Tag Archives: Jerusha Barden Smith

Jerusha: Hyrum’s First Love

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Jerusha: Hyrum's First Love

by Don Lee

My story has never been told. I am Jerusha Barden Smith, wife of Hyrum Smith, and this is my story – at last.”

Step back in time and experience the amazing events of the Restoration which changed the course of history. See the stirring drama unfold through the eyes of a young woman who was the first person outside of the immediate Smith family to accept the concept that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he was in the process of restoring Christ’s Church to the earth. That wondrous decision did not come without pain, heartache, and trial. It was during the fall of 1826 that she made the difficult, yet joyful, choice to marry Joseph’s tall, kind, handsome brother, Hyrum. This is the story of her life and her participation in the Restoration up to the moment of her untimely death. Her example of perseverance, courage, and faithfulness is worthy of our admiration and our gratitude.

Purchase the book on Amazon.com

Jerusha Barden Smith Obituary

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(Kirtland, Ohio ; Far West, Mo.) (1837)
Subject: Church periodicals
Publisher: Kirtland, Ohio Far West, Mo. Thomas B. Marsh

Obituary published in the Elders Journal, October 1837 edition, Volume 1, No. 1, Kirtland Ohio, p 16.

OBITUARY
Died, in this place on the 13th Inst, after an illness of about ten days, Mrs. Jerusha T. Smith, the wife of Hyrum Smith. She has left five small children together with numerous relatives to mourn her loss, a loss which is severely felt, by all.
Our Sister was beloved and highly esteemed by every lover of truth and virtue; but she has been taken from us in an untimely, or rather an unexpected hour, as her companion was from home perhaps near one thousand miles at the time of her decease, and was deprived of the privilege of witnessing her exit from a world of sorrow and perplexity, to the paradise of God.
But, Alas! she is gone home! yes, (using her own language to one of her tender offsprings when on her dying bed,) ”Tell your father when he comes that the Lord has taken your mother home, and left you for him to take care of”
She had her senses until the last, and fell asleep, leaving this assurance behind as a reward for leaving all that was dear for the sake of a risen Savior, and enduring in faith on his name to the end, that she should have a part in the first resurrection, and come forth and inherit the mansion that is prepared for the faithful, and receive the welcome plaudit “Come ye blest of my Father inherit that kingdom prepared for you from before the foundation of the world.”

Statue of Jerusha Barden Smith

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The famous sculptor, Dee Jay Bawden has been commissioned to sculpt a likeness of Jerusha Barden Smith to be placed alongside the bust of Hyrum that is already in the home were she and Hyrum lived in Kirtland. It is anticipated that an appropriate tribute to her will be inscribed and placed with the statue.

If you are a descendant of Jerusha and Hyrum Smith, you will undoubtedly want to make a donation toward this memorial for her. A donation of $10, $25, $50 or whatever you want to make will certainly help pay for the sculpture bust. A purchase of one of the smaller busts will be counted toward the donation to the fund for the large bust.

For more information, see the LDS Artworks website.