Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Smith attended Brigham Young University and the University of Deseret (later the University of Utah). While surveying for a railroad, though, his eyesight was permanently impaired by glare from the sun. In 1896, he joined the Republican Party and campaigned for William McKinley, who became President. He was also favored by Theodore Roosevelt.
He received his apostleship in 1903, but his frequent travels caused prominent physical weakness, and it was eventually diagnosed as lupus erythematosus, which causes weakness. He was an ardent supporter of the Boy Scouts, and was very patriotic, joining various patriotic groups. He became president of the Church on May 21, 1945. When World War II ended, Smith helped send supplies to war-stricken Europe. He also helped revitalize missionary work. In that same year, he dedicated the Idaho Falls Temple. When he died at his hometown of Salt Lake City, he was one of the most prominent Mormons, being a popular example of "Christlike living", as one biography puts it.
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