Nicholas G. Smith

Nicholas G. Smith
edit data
Acting Presiding Patriarch (de facto)[1]
February 4, 1932 (1932-02-04) – 1934
Called by	Heber J. Grant
End reason	Honorably released
Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
April 6, 1941 (1941-04-06) – October 27, 1945 (1945-10-27)
Called by	Heber J. Grant
Personal details
Born	Nicholas Groesbeck Smith June 20, 1881(1881-06-20) Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, United States
Died	October 27, 1945(1945-10-27) (aged 64) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Cause of death	coronary occlusion
Resting place	Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′37.92″N 111°51′28.8″W / 40.7772°N 111.858°W / 40.7772; -111.858
Spouse	Florence Gay
Children	Girard Gay John Henry Stanford Groesbeck Nicholas Groesbeck Jr.
Parents	John Henry Smith Josephine Groesbeck
Relatives	George Albert Smith {half-brother)

Nicholas Groesbeck Smith (June 20, 1881 – October 27, 1945) was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Born in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, Smith was the son of LDS Church Apostle John Henry Smith and Josephine Groesbeck. At age three he had gone to England with his parents, where his father was serving as a church mission president.^[2]

Smith was baptized by his father on his eighth birthday.^[2] From 1902 to 1905 Smith served as a LDS Church missionary in the Netherlands. During part of the time he was on his mission he was president of the Amsterdam District of the church.^[2]

Smith was married to Florence Gay and was the father of four sons: Girard Gay, John Henry, Stanford Groesbeck, and Nicholas Groesbeck Jr.

In 1913, Smith was called by Church President Joseph F. Smith to serve as president of the South African Mission of the church. He served in this capacity until 1921. He was succeeded in this position by J. Wyley Sessions.

Some LDS Church sources state that Nicholas G. Smith served as Acting Presiding Patriarch of the LDS Church between 1932 and 1934.^[1] However, Smith was never sustained to this calling in a general conference of the LDS Church. It is unknown whether he was ordained or set apart to serve in this office or calling.

On 6 April 1941, Smith was called by LDS Church President Heber J. Grant to be one of the first five Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a position which he held until his death in Salt Lake City from a coronary occlusion.^[3] He was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} Ludlow, Daniel H., ed. (1992). Encyclopedia of Mormonism. New York: Macmillan Publishing. pp. "Presiding Patriarch". ISBN 978-0-02-879602-4. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Jenson, Andrew (1936). Latter-day Saint biographical encyclopedia: A compilation of biographical sketches of prominent men and women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 4. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Andrew Jenson Memorial Association (Printed by The Deseret News Press). p. 167. 
3. ^ State of Utah Death Certificate

• Nicholas G. Smith at Find a Grave

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titles Preceded by John Smith Acting Presiding Patriarch (de facto) February 4, 1932–1934 Succeeded by Frank B. Woodbury