John Smith

Who was John Smith?

John Smith, known as Uncle John, was an early leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Smith was the younger brother of Joseph Smith, Sr., uncle of Joseph Smith, Jr. and Hyrum Smith, father of George A. Smith, grandfather of John Henry Smith, and great-grandfather of George Albert Smith. He served as an assistant counselor in the First Presidency under Joseph Smith, Jr. and as Presiding Patriarch under Brigham Young. He was succeeded as Presiding Patriarch by his great nephew, who was also named John Smith.

Smith served as president of the stake in Lee County, Iowa during the Nauvoo period. He was also the first president of the Salt Lake Stake, the first stake in Utah Territory, and as such was the leader of the Latter-day Saints in Utah in the winter of 1847–48.

Smith practiced plural marriage and fathered four children.