Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Question

 

Gramps,

Did any of Jerusha and Hyrum’s surviving children or descendants become well known in later life?  Were any apostles, etc.?

Elia

 

Answer

 

Elia,

How gracious of you to call attention to Jerusha and Hyrum’s descendants. If I made a list of Hyrum’s descendants serving in the Church, I think most young people would recognize Mary Fielding’s heirs while struggling to recall Jerusha’s. Mary Fielding Smith’s oldest child was Joseph F. Smith (the ‘F’ stands for Fielding) who later was called to be an apostle and serve as President from 1901 to 1918. Joseph F Smith had two sons that were also called to be apostles (Hyrum M. Smith – son of Edna Lambson; and Joseph Fielding Smith – son of Julina Lambson), as well as another son who served in the Presiding Bishopric from 1907 to 1938 (David A. Smith). Joseph Fielding Smith served as President of the Church from 1970 to 1972. And of course I must mention Elder M. Russell Ballard who is currently serving in the Quorum of the Twelve (son of Geraldine Smith, who is the daughter of the aforementioned Hyrum M. Smith).

Jerusha Barden’s progeny have served prominently and faithfully as Presiding Patriarchs in the Church. You may recall the Joseph Smith Sr. was the first ordained Patriarch in this dispensation. He made it clear that the office of Presiding Patriarch followed a lineal succession, and Hyrum should be ordained to that office when Joseph Sr. died. His instructions were followed precisely, but when Hyrum was martyred some chaos ensued. For almost a year the office was left vacant before Hyrum’s younger brother, William Smith, was ordained. William soon left the Church, and the office was again vacant for another 4 years. Finally John Smith, Joseph Sr.’s brother, was called. He served and was succeeded by another John Smith – this one the son of Hyrum and Jerusha. At his death in 1911, his grandson, Hyrum G. Smith was called in his stead. In 1947, the latest in the line of patriarchs answered the call. Eldred G. Smith is the son of Hyrum G.Smith. From 1979 until his death in 2013, he served as Patriarch emeritus, relieved of any former duties he had.

 

Gramps

 

 

 

Copyright © 2024 Ask Gramps - Q and A about Mormon Doctrine. All Rights Reserved.
This website is not owned by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church. The views expressed by individual users are the responsibility of those users and do not necessarily represent the position of the Church. For the official Church websites, please visit churchofjesuschrist.org or comeuntochrist.org.

Pin It on Pinterest