Sylvester Smith (Latter Day Saints)

Sylvester Smith (October 27, 1799 – May 25, 1862) was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. Born in Tunbridge, Vermont, he joined the Church of Christ (later renamed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in 1831. He served as a missionary in the eastern states and held positions of leadership during the church's early history.

Smith was ordained an Apostle on February 15, 1835, becoming a member of the original Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He participated in the Zion's Camp expedition, a paramilitary effort to restore exiled members to their lands in Missouri.

However, Smith experienced periods of dissent and doubt within the church. He was excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 4, 1839, for apostasy and other misconduct. He later joined other factions that separated from the main body of the church after the death of Joseph Smith Jr.

Smith was a complex figure in early Latter-day Saint history, demonstrating both periods of dedicated service and significant disagreement with church leadership. His experience reflects the challenges and controversies that characterized the formative years of the movement.