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genaut9 (Church Patriarchs ** )

Church Patriarchs


   “The ordination of Joseph Smith, Sr. to the office of Patriarch in 1833 marked the restoration of the calling of ‘evangelical ministers’ again on earth, an order of priesthood which ‘was confirmed to be handed down from father to son’, one which ‘rightly belongs to the literal descendants of the chosen seed, to whom the promises were made.’  As one of the General Authorities, the Church Patriarch stood next in order to the members of the Council of the Twelve.” — Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 560.  Elder Eldred G. Smith was the last ordained general Church patriarch.


   Church Patriarch        Called as Patriarch   Released as Patriarch   Length of service     Other offices held

1. Joseph Smith, Sr.          18 Dec 1833            14 Sep 1840        06 years 09 months     First Presidency
2. Hyrum Smith                24 Jan 1841            27 Jun 1844        03 years 05 months   Assistant President
3. William B Smith            24 May 1845            06 Oct 1845        00 years 04 months        Apostle
4. John Smith                 01 Jan 1849            23 May 1854        05 years 05 months          --
5. John Smith                 18 Feb 1855            05 Nov 1911        56 years 09 months          --
6. Hyrum G Smith              09 May 1912            04 Feb 1932        19 years 09 months          --
7. Joseph Fielding Smith      08 Oct 1942            06 Oct 1946        04 years 00 months          --
8. Eldred G Smith             10 Apr 1947            06 Oct 1979        32 years 06 months        Seventy

 

Interesting notes:
1) John Smith served the longest as Church Patriarch, serving almost 57 years.
2) Joseph Fielding Smith is the son of Hyrum Mack Smith, not be confused with Joseph Fielding Smith, the 10th president of the Church.
3) From 1932 to 1937, no Church Patriarch was sustained.
4) George F. Richards served as Acting Patriarch from 08 Oct 1937 to 03 Oct 1942.
5) No patriarch to the Church has been sustained since October 6, 1979.


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