“We were able to settle ourselves upon our own land in a snug, comfortable, though humble habitation, built and neatly furnished by our own industry.” — Lucy Mack Smith1
Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith had 11 children, though only nine survived into adulthood (Alvin, Hyrum, Sophronia, Joseph Jr., Samuel, William, Don Carlos, Katharine, and Lucy).2 Of the children, Hyrum received the most formal education of the family, and at age 11, he went to Moor's Indian Charity School in Hanover, Vermont.3
The Smith family experienced significant financial difficulties. They owned a farm and started various business ventures (including the ginseng trading business), but the crops and the businesses ultimately failed. After the third year of crop failures in a row,4 Joseph Sr. moved the family to Palmyra, New York, to rebuild their lives.5 There, the Smiths rented a small house there and saved for a down payment on land for a farm.5
The family members' religious beliefs varied: Joseph Sr. favored Universalism6 but did not attend any churches in Palmyra and felt "attending no church at all was preferable to the wrong one."7 On the other hand, Lucy and several of the children leaned toward Presbyterianism and attended church meetings.8 Joseph Jr. said he "became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect."9 At home, the Smiths emphasized family prayer and scripture study, which gave them guidance and comfort during challenging times.7
