George W. Robinson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George W. Robinson
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
George Washington Robinson
May 14, 1814 |
| Died | February 10, 1878 (age 63) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | church elder, clerk, secretary, recorder, postmaster, banker |
| Employer | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, self-employed |
| Known for | Being an early Latter Day Saints Church father in the 1830s-1840s |
| Spouse(s) | Athalia Rigdon |
| Relatives | Sidney Rigdon (father-in-law) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints |
| Service/ |
Mormon militia |
| Years of service | 1838 |
| Unit | Mormon Danites |
| Commands held | Mormon Danites commander |
| Battles/wars | Missouri Mormon War
|
George Washington Robinson (born May 14, 1814 – died February 10, 1878) was an important leader in the early days of the Latter Day Saint movement. He was the very first secretary for the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He also led a group called the Danites and worked as a church recorder in the 1830s. Later, he became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in a different church started in 1845.
Contents
George W. Robinson's Early Life
George Washington Robinson was born in a town called Pawlet, which is in Rutland County, Vermont.
Joining the Latter Day Saints
Becoming a Church Leader
George W. Robinson married Athalia Rigdon in 1837. Her father, Sidney Rigdon, was a well-known leader in the Latter Day Saint church. In the same year, Robinson became the official recorder for the church.
During the Missouri Mormon War in 1838, Robinson became a leader of a group called the Danites. Their job was to help protect Mormon settlers and fight against groups that were against them. On April 6, 1838, Robinson was chosen as the first clerk, or secretary, for the church's First Presidency. He had already worked as a clerk before this. For a time, Robinson was held in Liberty Jail in Liberty, Missouri, along with Joseph Smith, the church's founder.
Life in Nauvoo
In 1839, George Robinson became the first postmaster in Commerce, Illinois. This town was later renamed Nauvoo. Robinson stopped his work as a recorder and secretary in 1840. This happened when he moved from Nauvoo across the Mississippi River to Iowa.
Changes in Church Leadership
By 1842, Robinson started to disagree with the leadership of Joseph Smith. After Smith's death in 1844, there was a big discussion about who should lead the church next. This was called the succession crisis. Robinson supported his father-in-law, Sidney Rigdon, to become the new leader.
In 1845, Rigdon started his own church, which was different from the one led by Brigham Young. Robinson was chosen to be a member of the Rigdonite Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in this new church.
Later Years and New Beginnings
In 1847, Robinson followed Sidney Rigdon's advice and moved from Nauvoo to Friendship, New York. There, in 1864, he started the First National Bank.
