In looking over the early history
of the United States, one cannot help but see the truthfulness of the words of
the Apostle Paul, that “the powers that be ordained of God.” I firmly believe
that through the inspiration of the Lord the first settlers of America were
moved upon to take up their journey from the old world and make their homes in
this land of freedom. (Joseph Fielding Smith, “Asahel Smith of Topsfield, With
Some Account of the Smith Family,” The Historical Collections of the
Topsfield Historical Society 8 [1902]: [Topsfield, Mass.: Topsfield
Historical Society, 1902], 87)
During the Revolution he allowed
the example of his worthy father and cast his lot on the side of the patriots,
serving in the American army during the war. After the death of his father, in
1785, Asael returned to Topsfield again to make his home on the paternal
estate. He lived in the old home about one mile north of the town, where a
number of his children were born, notably, Joseph, father of the “Mormon”
Prophet. It is doubtful if Asael would have again left the place had he not
aroused the prejudices of his neighbors. He was a man of very liberal views
with thoughts in advance of his time. He was noted for having opinions of his
own which he would not yield to bigotry nor opposition. Some of his children
were baptized in the Congregational church at Topsfield; but in his own
religious views he was somewhat of a Universalist, and held to the truths that
in America, all men should have free and equal liberty. It is common reported
in the family that he brought the ill-will of his neighbors upon his head
because of his too liberal religious views. It is well known that he was open
and explicit and always expressed his honest opinions whether they were in
accord with prevailing views or not. (Ibid., 89-90)
