Elizabeth Ann Whitney

Elizabeth Ann Smith Whitney (December 26, 1800 – February 15, 1882) was an early Latter Day Saint leader, and wife to Newel K. Whitney, another early Latter Day Saint leader. She went by her middle name, Ann. She was the couple's oldest child. As a child, she was "carefully educated according to the customs of that early period", such as dancing and singing. When Smith was about 18 years old, She followed her unmarried aunt, Sarah Smith, westward to Kirtland, Ohio. In this venture, the two women displayed what Mark L. Staker, a faculty member of the LDS Church History Department, calls "a strong sense of self-reliance". In response to that prayer, the couple claimed to have seen a vision and a voice stating, "Prepare to receive the word of the Lord, for it is coming!" Rigdon performed their baptisms.

Joseph and Emma Smith arrived at Newel K. Whitney's store in Kirtland in December 1830. Joseph said, "I am Joseph the Prophet; you have prayed me here; now what do you want of me?" While there, Joseph received revelations that are recorded in Doctrine and Covenants,

Whitney and her husband hosted a three-day feast for the poor in January 1836. They lost some of their wealth when the Kirtland Safety Society Banking Company collapsed and people began persecuting members of the church. However, when they reached St. Louis, they were informed that Latter-day Saints were being kicked out of Missouri. They settled in Carrollton, Illinois during the winter of 1838–39. They then moved to Quincy, Illinois during the next winter. By the spring of 1840, they had reached Nauvoo, Illinois, then called Commerce. (who had been her acquaintance in Kirtland). Whitney served as the second counselor under Emma Smith. Whitney presided over many of the Relief Society's last meetings in Nauvoo, as Emma Smith was away travelling, ill, or struggling with Joseph Smith's doctrine of plural marriage. Ann and Newell Whitney consented for Joseph Smith to marry their daughter in 1842. Shortly after Joseph Smith's death in 1844, Newel took another wife. Ann wrote that she was "more favorably disposed to women as a class" since she had a sister wife.

Death Elizabeth Whitney was affectionately called "Mother Whitney" by members of the church for her service and compassion. She died in Salt Lake City in 1882 Daniel H. Wells, Lorenzo D. Young, and Joseph F. Smith spoke at Whitney's funeral and praised her for her faith and service in the church. A residence hall at Brigham Young University was named after her in 1957.

Publications Leaf from an Autobiography, p. 33, Woman's Exponent, 1 Aug, 1878 Leaf from an Autobiography, p. 41, Woman's Exponent, 15 Aug, 1878 Leaf from an Autobiography, p. 51, Woman's Exponent, 1 Sept, 1878 Leaf from an Autobiography, page 71, Woman's Exponent, 1 Oct, 1878 Leaf from an Autobiography, p. 83, Woman's Exponent, 1 Nov, 1878 Leaf from an Autobiography, p. 91, Woman's Exponent, 15 Nov, 1878 Leaf from an Autobiography, p. 105, Woman's Exponent, 15 Dec, 1878 Leaf from an Autobiography, p. 115, Woman's Exponent, 1 Jan, 1879 Leaf from an Autobiography, p. 191, Woman's Exponent, 15 Feb, 1879