Editing Messenger and Advocate (section)

==History==
The ''Messenger and Advocate'' was established after a mob had destroyed the printing press of ''The Evening and the Morning Star'' in [[Independence, Missouri]], on July 20, 1833, causing the ''Star'' to relocate to Kirtland. After a brief run, the ''Star'' was discontinued in favor of a uniquely Ohio newspaper, the ''Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate''. [[Oliver Cowdery]] served as editor and the first issue was printed in October 1834.<ref>Cowdery, Oliver, "[http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/7160/show/7001 Address]," ''Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate'', October 1834, pp. 1–2.</ref>

The May 1835 issue was the last with Cowdery as editor, because there was "other business and other duties, in which my services are requisite." [[John Whitmer]] replaced Cowdery as editor.<ref>Cowdery, Oliver, "[http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/7160/show/7092  Address to the Patrons of the Messenger and Advocate]," ''Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate'', May 1835, pp. 120–22.</ref> Whitmer may have been heavily assisted in his duties by [[W. W. Phelps (Mormon)|W. W. Phelps]].<ref>Crawley, Peter, (1997) ''A Descriptive Bibliography of the Mormon Church, Volume One 1830-1847'', pp. 47.</ref>

In March 1836, Cowdery again became editor when both Whitmer and Phelps returned to Missouri. Cowdery's brother [[Warren A. Cowdery|Warren]] claimed that he was actually performing the editorial duties.<ref>Cowdery, W. A., "[http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/7468/show/7461 Valedictory]," ''Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate'', September 1837, p. 569.</ref> In February 1837, the printing press was sold to [[Joseph Smith]] and [[Sidney Rigdon]], and Warren Cowdery became the editor. The last issue was published in September 1837 after LDS Church leaders became dissatisfied with Warren Cowdery's efforts. In October 1837 the newspaper was succeeded by the ''Elders' Journal''.<ref>Rigdon, Sidney, "[http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/7468/show/7462  Prospectus]," ''Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate'', September 1837, p. 571–74.</ref>