The Beginnings of a Ward Family
In October 2023, the Smoky Mountain Ward was created, dividing Blount County into two wards. Half of this new ward’s boundaries are in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. This was a special event for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Blount County, Tennessee. Certainly, the name of the ward delightfully evoked the boundary that extends from Maryville to the Appalachian Trail in the national park, but there was another to-be-discovered reason for the new name. Though there currently are not any residents or members of the Church of Jesus Christ living in the national park, this was not always the case. Like most wards, some members originate from this area and others have migrated their records. Nevertheless, this new ward name stirs a desire to come to a knowledge of our Smoky Mountain ancestors and how they discovered the gospel of Jesus Christ “out of obscurity and out of darkness” in these smoky mountains, even within the borders of the national park prior to its formation (D&C 1:30). These first Saints and their missionaries are who we honor with the name of this ward.
This desire to know the Smoky Mountain Saints began a research endeavor that would uncover amazing personal stories of missionaries and members alike. We would learn that the first baptism within our ward boundaries was performed in an icy creek two days before Christmas in 1892. This faithful sister’s name is Sarah Woody. Both of her missionaries each left a wife and four young children in Utah to serve the Lord in East Tennessee. Their faith, and that of all who followed, laid the foundation of the Smoky Mountain Ward 130 years ago.
“…those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually.” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30)
Their Stories Are Our Stories
The Knoxville Stake History documents the first member families in the county: the Harmons, Russells, and Garlands. It provided some great starting points to learn about the first two, but noted there was not any information about the Garlands. Smoky Mountain Ward members Sister Marie Harmon and Sister Fernetta Long were so kind to share stories about their parents, grandparents and great grandparents – who are Harmons and joined the Church in Millers Cove, beginning in 1895. I spoke on the phone with Sister LeVa Clement about her grandparents, the Russells, who were baptized, in 1909 and 1911.
Their families’ stories are meant to be shared. Their faith and dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ was immense, particularly during a period of great opposition and limited resources. It was apparent that there was also much more to be discovered. The stake history identified only three member families in the county by 1926 and only 20 members total. Were there more?
Digging deeper through thousands of records in collections of the Church History Department, ultimately would lead to finding 93 members who were baptized before 1926, all likely within the Smoky Mountain Ward boundaries. By 1939 there were 100 baptized members. These are Saints who seemed lost to history at the time the Knoxville Stake History was written. These are families who entered cold creeks in the coves of the Smoky Mountains amid times of opposition to the Church. Their records identified that they were baptized and confirmed by 81 missionaries who sacrificed much, often leaving behind their wives, children, and incomes to serve the Lord in Tennessee. And their wives sacrificed greatly to provide for their large families while their husbands were away, yet they full-heartedly encouraged their husbands to serve missions. They truly consecrated their lives. Some of these missionaries even died prematurely due to illness and hardships they faced in Blount County.
A small number of these early Saints emigrated, but many of their descendants – unbeknownst to us – are our neighbors whose deceased family members are waiting for their temple work to be completed after it was initiated a century ago. Ultimately, I would learn on Family Search that many of these early Saints here in the ward are not-so-distant relatives of mine, of all of us. I learned on Family Search that I grew up with families of some of these early missionaries in Utah. Two of them are even close relatives. For example, Elder Charles Robertson, who baptized the Whitehead family in Happy Valley, is my first cousin twice removed. Viewing your relationship in FamilySearch to these missionaries and members by clicking on their names in the “First Smoky Mountain Saints” and their missionaries, you likely will find you are related to most if not all of them. I have come to realize that the stories of these first Saints and their missionaries are not stories about other families, they are about your families and mine.
Saints Identified in Records
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains early records in digital format of the Southern States Mission, which at the time the Knoxville Stake History was written, was only available in microfiche. I marvel that the stake history was so well-researched with such limited tools for the time. These records are now available in Family History Centers and by personal requests for various Church Collections online. I made requests and began reviewing thousands of Church records that contain baptismal data, children’s blessings, ordinations to the priesthood, and missionary ledgers. Thirteen journals have also been discovered that provided additional names not found in official Church records. I maintained a spreadsheet and documented every baptism and confirmation that occurred in Blount County, more specifically within our ward boundary. Slowly, the spreadsheet began to fill in with dates, locations, and initials of those who were baptized and confirmed. The missionaries who performed the ordinances were also identified with partial names. Thanks to their inspired dedication recording genealogical data, this process of identifying people was made possible.
By matching these partial names and initials to other Church Collections, it could be determined the full name of each missionary and find their records on Family Search. Identifying baptized members in genealogical databases was more challenging, but most could be found or created in Family Search, and additional records were added. In addition, as I went through previously unidentified missionary photos, they were added to Family Search when possible. Ronda Long and Linda Holder found names when I exhausted my abilities to locate them; they found them with spectacular ease.
This research resulted in discovering – between 1892 and 1939 – 100 members who were baptized within Blount County, Tennessee and within the 2023 Smoky Mountain Ward boundary or nearby and moved into the area shortly after they were baptized. Two additional members, however, were baptized in Georgia. They are adopted into this research as they were born in Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountain National Park, they returned to the area, and they are Harmon Family members, making for a total of 102. There were also 83 missionaries identified who baptized or confirmed these first Saints. Yet, there possibly are more members to be discovered.
A Record-Keeping People
“Behold, there shall be a record kept among you” (Doctrine and Covenants 21:1). The Lord taught Adam and Eve to “keep a book of remembrance” (Moses 6:5). Nephi and his brothers returned to Jerusalem to retrieve the plates of brass, which contained the genealogy of Lehi. This method of record keeping was passed on from generation to generation in the “language of [their] fathers” that they may know “the mysteries of God” (Mosiah 1:3-4). Enos, upon remembering “the joy of the Saints” – within these records passed from father to son – returned to the faith he once held. In this dispensation, we also have been taught that maintaining our history is “for the good of the church, and for the rising generations” (Doctrine and Covenants 69:8). As I have learned about these first members and their missionaries, I have found their stories to be a testament to God’s love for his children. It is meant to be shared with our families and is for the good of our ward.
Their Covenant Path
I have made a best effort to identify these names – both of the first Saints and their missionaries. Any error found within is my responsibility and unintentional. As an alibi, please recognize that there exist inconsistencies in numerous records. I sought to identify the most accurate data and have, therefore, left out some partial records that may be added in the future after more research. Anecdotal evidence of a record was only used when journal entries filled in gaps or provided information as a primary source which appeared more accurate than other handwritten data.
It is worth noting that a number of these early members received proxy baptisms, according to their Family Search pages, when in fact they entered a covenant at their own baptisms while living. Their families were unaware they had been baptized. This is mentioned not to identify any errors in others’ efforts or temple work specifically, but rather for their families to recognize that these members first made these covenants while they were living. There remains much to be discovered about these early Saints and any effort to do so is invited.
Their Legacy Strengthens Faith
Researching the stories of the Smoky Mountain Saints and their missionaries has been enlightening and thrilling. They strengthen my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and of His Plan of Happiness. It is apparent there also remains work to be done in the temple for some of the family members of these first Saints. The sacrifices made by and faith of these first members and their missionaries are worthy of our best efforts to attend the temple on their behalf.
“Keeping a history is a spiritual work that will strengthen the faith of those who write and read it.”
(General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 33.7.1)
Regarding Heavenly Father’s plan and our efforts for proxy ordinances, I often find myself sharing Nephi’s sentiment: “I know that He loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things” (Nephi 11:17). I do not know how choices will be made after we cross the veil and I do not know what impact our individual efforts will have on those choices; nevertheless, I know that Heavenly Father has a fabulous plan for His children that is both merciful and just. I know he loves His children. I know that we can assist in His work by attending the temple and doing the work for His children.
I admire the legacy of faith the Smoky Mountain Saints and their missionaries have left for us to follow. In comparing these first experiences to the contemporary, it is evident the Lord has gifted our generation with innumerable tools that were unavailable during previous lifetimes. Yet, faith is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Reading through so many obituaries for this project and finding what is of most value to their families, I have come to recognize that faith is passed on from generation to generation. This leads me to ponder: “What efforts are we making to leave a legacy of faith for our children and their families?”
– Mike Merrell
View the First Smoky Mountain Saints with links to their Family Search pages as well as the missionaries who baptized and confirmed the first members of the Smoky Mountain Ward between 1892 and 1939.
Smoky Mountain Ward 