Smith, Hyrum, 1800-1844

Letter written by Hyrum Smith and signed for Joseph Smith from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Oliver Granger. Smith writes of a Mr. Devenport from New York who brought a judgement in favor of Boynton & Hyde, and urges Granger to pay the "just" debt. He also writes of the deaths of D.C. Smith and Robert B. Thompson from "quick consumption", mentions Brother Phelps and Hiram Kimball, and describes drought conditions. Smith concludes by writing "this is an Eventful Period...A day of Darkness...what ever the Saints find to do let them do it quickly...and set them...to be Prepared to die." The Smiths were apparently unaware that Granger had died in Kirtland, Ohio, on August 25. The body and signatures are in the handwriting of Hyrum Smith.

From the description of Letter to Oliver Granger, 1841, August 30. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 772469635

Hyrum Smith, the second son of Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith and older brother of Joseph Smith, Jun., was born in Tunbridge VT, February 9, 1800. At nineteen he moved with his family to western New York. On November 12, 1826 he married Jerusha Barden. He was baptized by his brother Joseph in Seneca Lake in June 1829 and was one of the Eight Witnesses to see the actual gold plates of the Book of Mormon. Hyrum's wife, Jerusha, died in October of 1837, shortly before Hyrum was called as Joseph Smith's Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church. During the 1830's Hyrum served several short missions for the Church, mostly in Ohio. Hoping for a respite from religious persecution, the main body of the Church moved from Ohio to Missouri in 1838. As the oppression intensified in Missouri, however, Hyrum and his brother Joseph were incarcerated in the jail at Liberty, Missouri for about six months before escaping to western Illinois in April of 1839. Hyrum later helped establish the city of Nauvoo and held several civil and military offices in Nauvoo. In January of 1841, Hyrum was called to be Patriarch of the Church. The office, being hereditary, was passed to him upon his father's death. He was also called to serve as Associate President of the Church in 1841. In June 1844 he was again imprisoned with Joseph. This imprisonment took place at Carthage, Illinois. On June 27, 1844 Hyrum and Joseph were both killed by a mob that stormed the Carthage jail.

From the description of Hyrum Smith papers, ca. 1840. (Brigham Young University). WorldCat record id: 51599779

Mormon Church leader and brother of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith.

From the description of Statement, 1843. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122322758

Second patriarch of the Mormon Church and brother of the first president of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith (1805-1844).

From the description of Diary and account book, 1831-1844. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122322680

American religious leader and first Patriarch to the Mormon Church.

From the description of Patriarchal blessings, 1844-1889. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122609009

From the guide to the Moore family patriarchal blessings, 1844-1889, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

Hyrum Smith, the second son of Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith and older brother of Joseph Smith, Jun., was born in Tunbridge, Vt., 9 February 1800. At nineteen he moved with his family to western New York. On 12November 1826 he married Jerusha Barden. He was baptized by his brother Joseph in Seneca Lake in June 1829 and was one of the Eight Witnesses to see the actual gold plates of the Book of Mormon. Hyrum's wife, Jerusha, died in October of 1837, shortly before Hyrum was called as Joseph Smith's Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church. During the 1830's Hyrum served several short missions for the Church, mostly in Ohio. Hoping for a respite from religious persecution, the main body of the Church moved from Ohio to Missouri in 1838. As the oppression intensified in Missouri, however, Hyrum and his brother Joseph were incarcerated in the jail at Liberty, Missouri for about six months before escaping to western Illinois in April of 1839. Hyrum later helped establish the city of Nauvoo and held several civil and military offices in Nauvoo. In January of 1841, Hyrum was called to be Patriarch of the Church. The office, being hereditary, was passed to him upon his father's death. He was also called to serve as Associate President of the Church in 1841. In June 1844 he was again imprisoned with Joseph. This imprisonment took place at Carthage, Illinois. On 27 June 1844 Hyrum and Joseph were both killed by a mob that stormed the Carthage jail.

From the description of Hyrum Smith papers, circa 1832-1844. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 367601592

Second patriarch of the Mormon Church.

From the description of Patriarchal blessing, 1842. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 82084737

Mormon Church leader, patriarch, and martyr. Brother of the prophet Joseph Smith (1805-1844).

From the description of Minutes, 1841-1842. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145435163

From the guide to the Hyrum Smith freemason minutes, 1841-1842, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

Hyrum Smith (1800-1844) was an early member and leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who was martyred at Carthage, Illinois.

Hyrum Smith, the second son of Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith and older brother of Joseph Smith, Jun., was born in Tunbridge, Vt., February 9, 1800. At nineteen he moved with his family to western New York. On 12November 1826 he married Jerusha Barden. He was baptized by his brother Joseph in Seneca Lake in June 1829 and was one of the Eight Witnesses to see the actual gold plates of the Book of Mormon. Hyrum's wife, Jerusha, died in October of 1837, shortly before Hyrum was called as Joseph Smith's Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church. Hyrum then married Mary Fielding on December 24, 1837.

During the 1830's Hyrum served several short missions for the Church, mostly in Ohio. Hoping for a respite from religious persecution, the main body of the Church moved from Ohio to Missouri in 1838. As the oppression intensified in Missouri, however, Hyrum and his brother Joseph were incarcerated in the jail at Liberty, Missouri for about six months before escaping to western Illinois in April of 1839. Hyrum later helped establish the city of Nauvoo and held several civil and military offices in Nauvoo.

In January of 1841, Hyrum was called to be Patriarch of the Church. The office, being hereditary, was passed to him upon his father's death. He was also called to serve as Associate President of the Church in 1841. In June 1844 he was again imprisoned with Joseph. This imprisonment took place at Carthage, Illinois. On June 27, 1844 Hyrum and Joseph were both killed by a mob that stormed the Carthage jail.

From the guide to the Hyrum Smith papers, approximately 1832-1844, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)