Eldred G. Smith Dies At 106


When Eldred G. Smith died on Thursday at the age of 106, he was the oldest known person living in the state of Utah and also the last known person to serve as the Patriarch of the Mormon Church, also known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In his capacity as patriarch and as the longest-lived Mormon general authority, he is said to have given some 18,000 to 20,000 blessings over the years to the faithful. He reportedly traveled to every continent in the course of his duties.

He was still active and giving interviews at age 105, but he was relieved of active duty and placed on the status of emeritus church patriarch in 1979. His final birthday was Jan. 9, at which time he hosted a visit from current LDS church president Thomas S. Monson.

Eldred G. Smith is a great-great-great nephew of Mormon church founder Joseph Smith, Jr.

The first prophet of the Mormon Church, who believers put on a par with Moses, Joseph Smith was allegedly shown a book made of golden plates by an angel, which revealed a previously-unknown civilization in America. Despite the fact that he only published his purported translation of the plates, and no one else ever saw the gold, his work became regarded as holy scripture by his followers.

Monson said: “Eldred Smith was my good friend. We have traveled many miles together” in the course of giving blessings, which the LDS president described as a great treasure to believers.

Although people who have lived past age 100 are frequently asked why they lived so long, it doesn’t look like anyone felt the need to ask the question of Smith. As a believing Mormon he wasn’t allowed to drink hot tea or coffee, much less alcohol. Maybe it just seemed like 106 years.

But, for the faithful, Eldred G. Smith seemed to set an example that will be greatly missed.

[Salt Lake City temple photo courtesy Scott Catron via Wikipedia Commons]

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