George Albert Smith (June 26, 1817–September 1, 1875) (commonly known as George A. Smith to distinguish him from his grandson) was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and as a member of the church's First Presidency.

Smith was born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, New York, the son of John Smith, and the nephew of Joseph Smith, Sr. George A. Smith was baptized into the church at the age of fifteen, in September 1832. The following year, John Smith and his family moved to Kirtland, Ohio, the headquarters of the Church. There George A. met his cousin, the Latter Day Saint prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., for the first time. In 1838, he moved with his parents and a large body of church members to the state of Missouri.

Church Service

In the spring of 1834, the sixteen year old George A. Smith accompanied a group of church members on a 2000 mile march to Missouri and back to Ohio. This trip, known as Zion's Camp was intended to bring aid to suffering members of the church in Missouri. He served as a missionary to the

Smith, at the age of 21, was ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on April 26, 1839 along with Wilford Woodruff. The two men replaced former apostles, Thomas B. Marsh, who had apostacized, and Orson Hyde who had been disfellowshipped and removed from his position.

After relocating to Utah, Smith served as a member of Utah's territorial legislature. Smith was later called to replace Heber C. Kimball as First Counselor in the First Presidency under President Brigham Young in 1868. He served in that position until his death on September 1, 1875. He was interred at the Salt Lake City Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Utah.

His son John Henry Smith, also served as an apostle and member of the first presidency. His grandson, George Albert Smith, also became an apostle and later served as president of the church.

See also: Bathsheba W. Smith

Reference

• Nibley, Preston. "The Presidents of the Church." Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1974. ISBN 0-87747-414-1.