Lucy Mack Smith

Lucy Mack Smith was a central figure in the early history of the Latter Day Saint movement.

As the mother of the movement's founder, Joseph Smith, she played a vital role in its development. She was a significant religious leader throughout her son's life. Lucy is also remembered for her detailed memoir. This work is titled "Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and His Progenitors for Many Generations." Her writing provided a primary account of her family's religious journey. She viewed the growth of the church as a shared family enterprise.

Lucy was born on July 8, 1775, in Gilsum, New Hampshire. Her upbringing occurred during a period of massive social and economic shifts in America. The American Revolutionary War had changed how families functioned. As the market economy grew, more labor moved away from the home. This shift increased the domestic responsibilities of women. In rural New England, the family became the primary center for culture and identity. Lucy's own family was deeply influenced by religious fervor. Her siblings included a Reverend and sisters who experienced religious visions. These experiences were common in the era of folk magic and evangelical revivals.

In January 1796, Lucy married Joseph Smith Sr. The couple shared interests in folk religion, but they held different views on salvation. Joseph Sr. was a Universalist who often avoided organized religious sects. Lucy became a Presbyterian and felt a heavy duty to guide her children. During her marriage, she faced a life-threatening bout of consumption. While ill, she prayed intensely for spiritual guidance. She reported receiving a supernatural reassurance from God during this crisis. This event deepened her personal piety and her desire to find the "true church."

Lucy's religious life was shaped by the unique atmosphere of the early 19th century. This era saw a breakdown of old religious structures and a rise in diversity. The First Amendment allowed for many new religious experiments. Faith often became an entrepreneurial venture involving the purchase of Bibles and religious tracts. In New England, women were often the driving force behind religious growth. During the Second Great Awakening, female converts outnumbered men by a ratio of three to two. Lucy embodied this trend by urging her family toward religious commitment. She even had a dream that her husband would receive the "pure and undefiled Gospel."

In 1827, her son Joseph obtained the golden plates. This discovery led to the founding of the Church of Christ in 1830. Lucy stopped attending Presbyterian meetings to support this new movement. She viewed the restoration of the original Christian church as the fulfillment of her prayers. As the movement grew, Lucy took on many leadership roles. In Kirtland, Ohio, she opened her home to new immigrants. She often slept on the floor to accommodate them. She also acted as a mother figure to many new converts. She was known to defend her faith, even against established ministers.

Family connections remained central to the church's structure. When Joseph Smith Sr. was named the first patriarch in 1833, the movement emphasized family roles. Joseph described his father as a leader over his posterity. Lucy often accompanied her husband to blessing meetings. In some instances, she added her own blessings to those already received. However, her role changed as the family faced extreme hardships. In Nauvoo, Illinois, she became more isolated while caring for her dying husband. Before he died, he reaffirmed her status as the mother of a great family.

Lucy experienced profound personal tragedy through the deaths of her children. Her eldest son, Alvin, died in November 1823. In June 1844, her sons Joseph and Hyrum were killed in Carthage, Illinois. Shortly after, her son Samuel also passed away. These losses left her feeling desolate.

Following these deaths, the church entered a succession crisis. Leaders debated who should succeed Joseph and Hyrum. While Lucy initially supported James Strang, most members followed Brigham Young. Despite these many trials, Lucy's influence on the foundation of the faith remained significant.