Lawrence Joseph Smith

Lawrence Joseph Smith ( L.J. ) our family lost our Earthbound Angel on July 19th, 2022. He was born on December 20th, 1959 to Lawrence James Smith and Edna Rae Clayton Smith. L.J. had a lot of trials in his life. Some people looked at him and saw all of the things that he couldn’t do but, that’s not what we saw, we saw who he was. L.J. could smile and light up a room, he carried with him unbridled happiness. He loved fishing, camping, and bike rides but his true joy and solace were found in collecting. L.J. was an avid collector of rocks, feathers, and other oddities that he could give away as gifts to everyone he loved. Few people walked away from LJ without a parting gift. One of his greatest passions in life was the love for learning. He was often found carrying around a National Geographic reading about history or an Encyclopedia studying about a new type of spider that he had found or other such wonders that spiked his interests. He was always reading and would get so excited to tell you about his new-found knowledge. L.J. had a profound love and sense of pride for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Being a descendant of our profit Joseph Smith, he tried his best to live up to the Smith name. Our Lord created all things bright and beautiful. He created all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful. And so, we have absolute faith that his hands made and fashioned L.J. just exactly the way he was intended to be. Through his vulnerabilities, he gave us empathy, understanding, patience, kindness, and compassion. He gave us love and we will miss him! L.J. taught us how to be happy and to take joy in the little things. You could look up to him as an example of perseverance and inner strength. Strength is found in the ones who keep going, keep trying, day after day always striving to be the best that you can be despite all limitations. That was LJ! L.J. is survived by his sisters Lawral Smith Bunker, Lynda Smith Logan, Jeannie Smith Ringwood, Bertha (Birdie) Smith Oneida-Davis, Tressie Smith Jones, and brother Samuel Smith. Proceeded in death by his parents Lawrence James Smith, Edna Rae Clayton Smith, and Sister Cathryn Smith Roberts. A celebration of life will be held at the Bluffdale Lion’s Club on September 17, 2022 14400 South 2222 West Bluffdale, Utah, 84065

Lawrence Joseph Smith

December 20, 1959 - July 19, 2022