George A. Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids George A. Smith |
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| First Counselor in the First Presidency | |
| October 7, 1868 – September 1, 1875 | |
| Called by | Brigham Young |
| Predecessor | Heber C. Kimball |
| Successor | John W. Young |
| Quorum of the Twelve Apostles | |
| April 26, 1839 – October 7, 1868 | |
| Called by | Joseph Smith |
| End reason | Called as First Counselor in the First Presidency |
| LDS Church Apostle | |
| April 26, 1839 – September 1, 1875 | |
| Called by | Joseph Smith |
| Reason | Replenishing Quorum of the Twelve |
| Reorganization at end of term |
No apostles ordained |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George Albert Smith June 26, 1817 Potsdam, New York, United States |
| Died | September 1, 1875 (aged 58) Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, United States |
| Resting place | Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′37″N 111°51′29″W / 40.777°N 111.858°W |
| Spouse(s) | 7 |
| Children | 20 |
| Parents | John Smith Clarissa Lyman |
George Albert Smith (born June 26, 1817 – died September 1, 1875) was an important early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. He served in key roles within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). These roles included being a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency.
Smith was also a leader in setting up many towns in southern Utah. The city of St. George, Utah might even be named after him.
Contents
Early Life and Family
George A. Smith was born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, New York. His parents were John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. He grew up in the Congregational Church. His first cousin was Joseph Smith, who founded the Latter Day Saint movement.
In September 1832, when he was 15, George A. Smith was baptized into the Church of Christ. This happened eight months after his parents joined. The next year, his family moved to Kirtland, Ohio, which was the church's main center. There, George met his cousin Joseph for the first time. In 1838, he moved with his family and many other church members to Missouri.
Church Service and Leadership
Early Missions and Ordination
In the spring of 1834, 16-year-old George A. Smith joined a group of Latter Day Saints on a long journey. This trip, called Zion's Camp, was meant to help church members in Missouri. Smith also served as a missionary in the eastern United States. He traveled and preached during the summers from 1835 to 1837, while studying in the winters.
On March 1, 1835, Joseph Smith ordained George A. Smith as a seventy in the priesthood. Then, on April 26, 1839, at age 21, George A. Smith became an apostle. He joined the Quorum of the Twelve. Wilford Woodruff, who later became a church president, was also ordained an apostle that day.
Pioneer and Community Builder
After Joseph Smith's death, Brigham Young became the church leader. George A. Smith traveled to the Salt Lake Valley as a Mormon pioneer with the first group of settlers in 1847. In the winter of 1850, Smith led 118 volunteers and about 30 families to start a new community. They settled near the Little Salt Lake in Iron County.
They arrived on January 13, 1851, about 265 miles from Salt Lake City. The group created the area known as Iron County and chose Smith as their chief justice. During that first winter, the settlers built a fort with homes, a meeting house, a school, and a watch tower. They named their new town Parowan. Smith taught at the school that winter. He later served in Utah's territorial government.
Later Church Roles
In 1868, Smith was asked to become the First Counselor to church president Brigham Young. He served in this important position until his death in 1875. Smith's first wife, Bathsheba W. Smith, later led the church's Relief Society from 1901 to 1910. His son, John Henry Smith, also became an apostle and a member of the First Presidency. George A. Smith's grandson, also named George Albert Smith, later became the eighth president of the church.
From 1854 to 1871, Smith was the eighth official Church Historian for the LDS Church. In 1873, he was chosen to be the Trustee-in-Trust for the church, a role he held until he died.
Role in the Utah War
In 1857, when U.S. troops were expected to arrive in Utah Territory, Brigham Young and other church leaders took action. George A. Smith traveled to southern Utah communities. His visits, speeches, and actions during this time may have increased fear and tension in these areas. This tension contributed to events that led to the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Smith left Salt Lake City on August 3, 1857. He arrived in Parowan, Utah, on August 8. On August 15, he began a tour of the local military area. This area was managed by the Utah militia, known as the Nauvoo Legion. Smith, though only a private in the Legion, was seen as representing church leadership. He inspected troops and gave instructions.
During his tour, Smith gave speeches about military readiness. He advised Mormons to be ready to "touch fire to their homes" and hide in the mountains if needed. He told them to defend their land to the very end. Smith also told church members to save their grain and not sell it to travelers or use it for animal feed.
Smith visited Cedar City and Santa Clara. On August 20, he stopped at Mountain Meadows for dinner with missionaries. In Santa Clara, Smith spoke to a group of Native Americans. He warned them that "the Americans" were coming with a large army and were a threat to both Native Americans and Mormons.
On August 21, Smith met with Isaac C. Haight, a local church leader. Haight told Smith he heard reports of 600 troops approaching Cedar City. Haight said he might have to act without waiting for orders from Salt Lake City. Smith agreed, saying he "admired his grit." Smith later felt uneasy because some militia members were eager to fight. They wanted revenge for past events, like the Haun's Mill massacre in 1838.
On his way back to Salt Lake City, Smith traveled with Jacob Hamblin and several Native American chiefs. On August 25, 1857, Smith's group camped near the Fancher–Baker group at Corn Creek. Smith later said he didn't know about the Fancher–Baker party before meeting them. When the Fancher–Baker party asked about places for water and grazing, Hamblin directed them to Mountain Meadows. This was a common stop on the Old Spanish Trail.
Physical Appearance
Smith was a large man, about 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall and weighing at least 250 pounds (110 kg). He was known for sometimes taking off his wig to wipe his forehead while speaking. After seeing Smith remove his hair, glasses, and false teeth, the Paiute people gave him the name Non-choko-wicher, which means "takes himself apart."
Death
George A. Smith died in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. He was buried at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Images for kids
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Grave marker of George A. Smith
See also
In Spanish: George A. Smith para niños
