Smith, George Albert, 1817-1875
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 15 Collections and/or Records:
James G. Bleak diaries and letters
Book B, 1855 February-December
Includes deeds of consecration to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Includes a consecration deed that belonged to Apostle George A. Smith. Recorded by Lucius N. Scovil, county recorder, and Isaac Higbee, probate judge. Dated February-December 1855.
William Horne Dame certificates and letter
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.
Jacob Gates papers
Ansil Perse Harmon letter of introduction
Printed and signed letter of introduction for Ansil P. Harmon who was going on a mission for the Mormon Church.
John L. Smith personal and family papers, 1792-1950
Contains priesthood blessing transcripts, legal documents, articles, letters, and other Smith family papers, dated 1792 to 1950.
Augusta Bowen Cleveland Smith papers
Handwritten correspondence, patriarchal blessings, poems, songs, and miscellaneous items. The bulk of the collection are letters between Smith and family members. The materials relate to family matters. Also included are letters from the Mormon apostle, George Albert Smith, to John L.Smith that deal with George's Mormon Church-related activities.
Bathsheba W. Bigler Smith autobiography
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.
Retrospective diary of George Albert Smith
Typewritten retrospective history of the march of Zion's Camp written from notes and memory in 1857.
George Albert Smith mortgage agreement
Handwritten mortgage agreement of George A Smith (1817-1875) for property in Salt Lake City, Utah. The item was signed by Thomas Bullock (1816-1885), the recorder for Salt Lake City.