There is an assembly at my child's school this week at which Gary Smith will be speaking. Does anyone know anything about this man?

"Hyrum Smith’s great-grandson, Mr. Gary Smith, will be talking to us about Hyrum and his experiences as the prophet’s brother. Mr. Smith has the original artifacts from that time period, including: the clothing worn by Hyrum when he was shot at Carthage, his pocket watches, spectacles and the box the golden plates were kept in as well as many other items."

One of the prized items of the Hyrum collection of memorabilia (unless some uber-mormon has excised them from any internet reference) is Hyrum's grand collection of Occult items -- daggers w/symbols engraved, talismans of various design. Several examples of Hyrum's own handwriting and "magic" parchments etc. etc.

I think most of it got accumulated in Wood's Museum up in Bountiful (does that place still exist?). I had to make an appointment to see the collection myself (he also has all of the books owned by Joseph Smith at the time of his death -- interesting).

Joseph had his own "Jupiter Talisman" that he wore to his death, but Hyrum was even more into all things Occult than his brother was.

BUt its Utah, right?

And the box the gold plates were found in?? Uh-huh.

If so, it certainly appears to be a violation of the separation between church and state.

It is not a public school.
Yes, I'm in Utah.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/02/2011 04:22PM by emanon.

at a fireside in the southern California area. The topic was generally the same. I saw no "daggers w/symbols engraved, talismans of various design", I did see the clothes and I think the watch one of the Smiths carried. This was many years ago and I don't remember everything about it.

Gary Smith wrote with Irene M Bates a book called "Lost Legacy: The Mormon Office of Presiding Patriarch" that talks about how the office of patriarch for the church lost power and influence in the church hierarchy. I think the book is worth reading. At the time I read parts of it, I was surprised by its frankness in describing the power struggle between the office of the patriarch and the quorum of the 12.

I went to one in So CA also.
The take-away for almost everyone was his much younger trophy wife.
I didn''t really listen to his talk, but the artifacts were interesting.

> "The take-away for almost everyone was
> his much younger trophy wife."

Everyone got to take her away?!?! ... interesting, kind of a new twist on Mormon polygamy. Though I have heard of that wife swapping business in Draper wards!!! LOL

Thanks for the replies.