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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