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Yesterday, emeritus church patriarch Eldred G. Smith passed away at 106. As Peggy explains “Eldred G. Smith, who served for 32 years as Mormonism’s ‘presiding patriarch,’ died Thursday evening in Salt Lake City. At 106, Smith was the faith’s oldest living and longest-serving LDS general authority.”

You may recall that Joseph Smith Sr. was ordained as the first presiding patriarch. With Elderd G. Smith’s passing, the office, which he has held in emeritus since 1979, also passes into church history. For a bit of history of his tenure, check out this Dialogue article on “Patriarchal Blessings and the Routinization of Charisma.”

And read more about this remarkable “Presiding Patriarch” on the event of his 100th birthday, courtesy of J. Stapley.