# Benjamin Winchester

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**Benjamin Winchester** (August 6, 1817 – January 25, 1901) was an early leader in the [Latter Day Saint movement](/source/Latter_Day_Saint_movement). Winchester was the youngest adult member of [Zion's Camp](/source/Zion's_Camp), an original member of the first [Quorum of the Seventy](/source/Seventy_(Latter_Day_Saints)), editor of the first independent [Mormon](/source/Mormon) periodical, the *[Gospel Reflector](/source/Gospel_Reflector)*, [president](/source/Branch_president) of a large [branch](/source/Branch_(Mormonism)) of the church in [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia), a zealous [missionary](/source/Mormon_missionary) who baptized thousands, a [Rigdonite](/source/Rigdonite) [Apostle](/source/Apostle_(Mormonism)), and ultimately a dissenter who repudiated Mormonism altogether.[citation needed]

The *Gospel Reflector* was published in Philadelphia, twice a month, between January 1, 1841, and June 15, 1841. Winchester moved to [Nauvoo, Illinois](/source/Nauvoo,_Illinois), in October 1841 where he worked at the *[Times and Seasons](/source/Times_and_Seasons)* until January 1842.

Winchester also wrote pamphlets and two significant books on Latter Day Saint topics. His [*Synopsis of the Holy Scriptures, and Concordance*](https://archive.org/stream/synopsisofholysc01winc#page/n5/mode/2up), published in 1842, was the first categorization of Bible scriptures from a Mormon perspective and included a detailed analysis of the Christian apostasy. His *A Brief History of the Priesthood from the Beginning of the World to the Present Time*,[1] published in 1843, was the first book to focus on the topic of the Mormon [priesthood](/source/Priesthood_(Latter_Day_Saints)).

## References

1. ["A history of the priesthood from the beginning of the world to the present time written in defence of the doctrine and position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and also a brief treatise upon the fundamental sentiments, particularly tho"](https://archive.org/details/historyofpriesth03winc). Philadelphia Brown, Bicking. 1843.

- Benjamin Winchester (ed.), *The Gospel Reflector*, reprint of the original 1841 Philadelphia edition by Richard Drew for the [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)](/source/Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter_Day_Saints_(Strangite)), 1993.
- Elizabeth Proctor Kiddle *et alia* (ed.), *The Family of Auer Winchester Proctor*, Provo, Utah: 1978.
- David J. Whittaker, *Early Mormon Pamphleteering*, [BYU Studies](/source/BYU_Studies), 2003.
- [*The Gospel Reflector*](http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/6029) (PDF scans), L. Tom Perry Special Collections, [Harold B. Lee Library](/source/Harold_B._Lee_Library), [Brigham Young University](/source/Brigham_Young_University).

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