John Smith (Uncle of Joseph Smith, Jr.)
Born: 16 July 1781
Became Assistant Counselor in the First Presidency: 3 September 1837
Called as Patriarch to the Church: 1 January 1849
Died: 23 May 1854
Became Assistant Counselor in the First Presidency: 3 September 1837
Called as Patriarch to the Church: 1 January 1849
Died: 23 May 1854
Conference TalksImage source: Improvement Era, March 1932
|
Image source: Wikipedia (public domain)
|
Biographical Articles
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 1
Improvement Era, June 1945, Who Was "Uncle John Smith"?
Improvement Era, March 1950, The Testimony of Patriarch John Smith
Improvement Era, June 1945, Who Was "Uncle John Smith"?
Improvement Era, March 1950, The Testimony of Patriarch John Smith
Jenson, Andrew. "Smith, John (5th Patriarch)." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 1. pg. 182-183.
SMITH, John, the fifth presiding Patriarch of the Church, was born July 16, 1781, in Derryfield (now Manchester). Rockingham county. N. H. He was a son of Asahel and Mary Smith (formerly Mary Duty) and uncle to the Prophet Joseph. In 1815 he married Clarissa Lyman, by whom he had three children—George Albert, Caroline and John Lyman. The subject of Joseph Smith's mission was introduced to John Smith by his brother Joseph, the Prophet's father, which resulted in his baptism Jan. 9, 1832, at a time of sickness near to death, and when the ice had to be cut to reach the water; but from that time he gained health and strength, although he had been given up by the doctors to die of consumption. He was baptized and confirmed by his brother Joseph Smith, Sen., and at the same time ordained an Elder. In 1833, he moved to Kirtland, Ohio, where he, on June 3, 1831, was ordained a High Priest by Lyman Wight, and in 1838 to Far West, Caldwell county, Missouri, and thence to Adam-ondi-Ahman, in Daviess county, where he presided over that branch of the Church until expelled by the mob in 1839, and arrived in Illinois on the 28th of February of that year. He located at Green Plains, six miles from Warsaw, where he put in a crop of corn, split rails, and performed much hard labor unsuited to his health and years, but obliged to be done for the support of his family. In June he moved to Commerce (since Nauvoo), and on October 5th was appointed to preside over the Saints in Iowa. On the 12th he moved to Lee county to fulfill that mission. In October, 1843, he moved to Macedonia, Hancock county, Illinois, having been appointed to preside over the Saints in that place. He was ordained a Patriarch Jan. 10, 1844, by Joseph the Prophet, and in November, of that year, was driven by mobbers from Macedonia to Nauvoo. where he continued to administer patriarchal blessings, to the joy of thousands, until Feb. 9, 1846, when he was compelled by the mob violence of the free and sovereign State of Illinois to again leave his home and cross the Mississippi river, with his family, in search of a peaceful location, far off amid savages and deserts, in the valleys of the mountains. After passing a dreary winter on the right bank of the Missouri, at Winter Quarters, he again took up the weary ox train march on the 9th of June, 1847. and reached Great Salt Lake valley Sept. 23rd, where he presided over the Church in the mountains until October, 1848. Jan. 1, 1849. he was ordained presiding Patriarch over the Church, under the hands of Pres. Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. He moved out of the Fort on to his city lot in February, 1849, and this was the only spot on which he had been privileged to cultivate a garden two years in succession during the last twenty-three years of his life. In addition to a vast amount of varied and efficient aid to thousands in the way of salvation, during his long and faithful ministry, he administered 5,560 patriarchal blessings, which were recorded in seven large and closely written books, which are now at the Historian's office. He died in Salt Lake City May 23, 1854. "He closed the arduous duties of a well occupied probation," writes the editor of the "Deseret News," "and passed to a position of rest, where his works will nobly follow and honor him and where he will continue his able counsels for the prosperity and welfare of Zion."
SMITH, John, the fifth presiding Patriarch of the Church, was born July 16, 1781, in Derryfield (now Manchester). Rockingham county. N. H. He was a son of Asahel and Mary Smith (formerly Mary Duty) and uncle to the Prophet Joseph. In 1815 he married Clarissa Lyman, by whom he had three children—George Albert, Caroline and John Lyman. The subject of Joseph Smith's mission was introduced to John Smith by his brother Joseph, the Prophet's father, which resulted in his baptism Jan. 9, 1832, at a time of sickness near to death, and when the ice had to be cut to reach the water; but from that time he gained health and strength, although he had been given up by the doctors to die of consumption. He was baptized and confirmed by his brother Joseph Smith, Sen., and at the same time ordained an Elder. In 1833, he moved to Kirtland, Ohio, where he, on June 3, 1831, was ordained a High Priest by Lyman Wight, and in 1838 to Far West, Caldwell county, Missouri, and thence to Adam-ondi-Ahman, in Daviess county, where he presided over that branch of the Church until expelled by the mob in 1839, and arrived in Illinois on the 28th of February of that year. He located at Green Plains, six miles from Warsaw, where he put in a crop of corn, split rails, and performed much hard labor unsuited to his health and years, but obliged to be done for the support of his family. In June he moved to Commerce (since Nauvoo), and on October 5th was appointed to preside over the Saints in Iowa. On the 12th he moved to Lee county to fulfill that mission. In October, 1843, he moved to Macedonia, Hancock county, Illinois, having been appointed to preside over the Saints in that place. He was ordained a Patriarch Jan. 10, 1844, by Joseph the Prophet, and in November, of that year, was driven by mobbers from Macedonia to Nauvoo. where he continued to administer patriarchal blessings, to the joy of thousands, until Feb. 9, 1846, when he was compelled by the mob violence of the free and sovereign State of Illinois to again leave his home and cross the Mississippi river, with his family, in search of a peaceful location, far off amid savages and deserts, in the valleys of the mountains. After passing a dreary winter on the right bank of the Missouri, at Winter Quarters, he again took up the weary ox train march on the 9th of June, 1847. and reached Great Salt Lake valley Sept. 23rd, where he presided over the Church in the mountains until October, 1848. Jan. 1, 1849. he was ordained presiding Patriarch over the Church, under the hands of Pres. Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. He moved out of the Fort on to his city lot in February, 1849, and this was the only spot on which he had been privileged to cultivate a garden two years in succession during the last twenty-three years of his life. In addition to a vast amount of varied and efficient aid to thousands in the way of salvation, during his long and faithful ministry, he administered 5,560 patriarchal blessings, which were recorded in seven large and closely written books, which are now at the Historian's office. He died in Salt Lake City May 23, 1854. "He closed the arduous duties of a well occupied probation," writes the editor of the "Deseret News," "and passed to a position of rest, where his works will nobly follow and honor him and where he will continue his able counsels for the prosperity and welfare of Zion."
Hunter, Milton R. "Who Was "Uncle John Smith"?." Improvement Era. June 1945. pg. 336-337, 374-375.
WHO WAS "UNCLE JOHN SMITH"? By Milton R. Hunter, PH.D. OF THE FIRST COUNCIL OF THE SEVENTY, AND L. D. S. INSTITUTE OF RELIGION, LOGAN. UTAH Smith (the most common proper name in the English language ) and John (an appellative which parents have bestowed upon thousands of children from ancient times to the present day) have designated a multitude of human beings. In early days of Mormon history, there were several men by the name of "John Smith." It is very easy for writers to confuse these numerous Smiths when dealing with manuscripts which in many instances give no more than a meager account of some of these men. It is quite probable that such errors have been made, and made perhaps on a number of occasions. For this reason we approach the question of "Who is 'Uncle John Smith'?" He was one of seven sons of Asael and Mary Duty Smith and an uncle of the Prophet Joseph, and for this reason we today call him "Uncle John Smith." Sometimes the Prophet referred to him in those terms. On July 16, 1781, he was born in Derryfield (now Manchester), Rockingham County, New Hampshire. When thirty- four years of age, he married Clarissa Lyman. To them were born three children—George Albert, Caroline, and John Lyman. Uncle John was a devout servant of Jesus Christ and at all times a strong defender of gospel principles. It can be truly said of him as the Shunammite woman said of Elisha, "I perceive that this is an holy man of God." The gospel was first brought to him by his brother, Joseph—the Prophet's father—which resulted in his baptism on January 9, 1832. For several years previous to his baptism, Uncle John Smith had been in poor health, and during the latter six months he had been in no condition to leave the house far enough to go to his barn. In fact, the physicians had pronounced him in the last stages of consumption. In the words of his son, George A.: His neighbors all believed that baptism would kill him. I cut the ice in the creek, and broke a road for forty rods through the crust on two feet of snow; the day was very cold; the neighbors looked on with astonishment, expecting to see him die in the water, but his health continued improving from that moment. During the evening he had a vision of the Savior. The next day he visited his barn. He soon commenced traveling and preaching. His former Christian friends denouncing him as crazy, saying that the improved condition of his health was the result of insanity; and were greatly surprised that a crazy man should know more about the Bible than they did.[1] The baptism of Uncle John Smith was performed by Elder Solomon Humphreys, and immediately thereupon he was ordained an elder by Joseph Wakefield and Solomon Humphreys. Soon thereafter he commenced to preach. Wherever he went, he was confronted by sectarian ministers who slandered and abused him and the other Saints in every possible manner. But the Son of Man had not only appeared to John Smith and comforted him, but also had given him the power of discerning the secret wickedness of his enemies; for example, shortly after John Smith began his missionary activities, a certain minister named Mr. Talbert came into one of his meetings "and interrupted him in a most abusive manner, demanding a sign and pronouncing the solemn sentence of damnation on all who should believe the word." Uncle John told the minister in the presence of the congregation that he was a wicked man and an adulterer, and that his corruption should be exposed to the eyes of all men. Only a few months passed before this prophecy was fulfilled, and Mr. Talbert was dismissed from his congregation. THE spiritual gifts of the gospel were - abundantly enjoyed by Uncle John Smith. Such examples as the following are found in the Documentary History and Journal History of the Church. Joseph the Prophet, in speaking of his uncle and others, wrote: . . . We all unitedly administered, by laying on of hands to my cousin, George A. Smith, who was immediately healed of a severe rheumatic affection all over the body, which caused excruciating pain.[2] Uncle John Smith was a leader of prominence in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the period of its establishment by the Prophet Joseph. From the time he became a Mormon in 1832 until his death which occurred twenty-two years later, this important character is referred to over three hundred times in the Journal History of the Church. Few men were that prominent in Mormon history. In following those references through, we learn that he was a member of the first high council organized in the Church, and whenever this body met to settle problems of importance in setting patterns for Church policies, his advice was always solicited and respected. During the Kirtland period, Uncle John spent much of his time traveling with his brother, Joseph, while the latter gave patriarchal blessings to the members of the Church. In a report that Heber C. Kimball made of the Pennsylvania mission in 1836, we read: On the 25th of August while we were assembled for a meeting, our hearts were filled with joy by the arrival of Joseph Smith, Sen., the Patriarch, and his brother, John Smith, who were on a mission to bless the churches. On the 27th the church came together and received patriarchal blessings under the hands of President Joseph Smith, Sen.[3] A year later the Prophet wrote: My father and Uncle John Smith started on a mission to visit the branches of the Church in the Eastern States, to set them in order, and confer on the brethren their patriarchal blessings.[4] All of this experience proved beneficial and helped to prepare Uncle John for the day when he became the third Presiding Patriarch to the Church. On January 10, 1844, he was ordained a patriarch by Joseph the Prophet. Five years later, on January 1, he was set apart as Presiding Patriarch over the Church under the hands of President Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. He administered 5,560 patriarchal blessings, which were recorded in seven large and closely written books. They are now at the Church Historian's office in Salt Lake City. It is quite probable that in this activity Uncle John Smith made his greatest contribution to the Church. This good man was a typical Mormon pioneer and frontiersman. Within a year after joining the Church, he moved to Kirtland, Ohio. Five years later when many of the leading Church officials apostatized and the Prophet was forced to flee from Kirtland for safety, John Smith, along with the other Mormons who remained true to the restored gospel, migrated to Missouri. He settled first at Far West but moved shortly thereafter to Adam-ondi- Ahman, where he presided over a branch of the Church until the expulsion of the Saints from Missouri in 1839. He arrived in Illinois on February 28, and located at Green Plains, six miles from Warsaw. There he split rails, put in a crop of corn, and performed much hard labor unsuited to his health and years. In June, however, after the Prophet was released from the Missouri jail and had selected the town of Commerce ( Nauvoo ) as the haven for the Saints, Uncle John left his farm and moved on the new townsite. Four months later the Prophet sent him to Macedonia, Hancock County, to preside over the Saints in Iowa. In November 1844, he was driven by mobsters from Macedonia to Nauvoo, and there he remained until February 9, 1846. Again he was compelled by mob violence to flee from his home and move westward across the Mississippi River in search of a peaceful location far off in the valleys of the Rocky Mountains. After spending a dreary winter on the banks of the Missouri River at Winter Quarters, he, with other Saints of God, took up the weary ox train march westward in search of their new Zion. They left the camp less than two months after Brigham Young and the Pioneer company had headed westward. On September 23, Uncle John Smith arrived in the valley of the Great Salt Lake. Brigham Young set him apart to be stake president and appointed him to preside over the Saints in the Great Basin until the pioneer leader should go back to Winter Quarters and return with a large group of Saints. Charles C. Rich and John Young were selected to be his counselors. The high council, a local ecclesiastical court, consisting of twelve members, presided over by the president of the stake and his two counselors, fifteen in all besides the clerk, assumed provisional municipal powers by the common consent of the community.[5] This was the first government established by the Mormons in Utah. Thus Uncle John Smith was in charge of the affairs of the Saints during the first difficult winter, and was the overseer of building homes, rationing food, and preparing for the hordes of people who were to come later. His administrative genius was also taxed heavily the following summer when the millions of crickets would have completely destroyed the pioneers' crops if it had not been for the miracle of the sea gulls. But finally in September, 1848, Brigham Young returned to the Valley, bringing another large company of immigrants. The president of the Church now replaced John Smith as supreme in command. A few months later this typical Mormon pioneer built himself another home. In the words of Andrew Jenson : He moved out of the Fort on to his city lot in February, 1849, and this was the only spot on which he had been privileged to cultivate a garden two years in succession during the last twenty-three years of his life.[6] On May 23, 1854, Uncle John died in Salt Lake City, being nearly seventy-three years old. Thus he had lived twenty-two years after having been given up by the doctors. During that time he accomplished an untold amount of good as one of the leading spirits in helping to found the true gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth again. At the time of his death, the editor of The Deseret News wrote: He closed the arduous duties of a well occupied probation, and passed to a position of rest, where his works will nobly follow and honor him and where he will continue his able counsels for the prosperity and welfare of Zion. In order to obtain a more complete understanding of who Uncle John Smith was, it would be well to take a glance at his children and their children. The true measure of any man is given to a large degree through his posterity. Jesus, the great Master of eternal truth, taught that the measure of greatness of mankind is given by his own works and through the lives of his posterity. To quote his teachings: Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.[7] Let us now observe some of Uncle John Smith's "fruits"—posterity. Referring again briefly to Asael Smith's seven sons, we find that only four of them joined the Mormon Church, and Uncle John was the only one of them who lived to emigrate to Utah. His three children remained faithful to the Church and migrated to the West also, and now his descendants have attained the status of a mighty multitude. In a little over one hundred years from the time Uncle John joined the Church, his descendants have reached the number of approximately one thousand persons. Among the group are many of the most stalwart members of the Church of Jesus Christ, filling positions of trust and importance as General Authorities and in stakes and wards. Uncle John Smith's eldest son, George Albert—commonly known as George A. Smith—distinguished himself during the pioneer period of Utah history as one of the greatest builders of colonies and as an ardent Church leader: Wherever there was a colonial project of great importance, Apostle George A. Smith was sure to be at its center. He is known to our generation not only because of his large physical stature, but his spiritual stature was of equal proportions. He filled many missions for the Church, served as an apostle for twenty-nine years, and was first counselor to President Brigham Young from 1868 to 1875. At the time of his death, the Mormon leader remarked: I have known Brother George A. Smith for forty-two years, have traveled and labored in the ministry with him for many years, and have believed him to be as faithful a boy and man as ever lived; and, in my opinion, he has as good a record on this and the other side of the veil as any man."[8] George A.'s son, John Henry Smith, was also choice "fruit." For approximately thirty years he served the Church faithfully as an apostle and climaxed his long term of Church service in the capacity of second counselor in the First Presidency during the last year and a half of his life. In addition to his Church work, he figured prominently in the political affairs of the state, serving as Salt Lake City councilman, a member of the Territorial Legislature, and as president of the Constitutional Convention, and several times a member of the Irrigation and the Trans-Mississippi Congress. At the time of the passage of the Edmund-Tucker law, he and others were sent to Washington, D.C. The most prominent descendant of Uncle John Smith who is alive today is President George Albert Smith, son of John Henry and Sarah Farr Smith. President Smith has devoted practically all of his energies to Church service since his early manhood. He began his ecclesiastical career in 1892, when he was called on a mission to the Southern States. There he served for two years as mission secretary under the late J. Golden Kimball. From 1919 to 1921, he was president of the European Mission. For nearly forty-two years he served efficiently as a member of the Council of the Twelve, to which position he was called in 1903. During the past two years, following the death of President Rudger Clawson in June, 1943, he has been president of that body. On Monday, May 21, 1945, Brother Smith was sustained^ as President of the Church at a special meeting of the Council of the Twelve held in the temple. He succeeded President Heber J. Grant. President Smith selected J. Reuben Clark, Jr., and David O. McKay as his counselors, the same men who had served faithfully as President Grant's counselors. Among President Smith's numerous accomplishments are those pertaining to scouting, the M.I.A., and the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association, being the leading spirit behind the organization of the latter. He has won international recognition in scouting, serving as a member of the nation executive committee. In 1934 he was awarded the silver buffalo, highest scouting honor, along with Newton D. Baker, former secretary of war, Col. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., and Paul Percy Harris. President Smith devoted thirteen years of service (1921-1934) as general superintendent of the Young Men's Improvement Association. He has also been actively identified with the Oregon Trail Memorial Association and Sons of the American Revolution. At present, he is vice president of the American Pioneer Trails Association and vice president general of the S.A.R. President Smith is known throughout the entire Church for his lovable, affable, and genuinely Christian character. He, like his great-grandfather, is a "Man of God," a Saint indeed. His son, George Albert Smith, Jr., has also attained prominence. He is at the present time assistant dean at the Graduate School of Business Administration at Harvard University. Greatness has come down through five generations — Uncle John Smith, George A., John Henry, George Albert, and George Albert, Jr. The latter four are examples of the "fruits" of Uncle John Smith. Men do not gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles. Generations yet unborn shall rise to bless the name of the Prophet Joseph's uncle. LET us now give an example wherein a recent writer confused Uncle John Smith with another John Smith. Dr. Daryl Chase in his recent book, Joseph the Prophet, was endeavoring—to quote his words—to show that In the Restored Church the Prophet provided ecclesiastical courts to protect the innocent and to expel the unrepentant evil doer. Without fear or favor men were dropped from their apostleship to that of rank and file. Close blood relationship to the Prophet did not place one outside channels of Church courts. His Uncle John Smith and his nephew Eden were loved by the Prophet, but they were not amenable to the duly constituted authorities above them, and when they moved to a new branch of the Church they attempted to assume their former positions of authority. Letters were written at once to compel obedience to the action taken by the Church court—one to John Smith and his son, and another to members of the Church at Eugene where they recently had moved.[9] Dr. Chase then quotes significant excerpts from those two letters. It was quite natural and very easy for the writer to make the error of confusing the two John Smiths since on page 348 of Volume 1, of the Documentary History of the Church the Prophet announces the arrival at Kirtland of his "uncle, John Smith." The very next time we find the name of John Smith in the same book is twenty-two pages later where the Church standing of John Smith and his son, Eden, is brought into question. In the letter to the Church at Eugene, the Prophet remarked: "You will see by this, brethren, that you have authority to sit in council on the Smiths; and if found guilty, to deal with them accordingly."[10] Not knowing that Uncle John Smith never had a son named Eden and the record not indicating that another John Smith had come into the story since the Prophet had been talking about his uncle, Dr. Chase naturally assumed— as any writer might have done —that they were the same John Smith, Then who were Eden and this other John Smith? The writer of this article searched the Church archives rather thoroughly for information regarding them and can state definitely that this John Smith was not the uncle of the Prophet, and it seems that he was not even a relative. We find that in 1831, which was a few months before Uncle John Smith joined the Church, the John Smith in question and his son, Eden, were on a missionary tour and were still on that mission at the time of the baptism of the Prophet's uncle early in 1832.[11] In March and also in May of 1832, the Journal History of the Church describes their missionary activities. More than a year elapsed before the presidency of the Church wrote to them as follows: Kirtland, July 2nd, 1833 Brother John Smith: . . . You will recollect that previous to your leaving this place, you were tried before the Bishop's court, which found you guilty of misdemeanor, and decided that you should no longer retain your authority in the Church; . . . but you did not manifest that degree of humility to the brethren that was required, but remained obstinate; for that reason God withdrew His Spirit from you, and left you in darkness. ... It seems also that your son, Eden, is confederate with you, and needs to be reproved, together with yourself, in all humility before the Lord, or you must expect to be dealt with according to the laws of the Church. We say you are no more than a private member in the Church. Joseph Smith, Jun., F. G. Williams, Presidents[12] To the Church at Eugene (John Smith's home branch), the Prophet wrote on that same day as follows : Dear Brethren: It is truly painful to be under the necessity of writing on a subject which engages our attention at this time, viz.: the case of John Smith, and Eden Smith, his son. We have just received a letter from you concerning their standing in the Church. We do not hold them in fellowship. We would inform you that John Smith has been dealt with, and his authority taken from him; and you are required not to receive his teachings, but to treat him as a transgressor, until he repents and humbles himself before the Lord, to the entire satisfaction of the Church: and also, you have authority to call a conference, and sit in judgment on Eden's case, and deal with him as the law directs. . . . Joseph Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon, F. G. Williams This is the last mention in the records that I have found regarding John Smith. It is quite possible that he did not repent sufficiently to regain his Church standing. But not so with his son Eden Smith. Previous to the trouble at Eugene, the Lord had given a revelation to the Prophet Joseph (February 16, 1832) in which Eden was called to do missionary work.[13] A month later the Lord revealed as follows: Verily, thus saith the Lord unto my servant Stephen Burnett: Go ye, go ye into the world and preach the gospel to every creature that cometh under the sound of your voice. And inasmuch as you desire a companion, I will give unto you my servant Eden Smith.[14] The records show that Elder Eden Smith remained faithful to the Church even after the trouble at Eugene. In 1843, he was actively engaged in missionary work.[15] Thus we see that ten years after his Church standing had been called in question, Eden was in good standing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [1] Journal History of the Church. January 9. 1832 [2] lbid.. January 1, 1836 [3] Ibid.. August 25, 1835 [4] Ibid.. June 22, 1836 [5] John Nebeker, Early Justice (Bancroft Library), 4, Ms. [6] Andrew Jenson, L.D.S. Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 183 [7] Matthew 7:16-17 [8] Cited in Jenson. op. erf., 42 [9] Daryl Chase, Joseph the Prophet, p. 75 [10] Joseph Smith. Documentary History of the Church. Vol. 1, pp. 370-371 [11] Journal History of the Church. December 10, 1831; February 10. 1832 [12] Joseph Smith, op. cit. [13] Doctrine and Covenants 75:36 [14] Ibid., 80:1-2 [15] Journal History of the Church. April 10. 1843 |
"UNCLE" JOHN SMITH
DIRECT LINE OF DESCENDANTS FROM "UNCLE" JOHN SMITH
GEORGE A. SMITH
JOHN HENRY SMITH
PRESIDENT GEORGE ALBERT SMITH
GEORGE ALBERT SMITH, JR.
GEORGE ALBERT SMITH III
NOTE: There was also a fifth George Albert Smith, who was the son of the first George A. Smith, and who was killed in Arizona while on a mission.
|
Smith, George Albert. "The Testimony of Patriarch John Smith." Improvement Era. March 1950. pg. 173-174.
The Testimony of Patriarch John Smith
BY PRESIDENT GEORGE ALBERT SMITH
I have before me a document that was printed in The Deseret News in the year 1851. It is a statement of an uncle of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He was the first stake president of the Adam-ondi-Ahman and the Zarahemla stakes in the East during the Prophet's lifetime as well as the first stake president in the Salt Lake Valley. I refer to John Smith, my great grandfather. He also became Patriarch to the Church. He was born in 1781. This is a statement written not long before the death of this good man — and I will present only a part of it because it is somewhat lengthy:
"It is now upwards of twenty-one years since the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with six members, most of whom are numbered with the dead.
"Soon after its organization I heard the gospel through my nephew, Joseph Smith Jr., and obeyed the commandments of the Lord by entering in at the door, which is baptism. . . .
"If the Presidency and Twelve who are now living had not been servants to the cause when Joseph lived, they would not have been worthy to fill the exalted stations which they now occupy; and always remember 'that he who is the greatest among you must be the servant of all.'
"Bring up your children in the way they should go, that they may be ornaments to the society and a blessing unto you in your old age; and remember that God will not hold you guiltless if you should neglect to attend to this matter. Remember also to teach them to pray; and cause your sons to take part in the family prayer; and beware what company they keep, for 'evil communications corrupt good manners.'
"Let not your daughters mix with the sons of the stranger whom you know nothing about and who are not of the house of Israel; but gather your children together and teach them the principles of truth and righteousness, and teach them to obey the laws of God, and the day will come that they will arise and bless you.
"Teach unto them every truth which God has revealed. Instil into their young minds every principle that will make them a noble race, and remove from their paths everything that is contrary to God and his commandments. . . . You will then have a race of children who will rise in the midst of Israel, and will break the shackles of superstition and be fit beings to carry on the work which their fathers commenced; and the Spirit of God will assist you in doing these things, provided you put forth all your energies with your might. . . .
"Let every elder of Israel put on the garments of righteousness, teaching by precept and example the true principles which exalt the mind, expand the understanding and make a man fit companion for his Creator. Never dishonor the high and holy calling which has been placed upon him by teaching and suffering to be taught in his home or anywhere that he has influence or power to control, doctrines that are not of God. . . .
"I must conclude, for I feel the infirmities of age creeping on, and knowing not when the Lord shall require me hence, I wish to take this opportunity of adding my mite to the testimonies of the thousands who are scattered throughout the globe, and of those who are gone beyond the veil, and who sealed theirs with their blood.
"In Kirtland, Ohio, four brothers sat in the patriarchal seat in the Temple of God, and I only of that number am left to tell the tale: and as I am now past the time allotted to man to live, it is reasonable that I also will be gathered unto my fathers in the time appointed of God. I therefore bear my testimony, which I wish translated into every language and read to every saint and printed wherever the type is used, that the world may see and hear what I have to say; for if I was young I would visit them, when they should hear from my lips that God has again spoken from the heavens; that he has again condescended to send his angels to visit fallen man, and point out the way whereby he can be saved. He appointed Joseph Smith a prophet, and revealed unto him his commandments. . . .
"I testify that Joseph Smith was a prophet, seer, revelator, and a man of God; and what was revealed through him will prove life and salvation to those who believe and obey, or death and condemnation to all who count it as nought, and harden their hearts against the truths he preached and practised. I knew him—"
I want to impress this paragraph upon your minds:
"I knew him when at his mother's breast, I watched and counseled his youth, but when God spoke and taught him, I bowed to his superior knowledge, and although he was a boy and I am an old man, and his uncle, yet I was not ashamed to learn true principles from him, and like Paul at the feet of Gamaliel, drank in the truths which flowed from the Prophet's lips.
"I was in jail with him and his brother Hyrum a few hours before they were killed, and I can testify before God, that they died innocent of any crime, and that they sealed their testimony with their blood.
"I testify to all men, that I know that the angel has appeared which John the Revelator saw, who had the everlasting gospel to preach to every nation, kindred, tongue and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come.
"And I call on all men, priests and people, kings, potentates, and rulers, to cease their strife, come and obey the gospel, gather with Israel, obey the commandments of God, that you and your dead may be saved and brought up in the first resurrection.
"And I say to the saints that by the power of the Holy Priesthood vested in me, as patriarch, I bless you, and I say unto you, Be faithful, and you shall be blessed in your basket and your store; you shall have all blessings which were promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and the Lord will preserve you as in the hollow of his hand, and no power shall stay the work, for everything that shall be brought against it will fail.
He concludes by signing himself "John Smith, Patriarch to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. G. S. L. Gty, Nov. 8, 1851."
I present this for the purpose of calling attention to the fact that the Prophet Joseph Smith came from men and women who had faith in God, who were readers of the scriptures, who believed in the power of God, and who, where it would be natural for them, because of their age, to direct the youth of their own household, were humble in their souls, and prepared to bow to the superior wisdom, not of the boy, but of our Heavenly Father who inspired him.
It is a beautiful testimony to me because in the evening of his life, when he was ready to pass to the great beyond, he wanted to leave that testimony to the Latter-day Saints—and I leave it with you.
The Testimony of Patriarch John Smith
BY PRESIDENT GEORGE ALBERT SMITH
I have before me a document that was printed in The Deseret News in the year 1851. It is a statement of an uncle of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He was the first stake president of the Adam-ondi-Ahman and the Zarahemla stakes in the East during the Prophet's lifetime as well as the first stake president in the Salt Lake Valley. I refer to John Smith, my great grandfather. He also became Patriarch to the Church. He was born in 1781. This is a statement written not long before the death of this good man — and I will present only a part of it because it is somewhat lengthy:
"It is now upwards of twenty-one years since the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with six members, most of whom are numbered with the dead.
"Soon after its organization I heard the gospel through my nephew, Joseph Smith Jr., and obeyed the commandments of the Lord by entering in at the door, which is baptism. . . .
"If the Presidency and Twelve who are now living had not been servants to the cause when Joseph lived, they would not have been worthy to fill the exalted stations which they now occupy; and always remember 'that he who is the greatest among you must be the servant of all.'
"Bring up your children in the way they should go, that they may be ornaments to the society and a blessing unto you in your old age; and remember that God will not hold you guiltless if you should neglect to attend to this matter. Remember also to teach them to pray; and cause your sons to take part in the family prayer; and beware what company they keep, for 'evil communications corrupt good manners.'
"Let not your daughters mix with the sons of the stranger whom you know nothing about and who are not of the house of Israel; but gather your children together and teach them the principles of truth and righteousness, and teach them to obey the laws of God, and the day will come that they will arise and bless you.
"Teach unto them every truth which God has revealed. Instil into their young minds every principle that will make them a noble race, and remove from their paths everything that is contrary to God and his commandments. . . . You will then have a race of children who will rise in the midst of Israel, and will break the shackles of superstition and be fit beings to carry on the work which their fathers commenced; and the Spirit of God will assist you in doing these things, provided you put forth all your energies with your might. . . .
"Let every elder of Israel put on the garments of righteousness, teaching by precept and example the true principles which exalt the mind, expand the understanding and make a man fit companion for his Creator. Never dishonor the high and holy calling which has been placed upon him by teaching and suffering to be taught in his home or anywhere that he has influence or power to control, doctrines that are not of God. . . .
"I must conclude, for I feel the infirmities of age creeping on, and knowing not when the Lord shall require me hence, I wish to take this opportunity of adding my mite to the testimonies of the thousands who are scattered throughout the globe, and of those who are gone beyond the veil, and who sealed theirs with their blood.
"In Kirtland, Ohio, four brothers sat in the patriarchal seat in the Temple of God, and I only of that number am left to tell the tale: and as I am now past the time allotted to man to live, it is reasonable that I also will be gathered unto my fathers in the time appointed of God. I therefore bear my testimony, which I wish translated into every language and read to every saint and printed wherever the type is used, that the world may see and hear what I have to say; for if I was young I would visit them, when they should hear from my lips that God has again spoken from the heavens; that he has again condescended to send his angels to visit fallen man, and point out the way whereby he can be saved. He appointed Joseph Smith a prophet, and revealed unto him his commandments. . . .
"I testify that Joseph Smith was a prophet, seer, revelator, and a man of God; and what was revealed through him will prove life and salvation to those who believe and obey, or death and condemnation to all who count it as nought, and harden their hearts against the truths he preached and practised. I knew him—"
I want to impress this paragraph upon your minds:
"I knew him when at his mother's breast, I watched and counseled his youth, but when God spoke and taught him, I bowed to his superior knowledge, and although he was a boy and I am an old man, and his uncle, yet I was not ashamed to learn true principles from him, and like Paul at the feet of Gamaliel, drank in the truths which flowed from the Prophet's lips.
"I was in jail with him and his brother Hyrum a few hours before they were killed, and I can testify before God, that they died innocent of any crime, and that they sealed their testimony with their blood.
"I testify to all men, that I know that the angel has appeared which John the Revelator saw, who had the everlasting gospel to preach to every nation, kindred, tongue and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come.
"And I call on all men, priests and people, kings, potentates, and rulers, to cease their strife, come and obey the gospel, gather with Israel, obey the commandments of God, that you and your dead may be saved and brought up in the first resurrection.
"And I say to the saints that by the power of the Holy Priesthood vested in me, as patriarch, I bless you, and I say unto you, Be faithful, and you shall be blessed in your basket and your store; you shall have all blessings which were promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and the Lord will preserve you as in the hollow of his hand, and no power shall stay the work, for everything that shall be brought against it will fail.
He concludes by signing himself "John Smith, Patriarch to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. G. S. L. Gty, Nov. 8, 1851."
I present this for the purpose of calling attention to the fact that the Prophet Joseph Smith came from men and women who had faith in God, who were readers of the scriptures, who believed in the power of God, and who, where it would be natural for them, because of their age, to direct the youth of their own household, were humble in their souls, and prepared to bow to the superior wisdom, not of the boy, but of our Heavenly Father who inspired him.
It is a beautiful testimony to me because in the evening of his life, when he was ready to pass to the great beyond, he wanted to leave that testimony to the Latter-day Saints—and I leave it with you.