Statue Honors Samuel

First missionary of the Restoration

The Samuel H. Smith family unveiled a statue of Samuel H. Smith on June 13, 2005, the 175th anniversary of his leaving on his first mission.

Over 200 descendants from 7 generations, and from each family line, gathered at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake to remember Samuel as “a common man, who did great things,” a man who was “faithful, honest, patient, devoted, and steadfast.” He was a “healer,” and “testifier,” with an “unwavering love of Jesus Christ and his church.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, (members of the LDS Twelve Apostles), were given small statues and plaques in appreciation for their support. Elder Ballard invited the children to help him unveil the statue. On September 11th, 2005, the statue was placed at the LDS Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.