Smith, John, 1832-1911
Dates
- Existence: 1832 - 1911
Biography
John Smith (1832-1911) was the son of Hyrum and Jerusha Barden Smith, a missionary to Denmark, and a Presiding Patriarch of the LDS Church.
John Smith, son of Hyrum and Jerusha Barden Smith, was born September 22, 1832, in Kirtland, Ohio. His mother died when he was five, while his father was in Missouri. Three months later, on 24 December 1837, his father married Mary Fielding. In June 1844, John's father, Hyrum Smith, was murdered. Nineteen months later, the exodus from Nauvoo began. In February 1847, John joined Heber C. Kimball's family on their westward journey. On the westward journey, near Council Bluffs, Iowa, John assisted Col. Thomas L. Kane, who was extremely ill. He helped his family travel to Winter Quarters after arriving there himself. He and his family remained there for the winter. On his sixteenth birthday, September 22, 1848, John Smith drove five wagons into the Salt Lake Valley. In 1853, his stepmother, Mary Fielding Smith, died, leaving John to support a family of eight. He was married on December 25, 1853, to Hellen Maria Fisher, and the couple had nine children. In 1855 he was sustained as the sixth Presiding Patriarch of the Church, replacing his deceased grand-uncle. In 1862, John was called to set aside his duties as Patriarch and go to Scandinavia as a missionary. He served there until 1864. John, was strongly supported in his position as Patriarch by his half brother, Joseph F. Smith. When Joseph F. Smith became President of the Church in 1901, he requested that "strictly in accordance with the pattern the Lord has established," John, as Patriarch, should do the ordaining. As Patriarch of the Church, John pronounced over 20,000 blessings. He died at his residence in Salt Lake on November 6, 1911.
Citation:
Biographical information for John Smith was taken from the collection itself; from articles found in Andrew Jenson, L.D.S. Biographical Encyclopedia. 4 volumes (Salt Lake City UT: Deseret News Press, 1901-39) [Vol. 1, pp. 52-3;183-6 and Vol. 3, p. 780]; and from Irene May Bates, "Transformation of charisma in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: a history of the office of Presiding Patriarch, 1833-1979," (Ph.D. dissertation, UCLA, 1991), pp. 212-38.Found in 10 Collections and/or Records:
Miles Anderson papers
This collection contains 2 diaries covering briefly related experiences and financial dealings of Anderson during the period of 1842-1856, from Nauvoo to the Utah Territory. Also includes patriarchal blessings given by Hyrum Smith and John Smith, as well as other documents and correspondence. Two diaries, family correspondence, patriarchal blessings, family land deeds, Nauvoo Legion Certificate, and War of 1812 pension certificate.
Don C. S. Millikin and Joseph Smith letters
Typed copy of two letters. Smith's letter is dated August 14, 1863 and was addressed to his cousin "John," presumably John Smith of Salt Lake City, Utah. Smith mentions the visit of two other cousins, Joseph F. Smith and Samuel H. B. Smith. Also included is a letter by Don C. S. Millikin dated August 19, 1863 and addressed to "Dear Friend and Cousin." Millikin also writes about the visit of Samuel and Joseph.
Monument dedication
Typewritten transcript of services conducted at the dedication of a cemetery monument in Salt Lake City, Utah, erected to the memory of John Smith, George A. Smith and John Henry Smith. Joseph F. Smith was a speaker at the services.
Patriarchal blessing of Henrietta Holladay
Handwritten patriarchal blessing, dated 16 Dec. 1869, and was given to Henrietta Holladay. Smith tells Holladay that she will be able to receive salvation by following the teachings of the Mormon Church.
Photographs of John Smith and Gee families
Pinegar family patriarchal blessings
Photocopy of microfilmed copies of the original materials. The collection consists of patriarchal blessings given to members of the Pinegar family. The partriarchs giving the blessings are John Smith (2), William Grotegut (1), and Hyrum G. Smith (2). Also included are Pinegar and Palmer family genealogies.
Smith family artifacts
John Smith notebook
Notebook containing handwritten miscellaneous entries and a loose sheet both of which contain various handwritten genealogies of families in Logan, Utah. The notebook also contains notes on Mormon missionary activities in England in 1889-90 and four patriarchal blessings given by John Smith (1832-1911).
John Smith papers
Collection contains papers related to Smith's mission to Denmark, life in Utah with family, and his position as Presiding Patriarch of the LDS Church. Includes diaries, letters, articles containing references to John, his personal patriarchal blessing, sheep accounts, family history notes, and copies of patriarchal blessings pronounced by himself. Dated 1848-1962.
John Smith patriarchal blessings
Photocopies of three handwritten items. The documents are two copies of the same patriarchal blessing given to Charles Hawkins on 12 Aug. 1888 and a copy of a patriarchal blessing given to Susan Sophia Hawkins on 2 Aug. 1888. The blessings assure Charles and Susan Hawkins that they are noble spirits who will be able to go to heaven.
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