Stephen Burnett

(1813–85)

Stephen Burnett was born in Trumbull County, Ohio. He was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in late 1830. The following June, he was ordained a teacher. In October 1831, he was ordained an elder by John Whitmer and a high priest by Oliver Cowdery. In January 1832, he married Lamira Gardner. That same month, he was called by revelation to “be united in the ministry” with Ruggles Eames (Doctrine and Covenants 75:30, 35). Another revelation in 1832 appointed him to preach the gospel with Eden Smith (Doctrine and Covenants 80). Burnett served missions to the eastern United States, including New Hampshire, between 1832 and 1834, and was president of the Church conference in Bath, New Hampshire, in the summer of 1833. His correspondence with a Campbellite minister was published in the Church’s publication Elders’ Journal in 1837. By 1838, however, he had left the Church.

References in the Doctrine and Covenants

Doctrine and Covenants 75, 80

Additional Information

Biographical facts and sources, The Joseph Smith Papers