| Brother of Joseph Smith Sr., stake high council,
stake president, Patriarch to the Church. |
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| Born |
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July 16, 1781 in Derryfield [now Manchester], Rockingham
County, New Hampshire |
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Sketch of Uncle John |
| Died |
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May 23, 1854 in Salt Lake City, Utah |
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| Father |
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Asael Smith |
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| Mother |
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Mary Duty |
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| Uncle John |
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Brother of Joseph Smith Sr., often referred to as "Uncle
John." |
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¶ |
[George A. Smith:] In the fall of 1828, my <Grand> father received <by letter> from his Brother <my Uncle> Joseph Smith <Senr.> second Son of Asael & Mary Smith, by Letter, the information that his Son Joseph had had several remarkable visions—My Grandfather was then living in <Stockholm, St Lawrence> the County, with four <also three> of his Sons, <Jesse,> Asa<h>el, & Silas. and my father:—the old Gentleman said, that he always knew that God was goihng to raise up some branch of his family to be a great benefit of <to> mankind, but my Uncles rediculed Joseph's visions. |
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George A., 2–3. |
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¶ |
Soon after, a letter was received from Joseph <Smith> Junr in which he declared, that the sword of vengeance from <of the> the Almighty hung over this generation, & that except they repented, * obeyed the Gospel, and turned from their wicked ways, humbling themselves before the Lord, it would fall upon the wicked, & sweep them from the earth <as> with the besom of destruction. |
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¶ |
[3] This letter made a deep impression upon my mind and my father <said,> remarked that Cousin Joseph wrote like a "prophet" |
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| Joseph Sr. and Don Carlos visit |
¶ |
[George A. Smith:] In the month of August 1830, my uncle
Joseph Smith [Sr.], and his youngest son, Don Carlos, came to my father's
on a visit, bringing with them some Books of Mormon. My father [John] had not
seen his brother for about eighteen years … As my uncle was in greate
haste to see his father [Asael], my father took a wagon and carried them to Stockholm,
about twelve miles, where my grandfather and uncles resided. |
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Also see Lucy, 481–484 for John's diary account of the meeting. |
| Asael, Jesse |
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Asael welcomes the news, but Uncle Jesse is hostile. John is skeptical. |
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| Expelled from Congregational Church |
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January 1, 1832 expelled from the Congregational Church
of Potsdam, New York, after 17 years of membership for believing in the
Book of Mormon. |
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George A., 4. |
| Baptized |
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January 9, 1832 baptized by Solomon Humphrey. |
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George A., 4–5 // Lucy, 585–586. |
| Elder |
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Ordained an elder by Joseph
Wakefield (and Solomon Humphrey). |
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WWJ 4:65 (Sept.
8, 1851). |
| New
York branches |
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Holds meetings and builds up small branches in St. Lawrence
and Jefferson counties. |
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Sketch of Uncle John |
| Move
to Kirtland |
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May 1833 moves family to Kirtland. |
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George A., 4. |
High priest
Overturns excommunication of Doctor Hurlbut
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June 21, 1833 ordained a high priest in order to participate
as a member of the president's council that overturns excommunication of
Doctor Hurlbut by the bishop's council. |
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Minutes of June 3, 1833
Minutes of June 21, 1833 |
| High council |
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February 17, 1834 named to first high council. |
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Minutes
of February 17, 1834 |
| Lives in Norton, defends Joseph |
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August 23, 1834 member of Norton, Ohio, church; certifies
he is "perfectly satisfied" with Joseph Smith's behavior on
Zion's Camp. |
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Minutes of August
23, 1834 |
| It is true. Humble yourself. |
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[October 19, 1834 to Elias Smith (brother):] I
tell you in the fear of God that these things are true as the Lord lives,
and I would that you would search out these things for yourself, for
I know that it [is] within your reach if you are willing to humble yourself
before the Lord, as you must … or you cannot enter in the kingdom
of God. |
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Qtd. in Lost Legacy, 111. |
| 1835 D&C |
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August 17, 1835 takes the place of David
Whitmer in endorsing
the 1835 D&C at the General Assembly in Kirtland. No reason is given
why David, who is still president of the high council in Zion, does not
speak (it is not known of he attends). |
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Minutes of August
17, 1835 |
| Mission departure |
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June 22, 1836 leaves Kirtland with Clarissa,
Joseph Sr. and Joseph Jr. on a mission to the East. At Painesville, "we
procured a bottle of wine, broke bread, ate and drank, and parted after
the ancient order with the blessings of God." John and Joseph Sr.
visit branches in Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Ohio
with Joseph Sr., returning November 5, 1836. |
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HC 2:446–447.
Sketch of Uncle John
See Lucy, 607–608.
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| Warns out justice of the peace |
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November 7, 1836 signs "warning out" directed
at the Kirtland justice of the peace. Other signers are Joseph Smith
Jr. and Sr.,
Oliver Cowdery, Sidney
Rigdon, Frederick G. Williams,
John Smith, Brigham Young, William Smith,
Parley P. Pratt (h), and dozens of others. |
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Origins, 91, 331n43. |
| Kirtland Safety Society |
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[1836–1837] purchases 500 shares of Kirtland Safety
Society stock for $131.25. |
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Kirtland economy, 79. |
| Assistant counselor |
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September 3, 1837 appointed assistant counselor to the First Presidency, as are Joseph Sr., Hyrum, and John Smith. The First Presidency and four assistants are "to
be concidred the heads of the Church." |
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Minutes
of September 3, 1837 |
| Excommunications |
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[January 1, 1838 to George A. Smith:] I called the High
Council together last week and laid before them the case of dissenters,
28 persons were, upon mature discussion cut off from the Church. … We
have cut off between 40 and 50 from the Church since you left. Thus you
will see the Church has taken a mighty pruning and we think she will rise
in the greatness of her strength, and I rejoice, for the Lord is good and
He will cut his work short in righteousness. … I will rejoice for
the Lord will purify His Church. |
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Qtd. in Lost Legacy, 112. |
| Adam-ondi-Ahman stake president |
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June 28, 1838 named stake president at the organization
of the Adam-ondi-Ahman stake. Reynolds Cahoon and Lyman Wight counselors. |
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Elders Journal, vol.
1 no. 4 (August 1838), 60–61; HC 3:38. |
| Warns out dissidents |
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June 18, 1838 signs document warning out Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and John Whitmer, Lyman
E. Johnson, and William W. Phelps,
lest a "fatal calamity shall
befall you." |
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| Danites |
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July attends Danite meetings. |
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| Peace agreement |
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August 9, 1838 Joseph, John Smith, Reynods Cahoon, Lyman Wight, and Vinson Knight, and others sign peace agreement with judge and state senator-elect
Joseph Morin, state representative-elect John Williams, circuit
court clerk James B. Turner, and Jacob B. Rogers, and perhaps others at
Adam-ondi-Ahman. Mormon signators include Uncle John's counselors, Lyman
Wight and Reynolds Cahoon, Joseph Smith, and acting bishop Vinson Knight. |
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Scriptory, 301.
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| Evacuation planning |
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January 26, 1839 as the only member of the First Presidency
not jailed at Liberty, Uncle John chairs the first and subsequent evacuation
planning meetings in Far West. |
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HC 3:249–251, 254–255 |
| To consecrate or not? |
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[December 1839:] Pres. [Hyrum] Smith delivered a lengthy
speech showing the folly of trying to keep the law of the Lord until Zion
is redeemed. Returned home the next day, December 16, tinking that I would
search prayerfully the Doctrine and Covenants and learn the will of the
Lord concerning the consecration of property & taking care of the poor
and needy, the widow etc. … I can see no other way only in the honest
consecration of property that we may be Stewards of the Lord according
to his law. |
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John Smith Journal (George A. Smith Collection, University
of Utah), December 15, 1839, qtd. in Lost Legacy113. |
| Lee County, Iowa stake |
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1839 stake president, Lee County,
Iowa. |
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| January 4, 1840 |
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January 4, 1840 after meeting with Hyrum Smith and Oliver
Granger, they were: "pleased with our resolution to observe the law of
consecration but since that time they have seemed to operate against all
our proceedings" |
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John Smith Journal, January 4, 1840, qtd.
in Lost Legacy, 113. |
| Macedonia, Illinois stake president |
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1843 branch president,
Macedonia, Illinois. |
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| Council of Fifty |
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1843 member, Council of Fifty |
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| Stake Patriarch |
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January 10, 1844 ordained stake patriarch by Joseph Smith. |
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Lost Legacy, 114. |
| Exodus from Nauvoo |
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March 27, 1846 captain of second company of 100, Camp of
Israel, en route to Winter Quarters. Parley P. Pratt and Peter Haws captains
of fifties. |
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1:144. |
| Salt Lake Stake president |
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August 22, 1847 called as first president of the Salt Lake
Stake |
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Lost Legacy, 115. |
| Presides over Utah church |
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1847–1848 Presides over the church
in Utah in Brigham's absence. |
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| Patriarch over the church |
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October 8, 1848 released as stake president, sustained as
"Patriarch over the whole Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," after
First Presidency and before the Twelve. John wrote, "I was released from
my Presidency [of the Salt Lake Stake] and appointed Patriarch over the
Church and President over the Patriarchal Priesthood." |
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Journal history, October 8, 1848 (misidentified as MH-C
in Lost Legacy,121n50.
John Smith Journal, n.d., qtd. in Lost Legacy, 115. |
| Ordination blessing |
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[January 1, 1849 blessing by Brigham Young:] … & we
say unto thee receive all the keys and authority pertaining to this calling
that thou mayest be a Presiding Officer over this Priesthood. |
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Typescript of blessing in Eldred
G. Smith papers, qtd. in Lost Legacy, 108. |
| Church career |
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[September 8, 1851 (Monday) General conference address:]
I rejoice to Have the privilege of Speaking to you. I have Been in the
work since Jan 1832 And am about the oldest man here. I was ordained an
Elder under the Hands of Joseph Wakefield. The Smith family w3as Chosen
to bring forth this work. My team Halled the first load of Stone to build
the kirtland temple. My Son George A Drove the team. There was 4 Brothers
[of] us in the stand in kirtland. I am now left alone. I was in Jail with
Joseph & Hiram the night Before they were killed. Next day 3 guns were
snapped at me. [66] I Could not weep for a long time. When I did weep I
wept much. I have laboured much from that [day] untill this to keep things
right. It is the little Foxes that spoil the vines. We have A Prophet for
a leader now pay your tithe & make good measure when you sell any thing,
& fuilfill all your covenants if made right we shall then prosper in this
valley. |
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WWJ 4:65. |
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Families |
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| Wife |
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Clarissa Lyman b.
June 27, 1790 in Lebanon, Grafton,
NH
md. Sept 11, 1815 in Potsdam, St. Lawrence,
NY
d. Feb. 26, 1854 in Salt Lake City |
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| Children |
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George Albert, b. June 26, 1817 in Potsdam,
St. Lawrence, NY
md. Bathsheba W. Bigler, July 25, 1841 in
Nauvoo
md. Nancy Clements
md. Lucy Meserve
md. Zilpha Start
md. Hanna Maria
md. Sarah Ann Libby
md. Susan Elizabeth West
d. September 1, 1875 in Salt
Lake City
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Caroline Clara, b. June 6, 1820 in Potsdam,
St. Lawrence, NY
md. Thomas Callister, August 31, 1845 in
Nauvoo
d. January 8, 1895 in Ogden, Weber, UT
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John Lyman, b. November 17, 1823 in Potsdam,
St. Lawrence, NY
md. Augusta Bowen Cleveland, July 9, 1845
md. Mary Adelia Haight
md. Julia Haight
d. Feb. 27, 1893 in St.
George, Washington, UT
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| Wife |
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Mary Aikin Smith (widow of John's brother,
Silas, for time)
md. Jan, 15, 1846 |
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All plural marrages, Lost Legacy, 114. |
| Wife |
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Ann Carr
md. Jan. 15, 1846 |
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| Wife |
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Miranda Jones
md. Jan. 15, 1846 |
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| Wife |
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Sarah Kinsley
md. Jan. 15, 1846 |
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| Wife |
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Aseneth Hubert
md. Jan. 24, 1846 |
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| Wife |
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Rebecca Smith
md. Jan. 24, 1846 |
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| Wife |
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Julia Hills [Johnson]
md. Jan. 24, 1846 |
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The Royal Smith Lineage
Biographies
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