and by the end of summer 1840, Smith realized he was dying. He called his family around him to administer patriarchal blessings. He blessed his wife: "Mother, do you not know that you are the mother of as great a family as ever lived upon the earth. ... They are raised up to do the Lord's work". He blessed and ordained his eldest surviving son, Hyrum to succeed to the office of Presiding Patriarch by right of lineage. Smith died in Nauvoo on September 14, 1840. Descendants Notes References ASIN B000M7VGQ8 | colspan="3" style="background: #f2f2f2; border-top: 5px solid #FABE60; border-bottom: none; border-left: none; border-right: none;" | | colspan="3" style="background: #f2f2f2; border: none;"| 1771 births 1840 deaths American Latter Day Saint missionaries Book of Mormon witnesses Burials at the Smith Family Cemetery Converts to Mormonism Counselors in the First Presidency (LDS Church) Doctrine and Covenants people History of the Latter Day Saint movement Latter Day Saint missionaries in the United States Leaders in the Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints) People from Ontario County, New York People from Palmyra, New York People from Topsfield, Massachusetts Presiding Patriarchs (LDS Church) Religious leaders from New York (state) Smith family (Latter Day Saints) Treasure hunters