Arnold Potter facts for kids

Arnold Potter (born January 11, 1804 – died April 2, 1872) was a religious leader who believed he was a special messenger from God. He called himself Potter Christ. He led a group that separated from the main Latter Day Saint movement.

Arnold Potter's Life Story

Early Life and Joining the Church

Arnold Potter was born in Herkimer County, New York. When he was 19, he married Almira Smith. By 1835, Potter and his family had moved to Switzerland County, Indiana. In 1839, Potter and his family were baptized by missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

In April 1840, Potter and his family moved to Nauvoo, Illinois. This was where many Latter Day Saints were gathering. On April 24, 1840, Joseph Smith, the church's founder, gave Potter a special leadership role called the Melchizedek priesthood. He was also made an elder. Later, in June 1840, Potter received a special blessing from Joseph Smith Sr., who was a church leader. Potter settled in Sand Prairie, Iowa, where he led the local church group. In January 1845, Potter became a seventy in the church, another leadership position.

Moving West and a Special Journey

In 1848, Potter traveled to the Salt Lake Valley as one of the Mormon pioneers. These pioneers were people who moved west to settle in new lands. By 1856, he had moved from Utah Territory to San Bernardino, California. On March 16, 1856, Brigham Young, the church president, asked Potter to serve as a missionary in Australia. Later that year, Potter left California for Australia on a ship called Osprey.

Potter later said that during his trip to Australia, he experienced a big change. He believed that a spiritual part of himself, which he called "Christ," entered his body. From then on, he called himself "Potter Christ, Son of the living God." While in Australia, Potter wrote a book. He claimed that angels told him what to write. He said this book would be used to judge everyone at the Final Judgment.

Returning Home and New Beliefs

Potter returned to California by October 1857. People in the Latter-day Saint community noticed his return. One person described him:

• On October 21, 1857, Arnold Potter, who called himself Potter Christ, appeared in the streets.
• He had a mark on his forehead made with ink.
• The words on his forehead said: "Potter Christ—The Living God—Morning Star."
• Next to the words was a star, and below it was a cross.
• He seemed very eager to find people who would follow him.
• Some people who had left the church were said to be joining him.

By 1861, Potter and some of his followers left California. They wanted to settle near Independence, Missouri. This place was important to Latter Day Saints, who called it Zion. They settled in Saint Marys in northwest Mills County, Iowa. When Saint Marys was destroyed by a flood in 1865, they moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Life in Council Bluffs and Final Days

In Council Bluffs, Potter often walked the streets wearing a long white robe. He became a well-known and unusual sight in the town. Potter's followers in Council Bluffs were described as "few but devout," meaning they were small in number but very dedicated. The men wore black robes, and the women did not follow common grooming practices. Potter and his followers held lively prayer meetings. These meetings often ended with Potter announcing a new message he believed came from God.

In 1872, Potter told his church members that it was time for him to "ascend into heaven." With his followers watching, Potter rode a donkey to the edge of some bluffs. He then jumped off, believing he would go up to heaven. Instead, he fell to his death. His followers collected his body and buried him.