Independence, MO
Traveling with Hyrum Smith, M'Lellin left Independence for Tennessee and then for Kirtland. He finally met Joseph Smith on October 25, 1831. Joseph Smith received a revelation in his behalf on October 25, 1831 in which M'Lellin was instructed to take a Mission to the Eastern States with Samuel H. Smith. Although he did preach in Pennsylvania, the mission short-lived because of disobedience and sickness.
The Lord, however, is long-suffering and again appointed M'Lellin by revelation received on January 25, 1832 to preach in the Southern States. He traveled as far as Middlebury, Ohio where he preached a sermon, but did not continue on his mission because of illness but remained in Ohio until April when he married Emeline Miller in Hiram, Ohio.
M'Lellin left Ohio for Independence, Missouri He was appointed a high councilor in Clay County in 1834 but was appointed to return to Ohio with Joseph Smith July 1834. Arriving back in Kirtland, he taught in the School of Elders.
M'Lellin was ordained an Apostle on February 15, 1835, the only member of the original Twelve of the restoration who was not a veteran of Zion's Camp. Nevertheless, by summer of that year, he had been disfellowshipped for an insult which he had leveled at the School of the Elders and the way which Joseph and the Brethren had conducted the school. After a full confession and evidence of repentance M'Lellin was restored to full fellowship. Still the spirit of rebellion afflicted him and in 1836 publicly opposed Church leaders in 1838 at Far West, Missouri.
William E. M'Lellin was excommunicated for apostasy where he took up the practice of medicine and took an active part in the persecution of the Saints, robbing, pilfering, and threatening them in their person and their property.
This vile apostate attempted to organize a new Church in Kirtland in January of 1847. He failed. He then joined the Hedrickites on June 5,1869 but failed to find there that which he sought. He left the Hedrickites November 3,1869. His wife joined the Reorganized LDS Church and the family moved to Independence in 1870. He spent the remainder of his life trying to get David Whitmer to organize a new Church.
