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HYRUM SMITH was the second son of Patriarch Joseph Smith, and elder brother of the Prophet. He was born February 9, 1800, at Tunbridge, Vermont.
The events of his early life were so closely associated with those of his father and brother that they require no repetition here.
He was baptized in Seneca Lake, New York, in June, 1829, and was one of the "eight witnesses" to the Book of Mormon.
He was married November 2,1826, to Miss Jerusha Barden, by whom he had six children,-two sons and four daughters:-
Lovina; born September 16, 1827.
Mary; " June 27, 1829.
John; " September 22,1832.
Hyrum; " April 27, 1834.
Jerusha; " January 13, 1836.
Sarah; " October 2,1837.
On October 13, 1837, while he was absent in Missouri, his wife died, leaving five small children.
On November 7,1837, at a conference held at Far West, Missouri, when Frederick G. Williams was rejected as Second Counselor to the President of the Church, Hyrum Smith was chosen to succeed him.
In the same year he was married to Miss Mary Fielding, by whom he had two children; namely:-
Joseph F.; born November 13, 1838.
Martha; born May 14, 1841.
(page 776)
He passed through the Missouri trials with unflinching courage, and was the companion of his brother Joseph and others during their imprisonment, related in this work.
In 1841 he was called by revelation to succeed his father as Presiding Patriarch of the church; and William Law was chosen to succeed him in the First Presidency.
In this same revelation it is said of him, "Blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith, for I, the Lord, loveth him, because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right before me, saith the Lord."
Though by this call he was removed from the presiding quorum of the church, he practically continued what he had ever been-the constant companion and counselor of his brother Joseph. He was devotedly attached to his brother, never leaving him for more than six months at one time during his life.
In the cruel assassination at Carthage he shared his brother's fate, and was murdered by a mob, on June 27, 1844.
WILLIAM LAW.
Of William Law, who in 1841 was chosen to succeed Hyrum Smith, we know but little, either of his early history or of his career after leaving the church. He figured prominently in church circles for a few years in Nauvoo; then was involved in difficulties, and was expelled from the church. He was one of the dissenters in 1844, whose agitations contributed to bringing about the murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.
From Nauvoo he removed to Rock Island, Illinois.
(page 777)
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