Joseph Smith, Sr.

Joseph Smith Sr. (July 12, 1771 – September 14, 1840) was the father of Joseph Smith Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Joseph Sr. was also one of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, which Mormons believe was translated by Smith Jr. from golden plates. In 1833, Smith Sr. was named the first patriarch of the Church of Christ (which was renamed to the Church of the Latter Day Saints in 1834 and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1838). Joseph Sr. was also a member of the First Presidency of the church.
He was one of the first recipients of the controversial Second Anointing ritual in 1833. During the ceremony, he gave his son Joseph Smith Jr. a blessing indicating Smith Jr. would, “continue in his Priests office until Christ come.”