory’s chief negotiator with President James Buchannan during the Utah War.
- Bernhisel negotiated with every American President from Zachary Taylor to Abraham Lincoln on behalf of the Latter-day Saints.
Bruce Worthen became interested in history as a teenager growing up in San Jose, California. His plans to get a PhD in history were temporarily sidetracked by an opportunity to become a computer programmer. After wandering in the wilderness of computer science for forty years (literally forty years) Bruce returned to school and received his PhD in History from the University of Utah in 2018. His now an independent scholar publishing about the history of the American West. Mormon Envoy is his first book. He resides in South Jordan, Utah and spends his spare time following the Utah Jazz and flying a 1967 Mooney single engine plane.
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