John Smith (nephew of Joseph Smith)
John Smith, was the fifth Presiding Patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His father was Hyrum Smith, the older brother of Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Having served for 56 years, he was the longest serving Presiding Patriarch in the history of the LDS Church. Smith traveled west to Winter Quarters and then Salt Lake City with the Mormon pioneers. He traveled with Heber C. Kimball's party and his step-mother Mary Fielding Smith. Smith joined the "Battalion of Life Guards" to protect the Latter-day Saints from Native Americans.
John Smith (nephew of Joseph Smith)
John Smith's grave marker
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the Presiding Patriarch is a church-wide leadership office within the priesthood. Among the duties of the Presiding Patriarch are to preside in council meetings, ordain other patriarchs, and administer patriarchal blessings.
Image: Joseph Smith, Sr
Image: Alexander Hale Smith
Image: Joseph R. Lambert
Image: Frederick A. Smith