David Hyrum Smith grave

(by Kenneth Mays deseretnews.com 1-20-16)

Emma Hale Smith was pregnant when her husband the Prophet Joseph Smith was killed on June 27, 1844. She bore a son on Nov. 17, who was one of four sons to live to adulthood. He was named David Hyrum Smith.

Initially, David was raised by his widowed mother. He had a stepfather beginning in December 1847, when Emma married Lewis Bidamon. David was a remarkably gifted individual. In addition to being very musical, he was also a poet and an artist. Some of his original paintings and poetry are displayed at the Joseph Smith Historic Site in Nauvoo, Illinois, a must-see for visitors. It is maintained by the Community of Christ.

David was an effective missionary and leader in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ). Beginning when he was a young adult, David experienced a serious struggle with mental illness. He married and had a daughter. After fighting his challenges valiantly, he was eventually committed to the Northern Illinois Hospital and Asylum for the Insane at Elgin, Illinois, where he remained until his passing in 1904. He was buried at Lamoni, Iowa, not far from his brother Alexander.

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http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645762/Picturing-history-David-Hyrum-Smith-grave.html