Brother Hyrum was born 9 February 1800 in Tunbridge, Orange County, Vermont, United States to Joseph Smith (1771-1840) and Lucy Mack (1775-1856) and died 27 June 1844 Carthage Jail, Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois, United States of Assassination. He married Jerusha Barden (1805-1837) 2 November 1826 in Manchester, Ontario County, New York, United States. He married Mary Fielding (1801-1852) 24 December 1837 in Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio, United States. He married Mercy Rachel Fielding (1807-1893) 11 August 1843 in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, United States.
Biography
Hyrum Smith, was the older brother of Mormon Church founder, Joseph Smith, and provided key assistance to him there in many capacities. Some important roles that Hyrum fulfilled include the following:
- Assistant President of the Church (1841-1844)
- Latter Day Saint Apostle (1841-1844)
- 2nd Presiding Patriarch (1840-1844)
- 2nd Counselor in the First Presidency (1837-1841)
Early Life
Hyrum was born in Tunbridge, Vermont, the second son of Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith. Smith received a limited education, and established himself as a farmer.
Smith attended Dartmouth College in his teens. This may have been one of the factors behind Dr. Nathan Smith treating Smith's brother Joseph's leg.
Witness to the Gold Plates
Hyrum is one of the Eight Witnesses to the Gold Plates.
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen. And we lie not, God bearing witness of it.
He later reaffirmed this testimony: See Times & Seasons Vol 1, pg 23 - (A portion of a letter written by Hyrum Smith from Liberty Jail in 1839.)
Zions Camp Participant
This Judith Mehr rendition depicts struggles endured by members of Zion's Camp, an expeditionary force to help Church members in Jackson County redeem their brethren.
One of the most interesting episodes in the early history of LDS Church was the march of Zion's Camp (1834). The members of the Church in Missouri were being persecuted, and the Prophet Joseph made it a matter of prayer and received a revelation on February 24, 1834. The Lord instructed the Prophet to assemble at least one hundred young and middle-aged men and to go to the land of Zion, or Missouri. (See D&C 130:19–34.)
Zion’s Camp, a group of approximately one hundred and fifty men, gathered at Kirtland, Ohio, in the spring of 1834 and marched to Jackson County, Missouri. By the time they reached Missouri, the camp had increased to approximately two hundred men.
Marriage and Family
First Marriage: Jerusha Barden
Hyrum first married Lovina Smith in 1826. She died after birth of their sixth child in 1837.
- Lovina Smith (1827-1876)
- Mary Smith (1829-1832)
- John Smith (1832-1911)
- Hyrum Smith (1834-1841) - died young, buried in Nauvoo
- Jerusha Smith (1836-1912)
- Sarah Smith (1837-1876)
Second Marriage
After the death of Jerusha, Hyrum married Mary Fielding (1801-1852) on Christmas Eve, 1837. She bore him two children, future church president Joseph F. Smith and Martha.
- Joseph Fielding Smith (1838-1918) - 6th President of the LDS Church
- Martha Ann Smith (1841-1923)
Third Marriage
Hyrum had one polygamous marriage. In August 1843 he married his wife's sister, Mercy Fielding, the widow of Robert B Thompson. They had no children.
Children
Siblings
Descendants
Hyrum's descendants have played significant roles in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph F. Smith, his son by Mary Fielding Smith, served as president of the LDS Church between 1901 and 1918. His grandson, Joseph Fielding Smith also served as president of the church between 1970 and 1972. His eldest son, John Smith, served as Presiding Patriarch of the church between 1855 and 1911, and John Smith's descendants held this post from 1912 to 1932 and from 1942 to 1979, when the office was effectively discontinued and the incumbent, Eldred G. Smith, was given the title patriarch emeritus. M. Russell Ballard, a current member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church, is also a direct descendant of Hyrum Smith.
In 1918 Hyrum Smith descendants erected a Monument to him in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
References
- Joseph Smith Family Ancestry
- Hyrum Smith - Wikipedia
- Hyrum Smith - Grandpa Bill's GA Pages
- Hyrum Smith: Mildness of a Lamb - LDS Ensign Magazine - Feb 2000.
Residences
Footnotes (including sources)
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