Joseph was extremely patient with William and forgave him many times for his passion and verbal assaults sometimes directly and sometimes more indirectly aimed at the prophet. The fact that William held such responsibility during Joseph's lifetime, even after all he did, is further evidence of Joseph's patience, love and forgiveness. We should follow the prophets example and embrace him as Joseph would do.
FredOctober 19, 2015
As Churchill said, "History is written by the victors".
Thanks for the added insight beyond normal church publications into a complicated man and his life decisions.
Eleanor BelvilleOctober 19, 2015
This is a very interesting article and appreciate the comments made. I am 1st cousin 4th removed to the Prophet Joseph Smith and I did not know the facts about his brother William. My line is through Silas Smith who is a brother to Joseph Smith, Sr.
CBowerOctober 17, 2015
As converts to the church we discovered that my husband's grandmother descends from the Lyman Wight Colony in TX. My family history research has led me to read much about the colony from books I've found and thesis papers and other documents in the Church History Library. Some of these have included correspondence from William Smith. I'm very interested in the saints who associated with those who later became followers of Joseph Smith III since some of these ancestors of ours went to NE Iowa and were faithful tithe payers throughout their lives.
We tend to overlook the great faith, persecution, and missionary works and defending the Kingdom of God that the early members engaged in for many years before Joseph died. I know that Joseph Smith Jr. would be to first to embrace and forgive them, and I feel a strong need to make sure their families are sealed for time and all eternity, leaving it to them, not us, how they want to handle that. Many converts today are 4th and 5th generation descendants of the early dissenters. If wouldn't surprise me if they are the very ones helping us along in our family history work.
KateOctober 16, 2015
"Challenging"? Certainly. And way too close to John C. Bennett. Can we please not prettify William Smith? We can forgive him, but lets not close our eyes to the great damage he did to the Church.
Kenneth MadsenOctober 16, 2015
The family of Joseph Smith Sr. as a witness to the controversial, and the miraculous, is a testament of personal belief; albeit, by the imperfect. They ought to be forgiven by the judge in us all.
KentOctober 15, 2015
He collaborated with Benjamin Winchester to push the idea that the Book of Mormon took place in Central America, over the protestations of Joseph Smith, who always claimed it took place right in the areas where the Saints were located - New York, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri. This was probably his greatest legacy in the church - a misplaced idea of where it all happened. See the book "The Lost City of Zarahemla" by Jonathan Neville. Thanks for doing this research and filling in the blanks on his life. No one is as one-dimensional as lazy historians would make him.
Sue Dette ReedOctober 15, 2015
I enjoyed your article. I am sure you have read the experience that Elder BH Roberts and his companion had while serving in the Midwest. A highlight was meeting with William At Elkadar, Iowa. This was informative, found in the book, Defender of the Faith By Truman Madsen, pages 120-123, and interesting footnotes. BH was very impressed with William at that time.
Ana MerkurieffOctober 15, 2015
William lacked self control at times, something we can all share. His first wife died because of persecution. He worked very hard to help the cause of the Church. But, he I think he went beyond the line when he physically assaulted his own brother the prophet, Joseph Smith. The prophet forgave him with all his heart, and to the degree that he repented, he was blessed with a long life as his father had blessed him in his patriarchal blessing. I figure the Lord let him lived a longer life to give him the chance to work on his shortcomings himself; for that am sure, he was grateful as we all are to the Lord for allowing us the time to work on our blemishes of character. The Lord knew his potential and his shortcomings. It's was very good thing for mother Smith to have him by her side for all those years. But obedience to the prophet was a struggle with him and continued to be an obstacle even harder to overcome under the new prophet Brigham Young who was not as forgiving as Joseph Smith. Thank you for this article.
JeffreyOctober 15, 2015
thank you.
Yes William had his ups and downs. As we all do, and yes was quite mercurial in his relationships with his brother Joseph.
Only Father in Heaven knows his heart completely, the details of all that went on in his mind and heart. The complexities of his life and his mental perplexities, are only known by God our Father.
William I'm sure is doing a great work with his brother Joseph in the spirit world.
DebbieOctober 15, 2015
I have always been curious about William Smith's life after Joseph Smith's death. Thank you for such a good article. (I am anxious to read your book now!) It sent me on to further study of all the siblings to Joseph. I am wondering if anyone knows the middle name of William B. Smith.
KathleenOctober 15, 2015
....reason to believe he had polygamous marriage with sister of my
4thGGF.....he struggled with mental health issues (fits of passion) apparently...not just failure to follow counsel of authorized leadership
Comments | Return to Story
MikeOctober 19, 2015
Joseph was extremely patient with William and forgave him many times for his passion and verbal assaults sometimes directly and sometimes more indirectly aimed at the prophet. The fact that William held such responsibility during Joseph's lifetime, even after all he did, is further evidence of Joseph's patience, love and forgiveness. We should follow the prophets example and embrace him as Joseph would do.
FredOctober 19, 2015
As Churchill said, "History is written by the victors". Thanks for the added insight beyond normal church publications into a complicated man and his life decisions.
Eleanor BelvilleOctober 19, 2015
This is a very interesting article and appreciate the comments made. I am 1st cousin 4th removed to the Prophet Joseph Smith and I did not know the facts about his brother William. My line is through Silas Smith who is a brother to Joseph Smith, Sr.
CBowerOctober 17, 2015
As converts to the church we discovered that my husband's grandmother descends from the Lyman Wight Colony in TX. My family history research has led me to read much about the colony from books I've found and thesis papers and other documents in the Church History Library. Some of these have included correspondence from William Smith. I'm very interested in the saints who associated with those who later became followers of Joseph Smith III since some of these ancestors of ours went to NE Iowa and were faithful tithe payers throughout their lives. We tend to overlook the great faith, persecution, and missionary works and defending the Kingdom of God that the early members engaged in for many years before Joseph died. I know that Joseph Smith Jr. would be to first to embrace and forgive them, and I feel a strong need to make sure their families are sealed for time and all eternity, leaving it to them, not us, how they want to handle that. Many converts today are 4th and 5th generation descendants of the early dissenters. If wouldn't surprise me if they are the very ones helping us along in our family history work.
KateOctober 16, 2015
"Challenging"? Certainly. And way too close to John C. Bennett. Can we please not prettify William Smith? We can forgive him, but lets not close our eyes to the great damage he did to the Church.
Kenneth MadsenOctober 16, 2015
The family of Joseph Smith Sr. as a witness to the controversial, and the miraculous, is a testament of personal belief; albeit, by the imperfect. They ought to be forgiven by the judge in us all.
KentOctober 15, 2015
He collaborated with Benjamin Winchester to push the idea that the Book of Mormon took place in Central America, over the protestations of Joseph Smith, who always claimed it took place right in the areas where the Saints were located - New York, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri. This was probably his greatest legacy in the church - a misplaced idea of where it all happened. See the book "The Lost City of Zarahemla" by Jonathan Neville. Thanks for doing this research and filling in the blanks on his life. No one is as one-dimensional as lazy historians would make him.
Sue Dette ReedOctober 15, 2015
I enjoyed your article. I am sure you have read the experience that Elder BH Roberts and his companion had while serving in the Midwest. A highlight was meeting with William At Elkadar, Iowa. This was informative, found in the book, Defender of the Faith By Truman Madsen, pages 120-123, and interesting footnotes. BH was very impressed with William at that time.
Ana MerkurieffOctober 15, 2015
William lacked self control at times, something we can all share. His first wife died because of persecution. He worked very hard to help the cause of the Church. But, he I think he went beyond the line when he physically assaulted his own brother the prophet, Joseph Smith. The prophet forgave him with all his heart, and to the degree that he repented, he was blessed with a long life as his father had blessed him in his patriarchal blessing. I figure the Lord let him lived a longer life to give him the chance to work on his shortcomings himself; for that am sure, he was grateful as we all are to the Lord for allowing us the time to work on our blemishes of character. The Lord knew his potential and his shortcomings. It's was very good thing for mother Smith to have him by her side for all those years. But obedience to the prophet was a struggle with him and continued to be an obstacle even harder to overcome under the new prophet Brigham Young who was not as forgiving as Joseph Smith. Thank you for this article.
JeffreyOctober 15, 2015
thank you. Yes William had his ups and downs. As we all do, and yes was quite mercurial in his relationships with his brother Joseph. Only Father in Heaven knows his heart completely, the details of all that went on in his mind and heart. The complexities of his life and his mental perplexities, are only known by God our Father. William I'm sure is doing a great work with his brother Joseph in the spirit world.
DebbieOctober 15, 2015
I have always been curious about William Smith's life after Joseph Smith's death. Thank you for such a good article. (I am anxious to read your book now!) It sent me on to further study of all the siblings to Joseph. I am wondering if anyone knows the middle name of William B. Smith.
KathleenOctober 15, 2015
....reason to believe he had polygamous marriage with sister of my 4thGGF.....he struggled with mental health issues (fits of passion) apparently...not just failure to follow counsel of authorized leadership
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