Ezra Booth

Who is Ezra Booth?

Ezra Booth was an early member in the Latter Day Saint movement.

Booth had been a popular Methodist minister before going to Kirtland, Ohio with John and Alice Johnson in 1831. After witnessing Joseph Smith, Jr. healing Elsa's arm, Booth became a convert and was baptized and ordained an elder in May 1831, and later was ordained to be a high priest by Lyman Wight on June 3, 1831.

On June 6, 1831, Booth was called to go to Missouri with Isaac Morley and "preach[] the word by the way." Booth began his mission by preaching the Book of Mormon to a large audience in Bates Corners, Norton Township, Ohio in June 1831. On August 4, 1831, Booth was one of fourteen elders attending the a “Special Conference” in Kaw township, Jackson County, Missouri, “held by special commandment of the Lord” called by Joseph Smith Jr.

On September 6, 1831, Booth was "silenced from preaching as an Elder" by Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery and others. The Prophet Joseph Smith expressed that this was because of Booth's dissension towards the leaders of the Church, and his apparent lack of humility. A prophecy by Smith came a few days later, and stated that

I, the Lord, was angry with him who was my servant Ezra Booth, and also my servant Isaac Morley, for they kept not the law, neither the commandment; they sought evil in their hearts… They condemned for evil that thing in which there was no evil; nevertheless I have forgiven my servant Isaac Morley.