Hyrum G. Smith
Born: 8 July 1879
Called as Presiding Patriarch: 9 May 1912
Died: 4 February 1932
Called as Presiding Patriarch: 9 May 1912
Died: 4 February 1932
Conference TalksOct 1912 - Young people admonished to shun existing evils
Apr 1913 - Declaration that the Lord is pleased with His people Oct 1913 Apr 1914 Apr 1915 - Blessing and Benediction Apr 1916 - Celestial marriage - Word of Wisdom Apr 1917 - Testimony that the Lord lives Oct 1917 Apr 1918 Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 3, pg. 778
Image source: Improvement Era, March 1932
|
Image source: Wikipedia, public domain
Image source: Improvement Era, July 1912
|
Biographical Articles
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 3
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Improvement Era, July 1912, Hyrum Gibbs Smith, Presiding Patriarch
Improvement Era, March 1932, Hyrum Gibbs Smith
Instructor, March 1932, Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith
Relief Society Magazine, March 1932, Hyrum Gibbs Smith
Relief Society Magazine, March 1932, Hyrum Gibbs Smith
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Improvement Era, July 1912, Hyrum Gibbs Smith, Presiding Patriarch
Improvement Era, March 1932, Hyrum Gibbs Smith
Instructor, March 1932, Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith
Relief Society Magazine, March 1932, Hyrum Gibbs Smith
Relief Society Magazine, March 1932, Hyrum Gibbs Smith
Jenson, Andrew. "Smith, Hyrum G." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 3. pg. 778-779.
SMITH, Hyrum Gibbs, presiding Patriarch of the Church, was born July 8, 1879, in South Jordan, Salt Lake county, Utah, the son of Hyrum Fisher Smith and Annie M. Gibbs. He was blessed and named by his grandfather, Patriarch John Smith, Oct. 14, 1879. When about a year old his parents moved to Snake river, Idaho, to seek and make a new home. Later they located at Portage, Box Elder county, Utah, where his father engaged in farming and horse raising. When Hyrum G. was seven years old the family moved to Hoytsville, Summit county, where he spent fifteen years of his boyhood days upon the farm and range, herding, fishing and swimming in the mountain streams. hunting and riding in the mountain ranges and assisting his father in his ranch business. He graduated from the public schools in 1896 and after being baptized in August, 1891, he attended faithfully to his duties in the lesser Priesthood and the auxiliary organizations. In 1897 he entered the Brigham Young Academy (now University) at Provo, taking a three years' normal course. After that he taught in the public schools of Wasatch, Summit and Utah counties, following this profession successfully for seven years. During this time he was also active in Church work. In 1902 he acted in the superintendency of the Summit Stake Sunday schools and locally was diligent in Religion Class work. He was ordained to the office of an Elder, Seventy and High Priest successively. In 1904 (Aug. 17th) he married Martha Gee (daughter of George W. Gee and Sophina A. Fuller), who was born at Provo April 28, 1883. This marriage has been blessed with six children, namely, Cleone, Eldred Gee, Helen, Miriam, Barden Gee and Hyrum Gee. In October, 1908, Bro. Smith left Utah for Los Angeles to pursue a course in dentistry in the University of Southern California, and was also set apart to do missionary labor as time and opportunity would permit. He acted as superintendent of the Los Angeles branch Sunday school two years and as president of the branch Y. M. M. I. A. one year. In September, 1911, he was appointed to preside over the Los Angeles branch of the Church and was laboring in this capacity when he called to be Presiding Patriarch of the Church, to succeed his grandfather, the late Patriarch John Smith. He was graduated from the University of Southern California June 15, 1911, with high honors in the college of dentistry, receiving a gold medal, offered by the department of operative technique, which was one of four medals offered by the school. After graduating he practiced his profession with success until May, 1912, when he was chosen as Presiding Patriarch of the Church. He was ordained to this high and holy calling May 9, 1912, by President Joseph F. Smith in the Salt Lake Temple. Brother Smith is a man of pleasing address and pronounced spirituality, whose sympathies go out for young and old in a way that ensures him the sincere love and respect of the people. He is a great-grandson of the martyred Patriarch Hyrum Smith and the fourth direct descendent of the first Patriarch of the Church (Joseph Smith senior).
SMITH, Hyrum Gibbs, presiding Patriarch of the Church, was born July 8, 1879, in South Jordan, Salt Lake county, Utah, the son of Hyrum Fisher Smith and Annie M. Gibbs. He was blessed and named by his grandfather, Patriarch John Smith, Oct. 14, 1879. When about a year old his parents moved to Snake river, Idaho, to seek and make a new home. Later they located at Portage, Box Elder county, Utah, where his father engaged in farming and horse raising. When Hyrum G. was seven years old the family moved to Hoytsville, Summit county, where he spent fifteen years of his boyhood days upon the farm and range, herding, fishing and swimming in the mountain streams. hunting and riding in the mountain ranges and assisting his father in his ranch business. He graduated from the public schools in 1896 and after being baptized in August, 1891, he attended faithfully to his duties in the lesser Priesthood and the auxiliary organizations. In 1897 he entered the Brigham Young Academy (now University) at Provo, taking a three years' normal course. After that he taught in the public schools of Wasatch, Summit and Utah counties, following this profession successfully for seven years. During this time he was also active in Church work. In 1902 he acted in the superintendency of the Summit Stake Sunday schools and locally was diligent in Religion Class work. He was ordained to the office of an Elder, Seventy and High Priest successively. In 1904 (Aug. 17th) he married Martha Gee (daughter of George W. Gee and Sophina A. Fuller), who was born at Provo April 28, 1883. This marriage has been blessed with six children, namely, Cleone, Eldred Gee, Helen, Miriam, Barden Gee and Hyrum Gee. In October, 1908, Bro. Smith left Utah for Los Angeles to pursue a course in dentistry in the University of Southern California, and was also set apart to do missionary labor as time and opportunity would permit. He acted as superintendent of the Los Angeles branch Sunday school two years and as president of the branch Y. M. M. I. A. one year. In September, 1911, he was appointed to preside over the Los Angeles branch of the Church and was laboring in this capacity when he called to be Presiding Patriarch of the Church, to succeed his grandfather, the late Patriarch John Smith. He was graduated from the University of Southern California June 15, 1911, with high honors in the college of dentistry, receiving a gold medal, offered by the department of operative technique, which was one of four medals offered by the school. After graduating he practiced his profession with success until May, 1912, when he was chosen as Presiding Patriarch of the Church. He was ordained to this high and holy calling May 9, 1912, by President Joseph F. Smith in the Salt Lake Temple. Brother Smith is a man of pleasing address and pronounced spirituality, whose sympathies go out for young and old in a way that ensures him the sincere love and respect of the people. He is a great-grandson of the martyred Patriarch Hyrum Smith and the fourth direct descendent of the first Patriarch of the Church (Joseph Smith senior).
Jenson, Andrew. "Smith, Hyrum G." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 4. pg. 246, 686.
SMITH, Hyrum Gibbs, presiding patriarch and a member of the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A., died Feb. 4, 1932. (See Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, p. 778.)
SMITH, Hyrum Gibbs, a director from 1917 to 1932, was born July 8, 1879, in South Jordan, Salt Lake Co., Utah, a son of Hyrum Fisher Smith and Annie M. Gibbs. He died in Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 4, 1932, as the Presiding Patriarch of the Church. (See Bio. Ency., Vol. 3, p. 778.)
SMITH, Hyrum Gibbs, presiding patriarch and a member of the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A., died Feb. 4, 1932. (See Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, p. 778.)
SMITH, Hyrum Gibbs, a director from 1917 to 1932, was born July 8, 1879, in South Jordan, Salt Lake Co., Utah, a son of Hyrum Fisher Smith and Annie M. Gibbs. He died in Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 4, 1932, as the Presiding Patriarch of the Church. (See Bio. Ency., Vol. 3, p. 778.)
"Hyrum Gibbs Smith, Presiding Patriarch." Improvement Era. July 1912. pg. 847-849.
Hyrum Gibbs Smith The newly appointed Presiding Patriarch of the Church is the son of Hyrum Fisher and Annie M. (Gibbs) Smith. He is a grandson of the late Patriarch John Smith, and was born in a humble cottage on the west bank of the Jordan river, South Jordan, Salt Lake county, Utah, Tuesday morning, July 8, 1879. He was christened and blessed by his grandfather, John Smith, on the 23rd of the same month. When about a year old his parents moved to Snake river, Idaho, to seek and make a new home. Later they went to Portage, Box Elder county, Utah, where his father engaged in farming and horse raising. When Hyrum G. was seven years old the family moved to Hoytsville, Summit county, where he spent fifteen years of his boyhood days upon the farm and range, herding, fishing and swimming in the mountain streams, hunting and riding in the mountain ranges, and assisting his father in his ranch business. He graduated from the public schools in 1896, in the meantime having attended faithfully his duties in the Lesser Priesthood and the auxiliary organizations. In 1897, he attended the Brigham Young Academy, now University, at Provo, taking a three-year normal course. He then taught in the public schools of Wasatch, Summit and Utah counties, following this profession successfully for seven years. During this period he was also active in Church work. He was ordained to the offices of the Lesser Priesthood in their order. In 1902-3 he acted as assistant in the superintendency of the Summit stake Sunday School, and locally worked in the Religion Class. He has been ordained to these offices in the Higher Priesthood—elder, seventy, high priest, and patriarch. On August 17, 1904, he was married in the Salt Lake Temple, by John Smith, to Martha Gee, daughter of George W. and Sophina A. (Fuller) Gee, of Provo. On October 5, 1908, he left Utah for Los Angeles to pursue a course in dentistry in the University of Southern California. At the same time he was set apart to perform missionary labor as time and opportunity would permit. He acted for two years as superintendent of the Los Angeles Branch Sunday School, and as president of the Mutual Improvement Association for one year. He also presided over the Church branch there from September, 1911, and labored in this capacity when chosen to succeed his grandfather, John Smith, as Presiding Patriarch of the Church. On June 5, 1911, he graduated from the University of Southern California, receiving the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery and a gold medal offered for excellency in operative technic by the doctor at the head of the operative department. Since graduating he practiced his profession until called home to devote all his time to his work as Presiding Patriarch, to which office he was chosen and sustained April 6, and set apart May 9. He is a direct lineal descendant of the martyred Patriarch Hyrum Smith, his great-grandfather, and though a young man, is ten years older than his grandfather was when ordained patriarch. Patriarch Smith was sustained a member of the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A. at the annual conference on Sunday, June 9, 1912. He is a man of pleasing address, and pronounced spirituality, whose sympathies go out to young and old in a way that promises for him the sincere love and respect of the people. |
PRESIDING PATRIARCH HYRUM G. SMITH
Sustained April 6, at the General Conference, as Presiding Patriarch of the Church, ordained and set apart to that calling under the hands of the First Presidency and members of the Council of the Twelve in the Salt Lake Temple, May 9, 1912, President Joseph F. Smith officiating. Also sustained as a member of the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A. at the Annual Conference, June 9, 1912. |
Talmage, James E. "Hyrum Gibbs Smith." Improvement Era. March 1932. pg. 267-268.
Hyrum Gibbs Smith By James E. Talmage Of the Council of the Twelve ANOTHER Presiding Patriarch to the Church has passed from earth and gone to join the goodly company of men who have been ordained to this exalted calling in mortality, and who are officiating in their Divine commission among the disembodied in the Paradise of the blessed. Priesthood is not bounded by span of earth life; once authoritatively conferred it becomes an eternal endowment of the individual receiving it, save only as he may forfeit that sacred investiture through transgression. Therefore I envisage my beloved brother and fellow servant, HYRUM GIBBS SMITH—whose earthly tabernacle was left tenantless but a few hours before these lines were written, on February 4, 1932 —as engaged in the duties of his holy ministry among believers in the spirit world. SPECIFIC significance and sanctity are characteristic of the patriarchal office. The Patriarch is a High Priest, ordained to service of counsellorship, leadership and presidency as he may be called and set apart. But the patriarchal authority is especially that of officially invoking, pronouncing and bestowing blessings in the name of the Lord upon worthy recipients. Realization of these gifts and powers has been abundantly manifest in the ministry of our recently departed brother. Between him and me there has been a bond of affectionate regard as strong as that of family relationship and this, beginning with our first acquaintance, has increased through the score of years during which we have been closely associated in the councils and service of the Church. He was ordained to his exalted office five months and a day after my installation in the Council of the Twelve; and though he was then in his thirty-third year and I in my fiftieth, we were juniors together in the assemblies of the presiding authorities. It was my privilege to be accompanied by Brother Hyrum G. Smith in many visits to stakes and wards, and to introduce him to the congregations of the Saints. I not only knew of him and about him but I came to know him, the man, the bestower of blessings, the Patriarch, the choice servant of the Lord. I have witnessed the development of the patriarchal spirit and power in Brother Hyrum, and therefore add my testimony to that of nearly twenty-two thousand people who have received their individual blessings under his hands—that he was all that the title of his special office in the Priesthood and Church could possibly imply. Possibly he would have manifested in large degree those many noble and ennobling traits of his, even had he not been called to the high place he filled so well; yet I doubt not those natural attributes and graces were mellowed and sanctified by the spirit of his office. He was a gentleman and preeminently a gentle man, soft and restrained in speech, tender in dealing with the afflicted and distressed, yet bold alike in proclamation of righteousness and denunciation of sin. In high degree he understood the Lord's distinction between sin and the sinner; with the one he could make no compromise; toward the other, if repentant, he gave forth encouragement and love as a forgiving father. His position was that of father to a multitude in spiritual ministry. HYRUM GIBBS SMITH was the sixth Patriarch to the Church in the current dispensation, and directly succeeded his grandfather, John Smith, who had served in that capacity through a period of fifty - six years. The line of Patriarchs to the Church, otherwise known as Presiding Patriarchs, is this: 1. Joseph Smith, Sen., father of the Prophet Joseph Smith, ordained December 18, 1833; died September 14, 1840. 2. Hyrum Smith, son of Joseph Smith, Sen., ordained January 24, 1841; martyred at Carthage, Illinois, June 27, 1844. 3. William Smith, when ordained in the summer of 1845 was the youngest living brother of the Prophet Joseph; he was never sustained in the office by a vote of a general conference, and was excommunicated from the Church in October, 1845. 4. John Smith, familiarly known as "Uncle" John Smith, ordained a Patriarch January 10, 1844; set apart as Presiding Patriarch January 1, 1849; died May 23, 1854. He was the brother of Joseph Smith, Sen., and therefore uncle of the Prophet Joseph Smith. 5. John Smith, son of Hyrum named above, ordained February 18, 1855; died November 6, 1911. 6. Hyrum Gibbs Smith, grandson of John Smith last named; ordained May 9, 1912; died February 4, 1932. THE office of Presiding Patriarch has thus been preserved in the posterity of Joseph Smith, Sen., father of the Prophet, except in the case of "Uncle" John Smith, who officiated during the early youth of John Smith, son of the martyred Patriarch Hyrum Smith. This is in accordance with the revealed order respecting this position and calling—that it be occupied by the eldest man in each generation of the family in which it was first instituted for the respective dispensation. It was so in the case of Adam and his immediate posterity and remains so in this dispensation. This is indicated in the revelation recorded as section 107 of the Doctrine and Covenants: The order of this Priesthood was confirmed to be handed down from father to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants of the chosen seed, to whom the promises were made. This order was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down by lineage . . . LET it not be assumed, however, that eligibility as to lineage justifies one in laying individual claim to the office of Presiding Patriarch. The man who attains this position must be nominated by the constituted Authorities of the Church and sustained by the vote of the Church membership. Hyrum G. Smith was found worthy of call and ordination to this important office, and his acceptance by the Lord is demonstrated in the inspiration that has characterized his service. Hyrum Gibbs Smith came to hold the keys of patriarchal authority, that is to say the place of presidency in the patriarchal order as established in the restored Church. Contemporary patriarchs, or , evangelical ministers, ordained and set apart to local jurisdiction— such as have been constituted to officiate within the Stakes to which they belong — have looked to the Presiding Patriarch as their counselor and adviser and have rejoiced in his guidance. HIS ministry lacked but three months in covering a score of years-—years filled with good works and devoted service, the effect of which shall extend beyond the grave wherein his body shall rest, and shall endure throughout eternity. May divine consolation attend his family and kinsfolk, and be felt by the host who rightly call him blessed! |
Hyrum Smith, brother of the Prophet Joseph.
John Smith, known as "Uncle" John.
John Smith, son of Hyrum Smith.
No picture of Joseph Smith, Senior is available. |
Pyper, George D. "Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith." Instructor. March 1932. pg. 131, 175.
Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith By George D. Pyper Time in its passing is inexorable. From eternity to eternity it moves on. Finite man may dam up the mighty rivers, harness electrical power, utilize the wave lengths of the air, but he is powerless to check or retard even the infinitesimal part of a second of time's ever moving stream, as it weaves its thread in the fabric of human existence. Yet time is said by philosophers and poets to be the grand instructor, the great healer that "cures more than the doctor," "hath a taming hand," "softens our griefs," and solves "what reason cannot." During the short span of a year Time has taken more than its usual toll of precious lives, reaching into five of the leading groups of the Church and calling away Charles W. Nibley, of the First Presidency; Orson F. Whitney of the Council of the Twelve; Rey L. Pratt of the First Council of Seventy, Hugh J. Cannon, editor of the Improvement Era, and now the Presiding Patriarch, Hyrum G. Smith. Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith passed away on Thursday, February 4th, of pneumonia, though he had been suffering for some time from a general nervous breakdown. He was in his fifty-third year; not a long span of life but one full of loving service, meeting every ideal of the poet who wrote: "We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; In feelings, not in figures on a dial. We should count time by heart throbs. He most lives ‘Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best." Hyrum G, Smith, son of Hyrum Fisher Smith and Annie M. Gibbs, great grandson in direct line of the martyred Patriarch Hyrum Smith, was born July 8, 1879, at South Jordan, Utah. His parents moved to the Snake River, Idaho, then to Portage and later to Hoytsville, Utah. In these places the early youth of Hyrum was spent upon farms and ranches, where he was close to Mother Earth and learned to love nature. He was faithful in the auxiliary associations and was ordained successively to the various offices of the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods. He was a normal student of the Brigham Young Academy (now University) at Provo; taught school; served as Superintendent of Sunday Schools in Summit Stake, and in the Los Angeles Branch. For eight years he was a member of the General Board of the Deseret Sunday School Union and was much beloved by his associates. Brother Smith graduated with high honors in the Southern California School of Dentistry, receiving one of four gold medals offered by the school. He had practiced his chosen profession but a short time when, on May 9, 1912, he was ordained to the exalted position of Presiding Patriarch of the Church, which office he held at the time of his death. In all the positions held by Brother Smith he was faithful and true. His life was one of self-sacrifice, of service to his fellowmen; full of sincere and inspired blessing for his people and for all humanity. He was of the gentler type and yet in his religious convictions and his labors for righteousness he was firm as a rock. If a full life is measured by good deeds, thoughts, feelings, heart throbs, as expressed by the poet, then Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith's mortal existence was longer than many who attain their more than three score years and ten; for with the virtues named his life was full and running over. He has left a rich and unsullied legacy to his beloved wife and children; and a record of which all Latter-day Saints may be proud. |
PATRIARCH HYRUM G. SMITH
|
Smith, George Albert, Jr. "Hyrum Gibbs Smith." Relief Society Magazine. March 1932. pg. 150-153.
Hyrum Gibbs Smith By George Albert Smith, Jr. THE Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord." These words of philosophical truth and comfort have found utterance in the hearts of the Latter-day Saints more often than usual during the past few months, occasioned by the calling home of Church leaders. The Presiding Patriarch of the Church, Hyrum Gibbs Smith, was indeed given to the Church, and as a very young man, by the lineage of his descent and by the appropriateness of his own life, which was ever motivated by the prophetic traits of a great soul. And now he has been taken away, not full of years, though able to look back upon an earth life full of active service and abounding in deeds of goodness and blessing to all mankind. He was born July 8, 1879, at South Jordan in Salt Lake County, the son of Hyrum Fisher Smith and Annie Maria Gibbs, the great grandson of the Patriarch Hyrum Smith, one of the two martyrs. He was one of nine children whose ancestry bequeathed to them the blessings of faith, of testimony and of prophetic vision, which qualities in his especial case enabled him to serve his Church and people in the capacity of a prophetic seer and revelator. The formative period of his life was spent in the wholesome influences of a delightful home and in the out-of-doors. The year after his birth his family moved to Idaho, into the Snake River valley where they resided for a time. They next settled in Portage, Box Elder County, where the father engaged in farming and horse raising. When young Hyrum was just seven, the residence was again changed, the family this time making a home in Hoytsville, Summit County. Here he grew to manhood, assisting with the duties of the farm and home, at the same time attending the public schools, filling positions of responsibility in the Church and varying his activities by hunting, riding and learning the charm and mysteries of the out-of-doors. He subsequently entered the Brigham Young University at Provo, which school he attended until graduation. His scholarship was very high there and he also made a good record as an athlete, being a member of the school track and baseball teams. On August 17, 1904, he married Martha Gee of Provo, who has been a remarkable companion for him and an inspirational influence in his life and in forming the lives of their splendid children, of which their home has been blessed with eight, three sons and five daughters. After a period of school teaching, he matriculated into the College of Dentistry of the University of Southern California, which he attended until 1911. He was graduated in June of that year with high honors, was awarded a gold medal for excellence in (operative (technique and served his class as valedictorian. The practice of his chosen profession was highly successful but was terminated by his selection as successor of his grandfather, John Smith, as Presiding Patriarch of the Church. This was in 1912 when he was thirty-three years of age. This high calling found him well schooled and experienced in Church work, for he had actively performed the duties of a Latter-day Saint all his life and had held many positions of trust and leadership. He served as Superintendent of Religion Classes and of Sunday Schools in Summit County. Before going to Los Angeles to attend the University there, both he and his wife were set apart as missionaries and performed valuable service in that field. Outstanding was his work as Superintendent of the Los Angeles Sunday Schools and later as President of the Los Angeles Branch. For the past nineteen years he has diligently and faithfully discharged the duties of his office. He has pronounced thousands of blessings upon the heads of his fellow Church members, thus pointing to them the way of peace and salvation. In addition to these blessed personal ministrations he has functioned with the other General Authorities of the Church in visiting the Stakes of Zion, always counseling wisely and encouraging the Saints to enable the fulfilment of their blessings and promises by keeping the commandments of God. As a member of the Young Men's General Board he performed distinguished service in that organization. This active life of righteousness could do no other than endear him to those whom he contacted both in and out of the Church. A splendid compliment was paid him in 1928 by his Alma Mater, the University of Southern California when he attended the home-coming exercises and was asked as the sole representative of his class to sit with the faculty in recognition of his excellent under-graduate scholarship, his ecclesiastical attainments and his ascendency to the position he so deservedly held as Presiding Patriarch of his Church. Hyrum G. Smith's appointment was to be the father of the Church, and so to be, his disposition and native endowments most fittingly qualified him. He was a lover of his fellowmen. He loved peace, simplicity, orderliness. His was a finely sensitive nature, responsive to the needs of those about him and ever alertly reaching out into the infinite and bringing back those treasures of prophetic comfort and assurance to the gladdening of the lives of those who were the grateful recipients of his ministry. He was not the aggressive, argumentative type although he was firm in support of his convictions. His sympathy for the misled transgressor was abundant, but for sin itself he had no tolerance. This faculty developed in him a directness of thought and speech. He talked to people but rarely about them. The confidence of another he never betrayed. This fidelity to friendship and personal trust was only equaled by his loyalty to his Church and devotion to the principles which it promulgates. It is not surprising that such a man qualified to be Patriarch of his people should also be eminently successful in fathering his own immediate family. He laid the foundation stone of a happy home admirably well when he chose for his wife a young woman of personal charm, unusual intelligence and possessing that vital faith in God which has induced her to an unselfish support of her husband in his high calling and which has been caught up into the lives of the children she bore him. These two, so happily wedded, have, under the judicious and affectionate guidance of the father reared their family in a remarkable way. Orderly dispatch of their domestic affairs is ever their watchword. Family prayers are faithfully observed and obedience to parental advice is a highly developed trait in this family. The parents have never ceased to be lovers and that warm, wholesome affection has kindled the whole family, than which a happier, more loyal or more faithful could nowhere be found. Holidays have been home days for this family. Hyrum G. Smith had the foresight to desire the immediate companionship of his loved ones and provided that it should not be secondary to other associations. He enjoyed working about to beautify his home and garden that they might form sanctuaries where the blessed influences of the better life might be fostered and imbibed. As a lover of these valleys and peaks which gave him his birthplace and home he rejoiced in their beauties, and as opportunity afforded he visited the streams and remoter glens to enjoy fishing or hunting, in both of which he was signally proficient, and to absorb enjoyment and inspiration from God's handiwork. His calling required of him a particularly fine degree of faith and vision. His endowments of character and personality enabled him to meet these unusually high standards to the complete satisfaction of his as sociates and to the blessing of the Church for which he lived and to which he gave his full measure of devotion. In his life were no indications that he harbored the thought that being born of such illustrious ancestry gave him any privileges for absolution. On the other hand he regarded his heritage as a special responsibility, by virtue of which he should strive the more diligently to ward that perfection of life exemplified by the Master in whose service he was. Hyrum G. Smith did not leave to his family or people any great legacy of material accumulation, a possession of which too oft is a hindrance to spiritual growth. That which he did leave is of infinitely greater worth—a testimony that God lives and has revealed His purposes,—a beautiful life which vitalized that testimony—a family full of faith, which is a tribute to his patriarchal nature—and the blessed memory in the hearts of his fellows that he was one whose greatest desire it was to assist his Lord and Master in bringing to pass the eternal life and immortality of man. |
HYRUM GIBBS SMITH
|
"Hyrum Gibbs Smith." Relief Society Magazine. March 1932. pg. 180.
Hyrum Gibbs Smith
IN the death of Hyrum Gibbs Smith, Presiding Patriarch of the Church, we lose one of our most beloved leaders. His public life was characterized by integrity, devotion to duty and an eagerness to serve and bless his people. He was gentle, retiring, earnest, loving and full of the spirit of blessing. It has been truly said that “no man who has held this position has more faithfully or honorably magnified the calling of patriarch than has he."
His home life was beautiful. He and his wife were truly mated and were devoted to each other and to their children. The sorrow of parting will be assuaged by memories of the happy years spent together. He will be held in loving remembrance by the thousands to whom he has given blessings and by all who associated with him. May his family be comforted. May his children continue to walk in the paths marked out by their faithful father.
Hyrum Gibbs Smith
IN the death of Hyrum Gibbs Smith, Presiding Patriarch of the Church, we lose one of our most beloved leaders. His public life was characterized by integrity, devotion to duty and an eagerness to serve and bless his people. He was gentle, retiring, earnest, loving and full of the spirit of blessing. It has been truly said that “no man who has held this position has more faithfully or honorably magnified the calling of patriarch than has he."
His home life was beautiful. He and his wife were truly mated and were devoted to each other and to their children. The sorrow of parting will be assuaged by memories of the happy years spent together. He will be held in loving remembrance by the thousands to whom he has given blessings and by all who associated with him. May his family be comforted. May his children continue to walk in the paths marked out by their faithful father.