A Dictionary of Christian Biography, Literature, Sects and Doctrines T to Z V8

William Smith was a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was a younger brother to the Prophet Joseph Smith, as well as an apostle, patriarch, and self proclaimed President of the church. Though in Joseph's life, he and William didn't always get along, William fiercely defended Joseph after his death. William Smith denounced Brigham Young as the leader of the church, also known as the Mormons. William's account of the first vision differs greatly from Joseph Smith's 1838 canonized version.