The Legacy of Joseph Smith Sr. and the LDS Church’s Prophetic Succession

The question of whether direct descendants of Joseph Smith Sr. have held positions as general authorities in the LDS Church is complex. Few have, and the importance of their lineage has waned over time, influenced by various factors such as leadership dynamics and the changing nature of the Church's structure.

Direct Descendants and Prophetic Succession

Joseph Smith Sr. had a son, Joseph Smith III, who later became a significant figure within the Reorganized (Community of Christ) Church. It is important to note that Joseph Smith III was not part of the prophetic line in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) following the death of Joseph Smith Jr. In both the Brighamite and Re-Organite branches, few individuals held positions as general authorities who could trace their lineage directly back to Joseph Smith Sr.

The Significance of Smith Lineage in the 19th Century

During the 19th century, Smith lineage was incredibly important within both the LDS and Reorganized branches. Both groups fiercely fought over legitimacy, with each branch claiming Joseph Smith Jr. as their foundational prophet. However, Joseph Smith Jr. left multiple sets of clear but contradictory instructions. The origins of these contradictions stem from his managerial tinkering, where he tried numerous approaches and discarded them, leading to various claimants using different interpretations to support their claims.

Brigham Young's Legacy and Oligarchical Diffusion

Brigham Young's claim of leadership passed through the Quorum of the Twelve, which was based on a combination of seniority and consensus. Only a few members of Joseph Smith Jr.'s immediate family, such as his dead brother's second wife and her children, his first cousin George Albert, and a few other relatives, left significant descendants in Utah. Most of Joseph Smith Jr.'s kin either stayed in the East, joined competing Mormon offshoots, or eventually aligned with the Reorganized movement.

20th Century Changes in Leadership Dynamics

By the latter part of the 20th century, the LDS Church experienced a shift in the importance of Smith lineage. In Utah, the oligarchical diffusion of leadership meant that true lineage did not provide an advantage for succession. Instead, seniority and longevity of those in key leadership positions played a more significant role in the hierarchy. This is evidenced by the example of Eldred G. Smith, whose hereditary position was challenged by more senior leaders.

Missouri's Smith Prophets and Their Decline

In Missouri, direct descendants of Joseph Smith Sr. continued to hold positions as prophets until the 1980s. However, these descendants were typically less interested in the office and had fewer opportunities to produce male offspring, a necessity for leadership roles in the Church. By the late 20th century, Missouri's Smith-prophets began to voluntarily step down in favor of non-Smith successors.

Modern LDS Church Leadership

Today, the importance of Joseph Smith Sr.'s lineage is minimal within the LDS Church. The focus shifted to the youngest appointed apostle, who will eventually become the prophet. This change is exemplified by Elder Bednar, who is currently 66 years old and the 7th in line for the presidency. His family's connection to early pioneer families is insignificant, and his advancement is due to the aging of previous leaders more than lineage.

The modern LDS Church has now moved beyond the era where Smith lineage was a primary determinant of leadership. As the Church continues to evolve, the emphasis on genealogy for Church positions has become less significant, making true lineage an obstacle rather than an asset for high-ranking positions.