David Wyman Patten (*November 14, 1799 in Theresa, New York; † October 25, 1838 in Missouri). He was a leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and an original member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. David Patten was the son of Benenio (Benoni) Patten and Abigale Edith Cole, and was born in Theresa, New York. He originally settled near Dundee, Michigan and, in 1828, married Phoebe Ann Babcock. They had no children.

In May 1832, David Patten learned of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in a letter from his brother John, who had joined the new church. David traveled to Indiana to investigate the church and was baptized by John Patten on June 15, 1832. Patten spent several years as a missionary in the surrounding areas, establishing numerous branches of the church during his journeys. David Patten became one of the original apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on February 15, 1835, receiving his ordination from Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris, jointly known as the Three Witnesses. In late 1836, Patten settled in Far West, Missouri. He was named as Assistant President of the LDS church in Missouri, in association with Thomas B. Marsh, President, and Brigham Young, Assistant President, on April 6, 1838.

Patten died October 25, 1838 in the Battle of Crooked River. Many historians believe the Battle was primarily due to deteriorating conditions between Mormon settlers and other religious groups in Missouri. But, this and subsequent events may have been triggered by dissention within the Mormon leadership and the swearing of a false affidavit by Apostles Thomas B. Marsh and Orson Hyde. The Battle took place along the banks of Crooked River in northern Ray County, Missouri, between mob forces under the command of Methodist minister Samuel Bogart and a section of the Caldwell County militia of Missouri (all Mormons). The militia was attempting to rescue three Latter-day Saints who had been taken prisoner in Ray County. There were 16 casualties and 4 fatalities, among them Patten, who was serving as commander of the Mormon militia group. The Battle was followed shortly by an Extermination Order issued by the Missouri governor and the Haun's Mill Massacre. These events ultimately resulted in the expulsion of the Saints from Missouri.

Reference

• Ludlow, Daniel H., Editor. Church History, Selections From the Encyclopedia of Mormonism. Deseret Book Co., Salt Lake City, UT, 1992. ISBN 0-87579-924-8.