Pioneer: 2007 Vol.54, No.3

aptized in freezing
water through a hole
that had been cut
in the ice*
In 1833, he
joined the Saints in
Kirtland, Ohio,
where he was or¬
dained a high priest
and was chosen as a
member of the Klrtland
High Council. Before
becoming president of the Salt Lake Stake, he was a stake
president four times—in Adam-ondi-Ahman (Missouri),
Zarahemla (across the river from Nauvoo), Macedonia
(Illinois), and Nauvoo*
Fleeing Nauvoo, Uncle John arrived in the Salt Lake
Valley with the second company of pioneers on Sept, 23,
On Sunday, Oct, 3, 1847, the Salt Lake Stake was offi¬
cially organized with Charles C. Rich as first counselor
and John R. Young as second.
During his tenure the first companies of pioneers en¬
tered the Valley and he was in charge of overseeing their
welfare* The most taxing event he dealt with as stake pres¬
ident was the invasion of crickets in the summer ot 1848.
The hoped-for bounteous crop, the food supply for the
settled and the incoming converts, was being threatened.
A man of optimism and faith, John Smith encouraged the
Saints to trust in the Lord in spite of what looked like dev¬
astation, saying, “The Lord led us here and He has not led
us here to starve.”1 Prayers were answered, and the miracle
of the gulls allowed for a good harvest. A feast of thanks¬
giving was held on Aug. 10, 1848, for the 1,800 Saints in
the Valley and invited Indian guests*
Brigham Young returned from Winter Quarters on
Sept* 20, 1848. After serving as stake president a year,
John Smith was called to be Patriarch to the Church (the
position previously held by his brother Joseph Smith Sr*
before his death) at a general conference on Oct. 8, 1848.
During his time as Patriarch, he administered 5,560 pa¬
triarchal blessings.
John Smith died in Salt Lake City on May 23, 1854,
at the age of 63* “He closed the arduous duties of a well
occupied probation and passed to a position of rest,
where his works will nobly follow and honor him
and where he will continue his able counsels for the pros¬
perity and welfare of Zion”2
Father John Smith left a legacy of devoted descen¬
dants* He was the lather of Apostle George A. Smith,
grandfather of Apostle John Henry Smith, great grand¬
father of President George Albert Smith, and also great
grandfather of Nicholas G* Smith (former bishop of the
17th Ward in the Salt Lake Stake, Assistant to the Council
of the Twelve, and Acting Patriarch to the Church).
16 PIONEER * Vo l. 54, N o. 3 *2007