The Restoration in Blount County, TN

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The Restoration in Blount County, TN

In May 1892, 29-year-old Robert Young had just buried his wife three months earlier in the frozen earth of Bear Lake, Idaho when he received a letter from President Wilford Woodruff calling him to serve as a missionary in the Southern States Mission. Read more…
We Are A Record Keeping People

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… Read more…
Without Purse or Scrip

Elder James Baron reflects on the struggles faced by early missionaries who, relying solely on the kindness of others, traveled with just their “grips” containing all their belongings. These missionaries navigated friendly and hostile areas in Blount County… Read more…
The First Smoky Mountain Elders

The gospel of Jesus Christ first began to gain momentum in Blount County, Tennessee in 1892. This also is the first year there is a complete baptismal record found in the Church History Catalog, which holds the baptismal records of the Southern… Read more…
First Organizations

The history of missionary efforts in Blount County spans from 1892, with the arrival of Elders and the establishment of various organizations like the Chilhowee Sunday School and later the first Sabbath School in 1907. Subsequent developments included the organization of the Maryville Branch in… Read more…
Smoky Mountain Elders (1891-1900)

Meet the first missionaries who presided over the initial growth of the Church in the original Smoky Mountain Ward through the turn of the century. These missionaries recorded their efforts in journals, faced great trials, and left an enduring legacy of faith for all who… Read more…
The First Smoky Mountain Saints

These are the first baptized and confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Smoky Mountain Ward and the missionaries who baptized and confirmed them. Click their names to visit their Family Search pages. They are listed in chronological order… Read more…
Smoky Mountain Elders (1901-1910)

At the turn of the century, there were 21 members in Blount County. These missionaries continued the legacy of faith as they left wives, children, and loved ones at home to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ and continue to minister to the members who… Read more…
Smoky Mountain Elders (1911-1920)

By the end of 1910 there were 45 members of The Church of Jesus Christ baptized within our ward boundaries. The Church would grow by 35 members over the next decade as a pandemic struck and the Great War began. This time was known as… Read more…
Smoky Mountain Elders (1921-1939)

Over the next 20 years, missionaries who were war veterans served in Blount County, the Great Depression devastated the world, and many Saints were called to serve in another global conflict. Yet, the Gospel of Jesus Christ continued to spread throughout the county. These are… Read more…
About The Elders’ Journals

These journals were written by the first Smoky Mountain Missionaries who served in Blount County. They have been transcribed and are available at the links above. Five journals have been identified and three have been transcribed. We hope to find more. The Church History Department… Read more…
Journal of Elder John Morley

John Isaac Morley served in the Southern States Mission from 1910 to 1912. Elder Morley kept a journal of his time in Blount County. He married in the Manti Temple in 1901. They already had four children at the time of his call to serve… Read more…
Journal of Elder LeRoy Armstrong

Leroy Armstrong served in the Southern States Mission, from 1902 to 1905, where he was appointed as East Tennessee Conference President. The first journal begins while he is already laboring in Blount County. The journal documented 19 days in the area before having to leave… Read more…
Journal of Elder Abinadi Porter

Abinadi Porter served in the Southern States Mission and Middle States Mission from 1901 to 1902. In his mission acceptance letter to Lorenzo Snow, he wrote: “My call for a mission to the Southern States is accepted.” At that time, he already had six children… Read more…
Journal of Elder James Hubbard

James Willard Hubbard served in the Southern States Mission from 1895 to 1897. In his mission acceptance letter to Wilford Woodruff, he wrote: “Dear Sir, I am in receipt of your favor, notifying me of my being chosen as a missionary to the Southern States.… Read more…
Journal of Elder William Hayes

William Hayes served in the Southern States Mission from 1893 to 1895. He married in the Manti Temple, in 1888, and his wife died shortly after their daughter was born, in 1890. He received his mission call, in 1893, and left his daughter in the… Read more…
Journal of Elder Cliff Robertson

Charles Clifford Robertson (1892-1982) served in the Southern States Mission from 1913 to 1916. In his mission acceptance letter to Joseph Fielding Smith, he wrote: “I received your letter and consider it an honor to have the privilege to serve a mission.” He was known for “his kind and… Read more…
Journal of Elder Will Dawson

William Dawson served in the Southern States Mission for 29 months from 1897 to 1899. Elder Dawson was first assigned to the South Carolina Conference and then the Georgia Conference. Shortly after walking 500 miles to Georgia on reassignment, he was transferred Read more…
Journal of Elder John Hinckley

ohn Hinckley served in the Southern States Mission from June 1895 to June 1898. He married Jesse Taggart in the Salt Lake Temple in 1906. They had six children together. He served as bishop for ten years in his ward. He held numerous public offices… Read more…
Journal of Elder Robert Young

Robert Young served in the Southern States Mission from 1892 to 1894. He was called to serve shortly after his wife passed away and he had to leave his infant son in the care of friends and family while serving. His transcribed journal provides valuable insight… Read more…
Journal of Elder James Abraham

James Abraham served in the Southern States Mission from 1908 to 1910. He saved money many years for his mission and to pay for his father’s funeral expenses by working in the fields of Utah as a farmhand. Elder Abraham briefly served in Blount County… Read more…
Journal of Elder Thomas Gibby

Thomas Gilbert Gibby served in the Southern States Mission from 1922 to 1924. He left Morgan, Utah, at the age of 20, to serve in the East Tennessee Conference. He married his wife in the Salt Lake Temple in 1930. They had at least one… Read more…
Journal of Elder Isaac Smith

Isaac Smith served in the Southern States Mission from 1897 to 1898. In his mission acceptance letter to George Reynolds, he wrote: “I deem it a great honor to have the privalege (sic), and will be pleased to spend a few years Read more…
Letters of Elder Will Fullmer

William Fullmer Jr served in the Southern States Mission from 1910 to 1911. He documented his thoughts about home and his children in weekly letters available on Family Search. Before receiving his mission call, he had already Read more…
Journal of Elder LeRoy Palmer

LeRoy Palmer served in the East Central States Mission from 1935 to 1937. He married Lucille Thomas – who also served in the East Central States Mission from 1934 to 1936 – in the Salt Lake Temple, in 1939. They raised four children together in… Read more…
The Davis Family

William Davis and Lucinda Burchfield were born in Tuckaleechee Cove, Tennessee. They married in 1880 and had at least five children, three of which were also baptized, becoming second-generation Members of The Church of Jesus Christ, as well as two of their grandchildren. William Davis… Read more…
The Harmons

There were 23 Harmon family members baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Blount County and two in Georgia* from 1895 to 1939. John Goulder Harmon was born in North Carolina, in 1840, and became a farmer like his father, William Council.… Read more…
The 2nd Garlands

There were five W. C. Garland family members baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Blount County from 1897 to 1918. William Charles Garland and Elmyra Miller are well-known figures in the history of Blount County. They were known for their tough backcountry manner… Read more…
The 1st Garlands

There were 14 A. H. Garland family members baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Blount County from 1893 to 1927. Alexander Garland emigrated from Mitchell, North Carolina like many of the first Saints in Blount County. He married Eliza Jane Nelson… Read more…
The Russells

There were five Russell family members baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Blount County from 1909 to 1921. Charles Harrison Russell was born in 1874 in Maryville, Tennessee. When Charles was 24 years old, on September 6, 1899, he received orders… Read more…
The Whiteheads

There were eight Whitehead family members baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Blount County from 1904 to 1921. David Lafayette Whitehead was born and raised in Happy Valley, Tennessee. He was the mailman, court clerk of the 3rd District, which is… Read more…
The Franklins

This photo is of James and Matilda’s son, William, and their grandchildren in Tennessee. There were two Franklin family members baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Blount County from 1897 to 1909. Timeline of Baptisms James Isaiah Franklin (1865-1921) 6… Read more…
The Smiths

This photo is of Andrew Johnson Smith’s parents, Marcus Lafayette Smith and Elizabeth Henley Nelson.There were three Smith family members baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Blount County from 1893 to 1918. Timeline of Baptisms Andrew Johnson Smith (1862-1923) 30… Read more…
The Wilcoxes

There were three Wilcox family members baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Blount County from 1918 to 1920. Georgia Edna Wilcox was the first of the three siblings to be baptized. She was baptized in 1918, at the age of 17.… Read more…
The Tiptons

There were three Tipton family members baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Blount County from 1911 to 1935. Timeline of Baptisms Dora Tipton (1890-1975) 5 May 1911: Dora Tipton was baptized and confirmed by Heber Ewer Palmer Dora Tipton was born and raised… Read more…
The Woodys

There were 15 Woody family members baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Blount County from 1892 to 1921. Timeline of Baptisms *The first Woody family members Sarah and her parents, Jonathan Woody and Samantha Naillon, likely were baptized in Cocke… Read more…
The 1st Hicks

There were two J. H. Hicks family members baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Blount County in 1893. Jordan Henry Hicks is originally from Boone, North Carolina and moved to Blount County briefly after his first baptism in April 18, 1885. Louvenia… Read more…
The 2nd Hicks

There were 2 Hicks family members baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Blount County in 1911. Rachel Tennessee Hicks and Eliza Lee Hicks are sisters whose family members were friends of the missionaries. Elder John Isaac Morley documented his meetings with the family… Read more…
Other Individuals

There were nine other individuals who were baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1902 to 1935. Carl Allen Farr Laura Walker William C. Bonham Jesse Simeon Brown Synthia Catherine Elliott **Robert Madison Charles Milus Kilburn Lila Tefeteller Susie Melissa Rouse… Read more…
Research Resources

Record of Members Collection (1836-1970) This collection of baptismal records available in the Church History Catalog provided the basis for all research. Searching through these records allowed the identification of each baptized member and their genealogy. They also mostly provided initials or partial names of… Read more…
Ward History FHE #1

Nephi emphasizes that the Lord communicates with individuals in ways they understand, as exemplified by Polly Harmon’s dream leading her to the Book of Mormon. Interviews recount Ether Harmon’s faith and forgiveness, alongside Elmyra Miller’s eventual conversion after healing, illustrating individual revelation, perseverance, and the… Read more…
Ward History FHE #2

The Harmon family faced tragedy in 1924 when General Harmon was killed, impacting the local Church community. Missionaries demonstrated weaknesses yet inspired change. Early members faced opposition, and personal sacrifices marked their service. Resilience and faith guided them, leading to friendships and notable contributions to… Read more…
Ward History FHE #3

Missionaries learn the significance of obedience, as blessings and the companionship of the Spirit depend on it. Elder Smith’s initial disobedience led to a hostile adversary. Doris Russell recalls missionaries’ influence on her family, highlighting her father’s faith and baptism. Historical accounts illustrate the mission… Read more…
Ward History FHE #4

JC Garland, baptized in 1893, significantly contributed to missionary efforts in Blount County, evidenced by many baptisms. His close friendships with missionaries like Elder Hayes enriched their experiences. The challenges faced by missionaries and their integral friendships were crucial in spreading the gospel amidst opposition… Read more…
Ward History FHE #5

From 1893 to 1927, JC Garland emerged as a pivotal figure in the Church within Blount County, mentioned over 300 times in mission journals. He was photographed with missionaries in 1896 and 1917. Other church members’ experiences also highlight their faith and dedication through various… Read more…
Ward History FHE #6

In June 1898, missionaries helped resolve tensions among Saints in Millers Cove, fostering forgiveness and unity. Elder Dawson documented emotional farewells with members. The Harmons, staunch church members, faced poverty but were kind. Samuel Harmon was pivotal in early Church growth in Blount County, inspiring… Read more…
Ward History FHE #7

Elder Soren Petersen served missions in Tennessee and Britain, delivering a Book of Mormon to King Edward VII. He worked alongside famous missionary Willard Bean and served during a significant period in Blount County. Notable baptisms, including those of Charlie and Elmyra Garland, marked the… Read more…