Smoot, Reed, 1862-1941

Businessman, Mormon religious leader, and U.S. senator from Utah.

From the description of Reed Smoot papers, 1896-1928. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70982158

Apostle in the Mormon Church and United States Senator from Utah.

From the description of Reed Smoot letters, 1903-1904. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122645519

From the guide to the Reed Smoot letters, 1903-1904, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

Reed Smoot was a United States Senator from Utah from 1903-1933. He was the first Mormon to serve in the U.S. Senate and is best known for his support of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act in 1930. He was also an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1900 until his death. He was born in 1862 in Salt Lake City and died in 1941.

From the description of Reed Smoot certificates and photograph, 1909-1911. (Brigham Young University). WorldCat record id: 123235273

United States Senator (R-Utah), 1903-1933, and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Latter-Day Saint Church.

From the description of Papers, 1930, 1932. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122608543

Reed Smoot (1862-1941) was a Republican senator from Utah (1903-1933) and one of the twelve apostles of the Mormon Church (1900-1941).

From the description of Reed Smoot papers, 1880-1966. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145435454

LDS apostle, U.S. Senator from Utah, 1902-1932.

From the description of Collection. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122639223

Republican senator from Utah (1903-1933) and one of the twelve apostles of the Mormon Church (1900-1941).

From the description of Papers, 1880-1966. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122494980

Reed Smoot (1862-1941) was a Mormon politician and ecclesiastical leader. He served as United States Senator from Utah between 1902 and 1933, and as an apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1900 and 1941.

From the description of Reed Smoot photographs, circa 1880s-1940s. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 368065991

Reed Smoot (1862-1941) was one of Utah's longest serving senators, filling five terms over thirty years from 1903 to 1933. Smoot was born in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory and later moved with his family to Provo. He attended several schools including the University of Deseret (now University of Utah) and finally graduated from Brigham Young Academy (now Brigham Young University). He was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and was called as an apostle in 1900. To the surprise of many, the Utah State Legislature elected Smoot as a United States Senator (Republican party) in 1902. While preparing to take his seat in 1903, several people raised objections to Smoot serving as an apostle and senator at the same time. A bitter four-year battle began with members of the LDS Church being asked to testify before Congressional committees and anti-LDS articles being circulated nationwide. President Theodore Roosevelt, a friend of the LDS Church, tried to influence Congress in allowing Smoot to take his seat. After the Senate was satisfied that Smoot was not a polygamist and that the LDS Church had actually ended the practice, Smoot was allowed to sit in the Senate in 1907. He was reelected in 1908, 1914, 1920, and 1926. In 1930, Smoot helped sponsor the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act which many believe helped push the United States deeper into the Great Depression. In the very next election in 1932, Smoot was unsuccessful and returned to Salt Lake City, continuing on as an apostle in the LDS Church. He died in 1941 while visiting Florida.

From the guide to the Reed Smoot papers, 1909-1986, (J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah)

Reed Smoot (1862-1941) was a Republican senator from Utah (1903-1933) and an apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1900-1941).

Reed Owen Smoot was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 10, 1862 to former mayor of Salt Lake City, Abraham O. Smoot and Anne Kristina (Morrison) Smoot. Reed Smoot attended public schools and the University of Utah, and graduated from Brigham Young Academy in Provo, Utah in 1879. After graduation, he served as a Mormon missionary in England. He married Alpha M. Eldredge of Salt Lake City on September 17, 1884. They were the parents of seven children.

On April 8, 1900, Smoot was ordained as an apostle of the LDS Church and became a member of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. After becoming an apostle in 1900, Smoot received the approval of church president Joseph F. Smith to run for office in 1902. He was elected the same year to the United States Senate (58th Congress) as a Republican Senator, representing the state of Utah. His election sparked a bitter four-year battle in the Senate on whether Smoot was eligible or should be allowed to serve, due to his position as a Mormon apostle. As a result, the Senate began an investigation into Smoot's eligibility.[2] The Smoot Hearings began on January 16, 1904. On February 20, 1907 the Senate defeated the proposal and Smoot was allowed to serve in the Senate. Smoot was reelected in 1908. The Senate bill creating the National Park Service was sponsored by Reed Smoot. Additionally, Smoot was Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee from 1923 to 1933 and served on the Senate Appropriations Committee. He served as a delegate to the Republican national convention in 1908, 1912, 1916, 1920, and 1924. He was Chairman of the 1928 Resolutions Committee at the 1928 Republican National Convention and chairman of the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee. Smoot was a co-sponsor of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff in 1930. Smoot continued to serve in the Senate until March 1933.

After his retirement, Smoot moved back to Salt Lake City. He died on February 9, 1941 and is buried in Provo, Utah.

From the guide to the Reed Smoot papers, 1827-1966, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

Reed Smoot (1862-1941) was a Mormon politician and ecclesiastical leader.

Reed Smoot was born on January 10, 1862. He married Alice Taylor Skeets on July 2, 1930. He served as United States Senator from Utah between 1902 and 1933, and as an apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1900 and 1941.

From the guide to the Reed Smoot correspondence with Alpha May Eldredge Smoot, 1903-1906, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)