John Smith (1781

Mormon History 1830-1844

John Smith (1781–1854)

Brother of Joseph Smith Sr., stake high council, stake president, Patriarch to the Church.

Born		July 16, 1781 in Derryfield [now Manchester], Rockingham County, New Hampshire	Sketch of Uncle John
Died		May 23, 1854 in Salt Lake City, Utah
Father		Asael Smith
Mother		Mary Duty
Uncle John		Brother of Joseph Smith Sr., often referred to as "Uncle John."
	¶	[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.	George A., 2–3.
	¶	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.
	¶	[3] This letter made a deep impression upon my mind and my father <said,> remarked that ~~Cousin~~ Joseph wrote like a "prophet"
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.	Also see Lucy, 481–484 for John's diary account of the meeting.
Asael, Jesse		Asael welcomes the news, but Uncle Jesse is hostile. John is skeptical.
Expelled from Congregational Church		January 1, 1832 expelled from the Congregational Church of Potsdam, New York, after 17 years of membership for believing in the Book of Mormon.	George A., 4.
Baptized		January 9, 1832 baptized by Solomon Humphrey.	George A., 4–5 // Lucy, 585–586.
Elder		Ordained an elder by Joseph Wakefield (and Solomon Humphrey).	WWJ 4:65 (Sept. 8, 1851).
New York branches		Holds meetings and builds up small branches in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties.	Sketch of Uncle John
Move to Kirtland		May 1833 moves family to Kirtland.	George A., 4.
High priest Overturns excommunication of Doctor Hurlbut		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.	Minutes of June 3, 1833 Minutes of June 21, 1833
High council		February 17, 1834 named to first high council.	Minutes of February 17, 1834
Lives in Norton, defends Joseph		August 23, 1834 member of Norton, Ohio, church; certifies he is "perfectly satisfied" with Joseph Smith's behavior on Zion's Camp.	Minutes of August 23, 1834
It is true. Humble yourself.		[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.	Qtd. in Lost Legacy, 111.
1835 D&C		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).	Minutes of August 17, 1835
Mission departure		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.	HC 2:446–447. Sketch of Uncle John See Lucy, 607–608.
Warns out justice of the peace		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.	Origins, 91, 331n43.
Kirtland Safety Society		[1836–1837] purchases 500 shares of Kirtland Safety Society stock for $131.25.	Kirtland economy, 79.
Assistant counselor		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."	Minutes of September 3, 1837
Excommunications		[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.	Qtd. in Lost Legacy, 112.
Adam-ondi-Ahman stake president		June 28, 1838 named stake president at the organization of the Adam-ondi-Ahman stake. Reynolds Cahoon and Lyman Wight counselors.	Elders Journal, vol. 1 no. 4 (August 1838), 60–61; HC 3:38.
Warns out dissidents		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."
Danites		July attends Danite meetings.
Peace agreement		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.	Scriptory, 301.
Evacuation planning		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.	HC 3:249–251, 254–255
To consecrate or not?		[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.	John Smith Journal (George A. Smith Collection, University of Utah), December 15, 1839, qtd. in Lost Legacy113.
Lee County, Iowa stake		1839 stake president, Lee County, Iowa.
January 4, 1840		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"	John Smith Journal, January 4, 1840, qtd. in Lost Legacy, 113.
Macedonia, Illinois stake president		1843 branch president, Macedonia, Illinois.
Council of Fifty		1843 member, Council of Fifty
Stake Patriarch		January 10, 1844 ordained stake patriarch by Joseph Smith.	Lost Legacy, 114.
Exodus from Nauvoo		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.	1:144.
Salt Lake Stake president		August 22, 1847 called as first president of the Salt Lake Stake	Lost Legacy, 115.
Presides over Utah church		1847–1848 Presides over the church in Utah in Brigham's absence.
Patriarch over the church		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."	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		[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.	Typescript of blessing in Eldred G. Smith papers, qtd. in Lost Legacy, 108.
Church career		[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.	WWJ 4:65.

		Families
Wife		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
Children		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
		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
		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
Wife		Mary Aikin Smith (widow of John's brother, Silas, for time) md. Jan, 15, 1846	All plural marrages, Lost Legacy, 114.
Wife		Ann Carr md. Jan. 15, 1846
Wife		Miranda Jones md. Jan. 15, 1846
Wife		Sarah Kinsley md. Jan. 15, 1846
Wife		Aseneth Hubert md. Jan. 24, 1846
Wife		Rebecca Smith md. Jan. 24, 1846
Wife		Julia Hills [Johnson] md. Jan. 24, 1846
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