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Smith, George Albert, 1817-1875

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1817 - 1875

Biographical History

George Albert Smith (1817-1875) was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and was the First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

George Albert Smith was born June 26, 1817 to John Smith and Clarissa Lyman in Potsdam, New York. He was raised a Congregationalist, but failed to believe in the sect. He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 10, 1832 by Joseph Wakefield. In May 1833, he and his parents moved with the Saints to Kirtland, Ohio. A year later, Smith, at just 16 years old, accompanied a group of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on a 2000-mile march to Missouri and back to Ohio. This trip, known as Zion's Camp, was intended to bring aid to suffering members of the Church in Missouri. During the summers of 1835 and 1837, Smith served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern United States, while going to school during the winters of those same years.

George Albert Smith was ordained an Apostle on April 26, 1839 at Far West, Missouri by Heber C. Kimball. After his cousin, Joseph Smith Jr.'s, death, George Albert Smith traveled with many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Salt Lake Valley. After arriving in Utah, Smith led a company establish a colony. They arrived at Centre Creek, 265 miles from Salt Lake City, on January 13, 1851. Under direction from the General Assembly of the State of Deseret, the group organized the political entity of Iron County and elected Smith as chief justice. Smith taught school during the first winter, and later served as a member of Utah's territorial legislature. In 1868, Smith was called as the First Counelor in the First Presidency under Brigham Young. The city of St. George, Utah, is named after him because of his colonizing efforts in Southern Utah. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant General in the territorial militia and was elected territorial senator. George Albert Smith died September 1, 1875 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Citation:
His The rise, progress, and travels of the Church of Jesus Christ ... 1873.

Pusey, M. J. Builders of the kingdom, George A. Smith, John Henry Smith, George Albert Smith, 1981: t.p. (George A. Smith)

UPB files, Sept. 26, 2016 (George Albert Smith)

Wikipedia, via WWW, Sept. 26, 2016 (b. June 26, 1817, Potsdam, NY; parents: John Smith, Clarissa Lyman; Congregationalist; moved to Kirtland, Ohio, 1833; Zion's Camp exp. 1834; miss. U.S. 1835-1837; edu. 1835-1837; apostle, 1839; move to S.L. Valley; Centre Creek, 1851; Iron County, c. justice; teacher, legislature; First Counselor, 1868; St. George name; Leiutenant General terr. militia; terr. senator; d. Sept. 1, 1875, SLC, UT)

Grampa Bill's General Authority Pages, via WWW, Sept. 26, 2016 (bapt. Sept. 10, 1832, by Joseph Wakefield)

Found in 17 Collections and/or Records:

C. W. Carter photographs and negatives of early Utah

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS P 133
Scope and Contents

Collection includes photographs and negatives with images of Salt Lake City, Utah, leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and other Utah residents.

Dates: approximately 1860-1899

William Horne Dame certificates and letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230340405]
Identifier: MSS 110
Abstract

The folder contains microfilmed copies of a certificate of membership in the Utah territorial legislature, a certificate verifying that Dame was an elder in the Mormon Church, and a letter, dated 12 August 1858, of an "investigating committee" of prominent Mormons (including the apostle, George Albert Smith) stating that complaints against Dame were without foundation. The nature of these complaints was not stated.

Dates: 1856-1858

Faculty data sheets

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 5030
Scope and Contents

The six volumes contain faculty and graduate faculty data sheets dated April 1966. Data includes academic institutions attended, publications, memberships and activities in professional organizations.

Dates: 1966 April

First Presidency circular

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230340256]
Identifier: MSS 101
Abstract

The folder contains a printed circular addressed "To the Bishop and the Board of the United Order in Your Ward." The item requests that food and tools be sent to St. George, Utah to assist in the construction of the Mormon temple there. The item was endorsed by Brigham Young, George A. Smith, and Daniel H. Wells.

Dates: 1874

Ansil Perse Harmon letter of introduction

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233284949]
Identifier: Vault MSS 122
Scope and Contents

Printed and signed letter of introduction for Ansil P. Harmon who was going on a mission for the Mormon Church.

Dates: 1874

History of George Albert Smith in Zion's Camp photocopy

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230234640]
Identifier: MSS SC 135
Scope and Contents

Handwritten account of Smith's experiences while a member of Zion's Camp, including an encounter with spies.

Dates: 1834

Record of the President John Rigg's prayer circle

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233291936]
Identifier: Vault MSS 660
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten and bound volume recording the minutes of a Mormon prayer circle. The group was established 13 July 1857 in Provo, Utah, at the request of George Albert Smith.

Dates: 1857-1863

Bathsheba W. Bigler Smith autobiography

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230336791]
Identifier: MSS 920
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a 260-page handwritten autobiography. Smith includes copies of correspondence and patriarchal blessings in her account. She joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1837, lived with the Mormons in Missouri and Illinois, married George Albert Smith in 1841, allowed him to take additional wives, came to Utah in 1849, and served as president of the Relief Society.

Dates: 1844-1906

Retrospective diary of George Albert Smith

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230237080]
Identifier: MSS SC 270
Scope and Contents

Typewritten retrospective history of the march of Zion's Camp written from notes and memory in 1857.

Dates: 1834

George Albert Smith letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230348150]
Identifier: MSS 1365
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and signed letter, addressed to "Eliza," composed in Salt Lake City, Utah, and dated 19 Dec. 1868. Smith expresses grief over the death of a child in Eliza's family.

Dates: 1868 December 19