Mary Musselman Whitmer
1778–1856

“I have heard my grandmother (Mary Musselman Whitmer) say on several occasions that she was shown the plates of the Book of Mormon by a holy angel, whom she always called Brother Nephi. (She most likely was referring to Moroni. The angel Moroni, who was in charge of the plates, was a Nephite.)”

— John C. Whitmer in 1878

Timeline

August 27, 1778: Mary Elsa Musselman born in Germany to Jacob and Elizabeth Musselman
Late-18th century: She immigrates to Pennsylvania.
 

Biography

Mary and Peter Whitmer moved to Waterloo, New York, in 1809, and later purchased a farm in Fayette, New York. They had eight children.
 

Statements

“I have not the least doubt of her statement in regard to seeing the plates being strictly true. She was a strong believer in the Book of Mormon until the day of her death.”

Article: “Another Account of Mary Whitmer’s Viewing of the Golden Plates”

By Royal Skousen in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship Vol 10 (2014).