Elizabeth Ann Whitney
| Elizabeth Ann Whitney | |
|---|---|
ca. 1870
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Second Counselor in the general presidency of the Relief Society |
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| 1866 – December 5, 1887 | |
| Called by | Eliza R. Snow |
| Predecessor | Dormant |
| Successor | Bathsheba W. Smith |
| Second Counselor in the general presidency of the Relief Society | |
| March 17, 1842 – 1844 | |
| Called by | Emma Hale Smith |
| Predecessor | Founding Member |
| Successor | Dormant |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Elizabeth Ann Smith December 26, 1800 Derby, Connecticut, United States |
| Died | February 15, 1882 (aged 81) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Resting place |
Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′37″N 111°51′29″W / 40.777°N 111.858°W |
| Spouse(s) | Newel K. Whitney |
| Parents | Gibson Smith Polly Bradley |
Elizabeth Ann Smith Whitney (December 26, 1800 – February 15, 1882) was an early Latter Day Saint leader, and wife to Newel K. Whitney, another early Latter Day Saint leader. She went by her middle name, Ann.
Elizabeth Ann Smith was born in Derby, Connecticut to Gibson Smith and Polly Bradley. She was the couple's oldest child. Her parents weren't members of any church, although they were Christian. As a child, she was taught dancing. She left her parents at about age 18 and moved to Kirtland, Ohio with her aunt Sarah Smith, who was a spinster. When she was 20 she met her future husband, Newel K. Whitney. The couple was married on October 20, 1822. They quickly accumulated wealth and status in their community. They had eleven children together and adopted several homeless children.
In Kirtland, Ann and her husband joined the Disciples of Christ, called the Campbellites at the time, led in the area by Sidney Rigdon. This group denied it had power to give the gift of the Holy Spirit. This, along with vague answers to Whitney's questions, caused her and her husband couple to pray for direction. In response to that prayer, the couple claimed to have seen a vision and a voice stating, "Prepare to receive the word of the Lord, for it is coming!"
Sidney Rigdon converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which had been established by Joseph Smith in April 1830. In 1830, Whitney heard of his conversion and of the missionaries who were in the area. She went home after hearing them speak to share with her husband that she felt it was the right church. She and her husband chose to be baptized in November 1830.
Joseph and Emma Smith arrived at Newel K. Whitney's store in Kirtland in December 1830. Joseph said, "I am Joseph the Prophet; you have prayed me here; now what do you want of me?" Joseph then stayed in their home. While there, he received revelations that are recorded in Doctrine and Covenants.
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