Reed Smoot

Reed Smoot (January 10, 1862 – February 9, 1941) was a republican senator from 1903–1933. He was also a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and a businessman.^[1]

As a senator he is known for the 1930 Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act.

Smoot was an important leader of the LDS Church. He was chosen to serve as an apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1900. Smoot's role in the LDS Church led to a controversy in the United States Senate. There were also rumors of polygamy and a secret oath against the United States^[2] A Senate committee questioned Smoot's authority in the Reed Smoot hearings. The committee suggested Smoot's removal, but the full Senate voted to keep Smoot.^[2] He lost the vote for office in 1932. Smoot returned to Utah in 1933. Smoot stopped working in politics and business and spent his time working in the church. At the time of his death, he was third in line to lead the LDS Church.^[3]

1. ↑ "Reed Owen Smoot: A Featured Biography". United States Senate. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Harvard, Heath S. "Smoot Hearings". BYU Harold B. Lee Library. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
3. ↑ Cite error: The named reference Utah History Encyclopedia, Reed Smoot was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).