William Smith (Latter Day Saints)

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William Smith

William Smith (also found as William B. Smith) (1811–1893) born in Royalton, Vermont, was a leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and an original member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. William Smith was the 8th child of Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith, and a younger brother of the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Mormon prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr. During his childhood, the Smith family suffered considerable financial problems and moved several times in the New England area.

William was still living in the home of his parents (Joseph Smith Sr. & Lucky Mack Smith) when, the Prophet Joseph, (Joseph Smith Jr.- his brother), was permitted to bring the Gold Plates home and commence translation of the Book of Mormon. William was not privileged to view them but was allowed to feel them, open them and lift the soft case (much alike a pillow case) in which they were kept. He was baptized June 9, 1830 by David Whitmer, one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.

Smith served a term in the Illinois State Legislature in 1842.

The relationship between William and Joseph was, at times, quite rocky. William tended to be physically abusive toward his brother Joseph, and it has been said that at the time Joseph died, he was still suffering the effects of a beating he had received from William some time earlier.^{[citation needed]}

Smith was excommunicated from the LDS Church in 1845 for apostasy following the death of his brother Joseph, who was martyred in 1844. He was involved with various apostate groups following his excommunication, such as the Strangites and the Reorganites.

Smith was later influential in founding the RLDS church, now Community of Christ with his brother's son, Joseph Smith, III as President.

William died November 13, 1893, at Osierdock, Clayton County, Iowa, as the last surviving brother of the Prophet of the LDS Church Joseph Smith Jr.

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Preceded by Luke S. Johnson	Quorum of the Twelve Apostles February 15, 1835–May 4, 1839	Succeeded by Orson Pratt
Preceded by Orson Hyde	Quorum of the Twelve Apostles October 6, 1839–October 1845	Succeeded by Willard Richards