Joseph Smith Biography

(Grace) #1

TWO


(1807)

From his infancy, Joseph’s experiences with his siblings
helped prepare him for his role as a true messenger.

Older Siblings


How much can be written about the experiences of a two-year-old boy?
Nevertheless, in Joseph’s case, these first foundational years of his mortal development
were crucial. The first few years of his life left an imprint on him that would support the
personality and characteristics he would later need to do what would be required of
him. Next to his parents, Joseph’s siblings would provide the greatest influence in his
upbringing and preparation to fulfill his role.


Alvin Smith


A nine-year-old at this time, Alvin doted on his youngest brother. As the filial bond
between them began to develop, this strong brotherly connection was exactly what was
needed so that the young Joseph could later be influenced by his older brother’s example and
mentoring during his puberty. Alvin was not yet old enough to wander far away from his
home and parents, so he tended to Joseph whenever he could to help relieve his mother of the
pressures of rearing Hyrum, age seven, and Sophie, age four. Of all Joseph’s siblings, Alvin
had the most vital effect on his mortal foundationalization and preparation for his role.^1


Hyrum Smith


Hyrum was a boy of completely different demeanor than either Alvin or Joseph.
Hyrum was very serene and well mannered, but had what would be described today as a
learning disability. Not only was he dyslexic (as known by modern-day terms), but he was
also extremely shy, almost to the point of being agoraphobic (becoming anxious in public
situations of unfamiliarity). If the affects of autism were known during that time, an expert
on child behavior might have erroneously diagnosed Hyrum with this personality disorder.
The family moved to Lebanon, New Hampshire in 1811.^2 While Alvin (age 13) and
Sophronia (age 8) went to the local public school, Hyrum (age 11) was sent to a special
school called Moor’s Charity School, sponsored by Dartmouth College, to receive the help
that his parents could not give him at home.^3 Although Joseph Sr. moonlighted as a
schoolteacher during the winter and was well capable of teaching his children, Hyrum’s
learning disability kept the other children behind in their after-school studies. Regardless of
this distraction, Sophronia could read when she was four years old while Hyrum had a
difficult time reading even as late as eleven. Nevertheless, Hyrum would eventually grow
up and almost conquer his fear of social situations. Some symptoms, however, would haunt
him for the rest of his life.

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