Hyrum Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hyrum Smith |
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| Assistant President of the Church | |
| January 24, 1841 – June 27, 1844 | |
| Called by | Joseph Smith |
| Latter Day Saint Apostle | |
| January 24, 1841 – June 27, 1844 | |
| Called by | Joseph Smith |
| Reason | Excommunication of Oliver Cowdery |
| Reorganization at end of term |
No apostles ordained |
| 2nd Presiding Patriarch | |
| September 14, 1840 – June 27, 1844 | |
| Called by | Joseph Smith |
| Second Counselor in the First Presidency | |
| November 7, 1837 – January 24, 1841 | |
| Called by | Joseph Smith |
| End reason | Called as Assistant President of the Church |
| Assistant Counselor in the First Presidency | |
| September 3, 1837 – November 7, 1837 | |
| Called by | Joseph Smith |
| End reason | Called as Second Counselor in the First Presidency |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 9, 1800 Tunbridge, Vermont, United States |
| Died | June 27, 1844 (aged 44) Carthage, Illinois, United States |
| Cause of death | Gunshot wound |
| Resting place | Smith Family Cemetery 40°32′25.98″N 91°23′31.06″W / 40.5405500°N 91.3919611°W |
| Spouse(s) | Jerusha Barden Mary F. Smith Mercy F. Thompson |
| Children | 8 |
| Parents | Joseph Smith Sr. Lucy Mack Smith |
Hyrum Smith (born February 9, 1800 – died June 27, 1844) was an important American religious leader. He was a key figure in the early days of the Latter Day Saint movement. Hyrum was the older brother of Joseph Smith, who founded the original Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Sadly, Hyrum was killed alongside his brother Joseph at Carthage Jail in Illinois. They were being held there while waiting for a trial.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Hyrum Smith was born in Tunbridge, Vermont. He was the second son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith.
When he was between 12 and 15 years old, Hyrum went to Moor's Charity School. This school was on the campus of Dartmouth College. His family lived nearby in Lebanon, New Hampshire, at that time.
Service in the Church
Hyrum Smith was a very close friend and helper to his brother Joseph. He supported Joseph as he worked on the Book of Mormon and started the Church of Christ. In June 1829, Hyrum was baptized in Seneca Lake, New York.
He was one of the Eight Witnesses who said they saw the actual golden plates. These plates were said to contain the writings of the Book of Mormon. Hyrum also stated that he saw the angel Moroni.
When the Church of Christ officially began on April 6, 1830, Hyrum Smith was one of the six original members. At 30 years old, he was the oldest of them. He led a church group in Colesville, New York. He was also one of the first missionaries for the Latter Day Saints in that area.
Moving West and Leadership Roles
As the church grew, its main offices and members moved west. Hyrum and his family moved too. In 1831, he made his home in Kirtland, Ohio. While living there, he managed the quarry that provided stone for the Kirtland Temple.
From 1831 to 1833, he served as a missionary in Missouri and Ohio. In 1834, Joseph Smith asked him to help gather people for a group called Zion's Camp. This group traveled to help Latter Day Saints in Missouri.
In November 1837, Hyrum became the Second Counselor in the church's First Presidency. This was an important leadership position. In 1838 and 1839, Hyrum, Joseph, and three other church leaders were held in a jail cell in Liberty, Missouri. They were waiting for a trial.
New Responsibilities in Nauvoo
After moving to Nauvoo, Illinois, Hyrum took on new roles. He became the church's Presiding Patriarch. His father, Joseph Smith Sr., had held this position before him.
Hyrum also took over from Oliver Cowdery as Assistant President of the Church. In this role, Hyrum could lead the church if Joseph was away. He was also chosen to be Joseph's successor if something happened to Joseph. Even though Hyrum was not officially called an apostle, his role as assistant president likely gave him similar authority.
Tragic End in Carthage
Joseph Smith warned Hyrum about possible danger and suggested he and his family go to Cincinnati, Ohio. But Hyrum chose to stay. In 1844, he traveled with Joseph to Carthage, Illinois. There, they faced serious accusations.
Joseph, Hyrum, John Taylor, and Willard Richards were held in a jail in Carthage. On June 27, 1844, a large group of men attacked the building. As Hyrum tried to block the door, he was shot in the face. He fell back, and another shot hit him in the back. As he fell, he said, "I am a dead man," and passed away.
John Taylor was shot many times but survived. Joseph Smith was also hit by bullets and fell from a second-story window, where he was shot again. Because of his important role as Assistant President, Hyrum likely would have led the church if he had lived longer than his brother.
Family Life
Hyrum Smith married Jerusha Barden on November 2, 1826, in Manchester, New York. They had six children together:
- Lovina Smith (1827–1876)
- Mary Smith (1829–1832)
- John Smith (1832–1911)
- Hyrum Smith (1834–1841)
- Jerusha Smith (1836–1912)
- Sarah Smith (1837–1876)
After Jerusha passed away, Hyrum married Mary Fielding Smith on December 24, 1837, in Kirtland, Ohio. They had two children:
- Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918)
- Martha Ann Smith (1841–1923)
Descendants and Legacy
Hyrum Smith's family members have played very important roles in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
- His son, Joseph F. Smith, became the LDS Church president from 1901 to 1918.
- His grandson, Joseph Fielding Smith, also served as president of the church from 1970 to 1972.
- His oldest son, John Smith, was the church's Presiding Patriarch from 1855 to 1911. Other descendants of John Smith also held this position for many years.
- M. Russell Ballard, a recent leader in the LDS Church, was also a direct descendant of Hyrum Smith.
In 1918, Hyrum Smith's family built a monument to honor him in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. By the year 2000, it was estimated that Hyrum Smith had over 31,000 living descendants.
Images for kids
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Monument to Hyrum Smith
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Detail of the Hyrum Smith Monument
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Another view of the monument
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Close-up of the monument's inscription
See also
- Latter Day Saint martyrs
