When I was 15 years of age and called to go to a foreign country to preach the gospel … the strongest anchor that was fixed in my life and that helped to hold my ambition and my desire steady … was that love which I knew she had for me, who bore me into the world.

There was no sacrifice of self-of her own time, of her leisure, or pleasure, or opportunities for rest-that was considered for a moment, when it came in comparison with her duty and her love to her children. She would toil and labor and sacrifice herself day and night for the temporal comforts and blessings that she could meagerly give, through the results of her own labors, to her children. She loved her children with all her soul. … It was life to me it was strength it was encouragement it was love that begot love or likeness in myself. … I am at a loss to know how it would be possible for anyone to love her children more truly than did my mother. I learned in my childhood, as most children probably have learned, … that no love in all the world can equal the love of a true mother. He was only 5 years old when his father was martyred, and his mother died 8 years later when he was not quite 14 years old. President Smith’s feelings on this topic are better understood in the context of his personal history. Smith delivered a stirring sermon on “Family Government.” The following is an excerpt from that address.

This practice was started after a large meeting of parents in the stake tabernacle. In 1910 the Granite Stake set aside every Tuesday evening for a “Home Evening.” Every family was asked to be at home, and the parents were to teach their children the gospel, sing songs with them, read scriptures, play games, enjoy refreshments, and take counsel together. He was set apart as Church President on 17 October 1901 and served in that capacity for just over 17 years. Smith, sixth Church President, was born on 13 November 1838 at Far West, Missouri, to Mary Fielding and Hyrum Smith.

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