Reynolds Cahoon's Son Named 'Mahonri Moriancumer' — Joseph Smith Reveals the Hidden Name of the Brother of Jared

Reynolds Cahoon (1790–1861) was one of the earliest and most faithful members of the Church, baptized in 1830 in Kirtland, Ohio. He served faithfully through some of the most tumultuous years of the early Restoration — from the founding of the Church through the pioneering of the Salt Lake Valley.

While residing in Kirtland, Cahoon had a son born to him. One day, when President Joseph Smith was passing his door, Cahoon called the Prophet in and asked him to bless and name the baby. Joseph did so and gave the boy the unusual name of Mahonri Moriancumer.

When the blessing was finished, he laid the child on the bed. Those present asked Joseph where that name came from. He replied: 'The name I have given your son is the name of the Brother of Jared; the Lord has just shown it to me.'

This remarkable moment represents one of the most specific and verifiable instances of hidden knowledge revealed through the Prophet. In the Book of Mormon, the Brother of Jared is never named in the text — yet through prophetic revelation, Joseph Smith disclosed the actual name of this great ancient prophet: Mahonri Moriancumer. The child, Mahonri Moriancumer Cahoon, was born in 1834.

Reynolds Cahoon was also one of the workers who helped hand-dig the foundation of the Kirtland Temple alongside Hyrum Smith, and remained faithful throughout the Missouri persecutions, the Nauvoo period, and the pioneer trek to Utah. He stood as a loyal supporter of the Prophet Joseph until the martyrdom, and faithfully followed Brigham Young to the Salt Lake Valley.

Fuller account of this event (as retold in Brother of Jared (Kiwi)):

While residing in Kirtland Elder Reynolds Cahoon had a son born to him. One day when President Joseph Smith was passing his door he called the Prophet in and asked him to bless and name the baby. Joseph did so and gave the boy the name of Mahonri Moriancumer. When he had finished the blessing he laid the child on the bed, and turning to Elder Cahoon he said, the name I have given your son is the name of the Brother of Jared; the Lord has just shown [or revealed] it to me.

Fuller account of this event (as retold in Brother of Jared (Kiwi)):

While residing in Kirtland Elder Reynolds Cahoon had a son born to him. One day when President Joseph Smith was passing his door he called the Prophet in and asked him to bless and name the baby. Joseph did so and gave the boy the name of Mahonri Moriancumer. When he had finished the blessing he laid the child on the bed, and turning to Elder Cahoon he said, the name I have given your son is the name of the Brother of Jared; the Lord has just shown [or revealed] it to me.