1. Hyrum Smith was an American religious leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the original church of the Latter Day Saint movement.
16 Facts About Hyrum Smith
1. 2.
Hyrum Smith was the older brother of the movement's founder, Joseph Smith, and was killed with his brother at Carthage Jail where they were being held awaiting trial.
3.
Hyrum Smith was born in Tunbridge, Vermont, the second son of Joseph Smith Sr.
4.
Between the ages of 12 and 15, Smith briefly attended Moor's Charity School on the campus of Dartmouth College while his family lived in nearby Lebanon, New Hampshire.
5.
Hyrum Smith was a close advisor and confidant to his brother Joseph as the latter produced the Book of Mormon and established the Church of Christ.
6.
In June 1829, Hyrum Smith was baptized in Seneca Lake, New York.
7.
Hyrum Smith was one of the Eight Witnesses who swore to the reality of a set of golden plates inscribed with the Book of Mormon.
8.
Hyrum Smith served as presiding officer of a church branch in Colesville, New York, and was one of the first Latter Day Saint missionaries in the surrounding area.
9.
In 1834, under the direction of Joseph Hyrum Smith, he recruited members for a militia, Zion's Camp, and traveled with the group to the aid of the Latter Day Saints in Missouri.
10.
Hyrum Smith was appointed Second Counselor in the church's First Presidency in November 1837.
11.
Hyrum Smith replaced Oliver Cowdery as Assistant President of the Church; in this capacity, Smith acted as President of the Church in Joseph's absence and was designated to be Joseph's successor if he were killed or incapacitated.
12.
Hyrum Smith refused and, in 1844, traveled with Joseph to Carthage, Illinois, where both were charged with riot and treason.
13.
At the time of his death, Hyrum Smith was an independent candidate for the Illinois state legislature.
14.
Hyrum Smith's descendants have played significant roles in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
15.
In 1918, Hyrum Smith's descendants erected a monument to him in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
16.
In 2000, it was estimated that Hyrum Smith had over 31,000 living descendants.