Deathbed Blessings
Smith moved with his family to Far West, Missouri in 1838 and from there to the church's new headquarters at Nauvoo, Illinois in 1839. Old age and illnesses had taken their toll and by the end of summer 1840, Smith realized he was dying. He called his family around him to administer patriarchal blessings.
He blessed his wife: "Mother, do you not know that you are the mother of as great a family as ever lived upon the earth. . . . They are raised up to do the Lord's work". He blessed and ordained his eldest surviving son, Hyrum to succeed to the office of Presiding Patriarch by right of lineage.
Joseph Smith, Sr. died on September 14, 1840.
Read more about this topic: Joseph Smith, Sr.
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