Mary Fielding Smith

Mary Fielding Smith Kimball (July 21, 1801 – September 21, 1852) was an early member of the Latter Day Saint movement, the second wife of Latter Day Saint leader Hyrum Smith, and the mother of Joseph F. Smith, who became president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Early life Mary Fielding was born in Honeydon (Honidon), Bedfordshire, England, on July 21, 1801. She was the sixth child of John Fielding and Rachel Ibbotson, who were active in the growing Methodist movement in the area. In 1834, Mary emigrated to join her brother, Joseph, and her sister, Mercy, in Toronto, Upper Canada.

Joining the Latter Day Saint church The three Fielding siblings were introduced to the Church of the Latter Day Saints in 1836 by their friend, John Taylor. Taylor and his wife were in the same congregation as the Fieldings, all of whom were "disenchanted Methodists". On a trip to Toronto, John Taylor came in contact with Latter Day Saint missionary Parley P. Pratt and shortly after brought Pratt to meet the Fieldings. They were baptized on May 21, 1836, in a creek near their home. Mary, Joseph, and Mercy moved to Kirtland, Ohio, the following spring to join the larger body of the church. She would eventually marry Heber C. Kimball.

Death

On September 21, 1852, Smith died in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, at the home of her second husband, Heber C. Kimball, apparently of pneumonia. She was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery. Although she was widely known and respected during her lifetime, her son, Joseph F. Smith, further enhanced her reputation after her death as he presented her as a role model of courage and faithfulness in public addresses, sermons and articles.