William B. Smith, Patriarch

Wikipedia Biographical Summary

"...William Smith (also found as William B. Smith) (March 13, 1811 – November 13, 1893) was a leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and one of the original members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Smith was the eighth child of Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith and was a younger brother of Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement..."

"...On October 6, 1845, over a year after the assassinations of his brothers Joseph and Hyrum, Smith was disfellowshipped from the church and removed from the Quorum of the Twelve by Brigham Young, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

As a result, Smith did not follow Young and the majority of Latter Day Saints who settled in Utah Territory and established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Rather, Smith followed the leadership of James J. Strang and was involved with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)...."

"...Smith served a term in the Illinois General Assembly in 1842, being elected to the Illinois House of Representatives..."

"...When Smith died at Osterdock, Clayton County, Iowa, he was the last brother of Joseph Smith, Jr. to die. He was survived by his sisters Sophronia and Catherine..."

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Smith_%28Mormonism%29

One of the original Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, brother to the Prophet Joseph Smith, and Patriarch to the Church.
He was at one time allowed to feel and lift the pages of the golden plates of The Book of Mormon through the pillow case Joseph kept them in.
He also accompanied Zion's Camp and practiced plural marriage. Attended the Kirtland Temple dedication and School of the Prophets. However, he was called to repent more than once for his rebellions spirit, he had many arguments and one fight with his brother Joseph the Prophet. Failure to fulfill his callings and persistent rebellion he was eventually disfellowshipped. He was later restored to the Church, and after Hyrum Smith's death was called upon and set apart as Presiding Patriarch by Brigham Young where he issued several Patriarchal Blessings in Nauvoo. But soon he fell into apostasy and was excommunicated from the Church. He was one of several who sought the Presidency of the Church after the Prophet's death, even though it was known that he associated with apostate groups, eventually going to the Strangites and then Reorganites. He died the last living sibling of the Prophet.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Oct 6 2017, 20:20:55 UTC