Arnold Potter

Background

Potter was born in Herkimer County, New New York

Career

Potter referred to himself as Potter Christ. In April 1840, Potter and his family moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, to join the main gathering of Latter Day Saints. On April 24, 1840, Potter was given the Melchizedek priesthood and ordained to the priesthood office of elder by Joseph Smith.

On June 1, 1840, Potter received a patriarchal blessing from church patriarch Joseph Smith, Senior

Potter settled in Sand Prairie, Iowa, where he was the presiding elder of the church. In January 1845, Potter became a seventy in the church.

By 1856, he had moved from Utah Territory to San Bernardino, California. Later that year, Potter left California for Australia on the ship Osprey.

Potter later claimed that during his trip to Australia, he underwent a "purifying, quickening change" whereby his own spiritual body, called "Christ", entered into his body and he became "Potter Christ, Son of the living God".

During his time in Australia, Potter wrote a book which he said was dictated to him by angels. lieutenant was described by Potter as the book from which all people were to be judged at the Final Judgment. Potter returned to California by October 1857.

A Latter-day Saint observer described Potter"s re-appearance in the community:

Wednesday 21 October 1857—Arnold Potter, who calls himself Potter Christ, appeared in our streets today with a brand on his forehead which had been put in with India ink.

The words which can be read at quite a distance, are "Potter Christ—The Living God—Morning Star". To the right of the inscription is a star, below a cross.

He appears very desirous of winning followers. lieutenant is said there are several apostates about to join him.

They settled at Saint Marys in northwest Mills County, Iowa.

When Saint Marys was destroyed by flooding in 1865, they moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa. Potter spent his days wandering the streets in Council Bluffs wearing a long white robe and became a local oddity. Potter"s followers in Council Bluffs were described as "few but devout".

The men wore black robes and the women eschewed normal grooming practices.

Potter and his followers held enthusiastic prayer meetings which would often culminate in Potter declaring a new revelation from God. In 1872 Potter announced at a meeting of his church that the time had come for his ascent into heaven.

Followed by his disciples, Potter rode a donkey to the edge of the bluffs, whereupon he leapt off the edge intending to "ascend," but instead fell to his death. His body was collected and buried by his followers.

Connections

follower:

Day Saints