Alvin Smith

Alvin Smith was the first son of the Patriarch Joseph Smith Sr and Matriarch Lucy Smith. According to available records, he was a worthy and righteous son. 

Because he was the oldest righteous son, he would qualify to be the next Patriarch, according to the Holy Order.

Unfortunately, he passed away before this Order could be established. On the bright side, I believe that was for a wise reason.

Interestingly, when Joseph beheld the vision of those in the Celestial Kingdom, he beheld his brother Alvin. How?

Here’s the vision:

“The heavens were opened upon us and I beheld the celestial kingdom of God, and the glory thereof, whether in the body or out I cannot tell,— I saw the transcendant beauty of the gate , through which the heirs of that kingdom will enter, which was like unto circling flames of fire, also the blasing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son,— I saw the beautiful streets of that kingdom, which had the appearance of being paved with gold— I saw father Adam, and Abraham and Michael and my father and mother, my brother Alvin that has long since slept, and marvled how it was that he had obtained an inheritance in that kingdom, seeing that he had departed this life, before the Lord had set his hand to gather Israel the second time and had not been baptized for the remission of sins—Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me saying all who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it, if they had been permited to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God— also all that shall die henseforth, without a knowledge of it, who would have received it, with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom, for I the Lord will judge all men according to their works according to the desires of their hearts— and I also beheld that all children who die before they arive to the years of accountability, are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.” 

Notice the kingdom and the type of people in that kingdom being described: the kingdom where the Father, Jesus, Adam, Abraham, Joseph Smith Sr, and Lucy Smith are. What kind of people are they? Patriarchs and Matriarchs. 

So why did he see Alvin there if he did not live to be a Patriarch? Because, as the oldest righteous son, he would have received “this gospel” and “that kingdom” according to the Holy Order had he “been permitted to tarry in the flesh.”

Joseph saw Alvin in the kingdom of Patriarchs because he was one. 


More on the Holy Order can be read here.

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