Elias Smith (Mormon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elias Smith |
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Elias Smith ca. 1880
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| Members of the Council of Fifty | |
| 1844 – June 24, 1888 | |
| Called by | Joseph Smith |
| Probate judge | |
| In office | |
| 1851 – 1882 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 6, 1804 Royalton, Vermont, United States |
| Died | June 24, 1888 (aged 83) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Resting place | Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′38″N 111°51′29″W / 40.7772°N 111.8580°W |
| Occupation | Business manager |
| Employer | Deseret News |
| Spouse(s) | Lucy Brown Amy Jane King |
| Parents | Asahel Smith Elizabeth Schellenger |
Elias Smith (born September 6, 1804 – died June 24, 1888) was an important early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. He held significant positions in the church. For example, he was a president of high priests in the church from 1870 to 1877. He also led the high priests quorum in the Salt Lake Stake from 1877 to 1888.
Contents
Elias Smith's Life Story
Elias Smith was born in Royalton, Vermont. His parents were Asael Smith, Jr. and Elizabeth Schellenger. In 1809, his family moved to Stockholm, New York. Elias grew up on a farm there. He had very few chances to go to school.
When he was 21, Elias started working in public life. He held different jobs in Stockholm. He also worked as a school teacher for several terms.
Joining the New Faith
Elias's cousin, Joseph Smith, announced a new religion. This new faith interested many members of the Smith family. Elias was 31 years old when he joined the Latter Day Saints. This was in 1835.
Joseph Smith, Sr., the first patriarch of the church, visited his brothers' families in 1830. He brought them a copy of the Book of Mormon. Most of Elias's family were baptized in July 1835. Elias was baptized on August 27, 1835. The next morning, he became an elder. The Smith family helped start a church branch in Stockholm. In May 1836, Elias's family moved to Kirtland, Ohio.
Moving to Kirtland
In Kirtland, Elias Smith taught school in 1837 and 1838. Later in 1837, some church leaders tried to cause problems. Joseph Smith and other leaders had to leave Kirtland. A large group of over 600 faithful members decided to follow them. This group was called Kirtland Camp.
Elias Smith was one of the seven leaders of Kirtland Camp. They left Kirtland in July 1838. They arrived in Far West, Missouri, on October 2. After that, the governor's army forced the Mormons out of Missouri. Elias was one of the people who helped move the Latter Day Saints from Missouri to Illinois. He was among the last to leave Far West.
Life in Nauvoo
Elias Smith settled in Nashville, Iowa Territory. This was across the river from Nauvoo, Illinois. In Iowa, he became a member of the church's high council. Later, he became a bishop for that area. He held this position until he moved to Nauvoo.
In Nauvoo, Elias worked with the church's newspapers. He managed the Times and Seasons and the Nauvoo Neighbor. In 1844, Elias Smith joined the Council of Fifty. After Joseph Smith passed away, Elias followed the leadership of Brigham Young.
Moving to Utah
Elias Smith and his family left Nauvoo in May 1846. They planned to go to the Salt Lake Valley with the church. However, they could not make the journey that year. They moved to Iowaville, Iowa, instead. His mother passed away there in 1846, and his father in 1848.
In 1851, Elias moved to Utah Territory. Soon after, he was chosen to be a probate judge for Salt Lake County. He worked as a judge until 1882. In 1852, Elias Smith led a group that helped create new laws for the territory.
Besides his work as a judge, Elias was also the business manager for the Deseret News newspaper. He was also the postmaster of Salt Lake City from 1854 to 1858. In 1856, he became the editor of the Deseret News. He held this job until 1862. After that, he focused mostly on his duties as a judge. In 1862, he helped write a constitution for the proposed state of Utah.
Elias's Family Life
Elias Smith was 41 years old when he got married. He married Lucy Brown in Nauvoo on August 6, 1845. Lucy was born in England in 1820. She joined the Latter Day Saints church in 1842. She arrived in Nauvoo in 1843. Elias and Lucy had a son named Elias A. Smith. Their son later became a judge in Salt Lake County, just like his father. Elias Smith also had another wife, Amy Jane King. He was a father to sixteen children in total.
Elias Smith passed away at his home in Salt Lake City.
