Nancy Rowlett Smoot joined the Church of Christ in 1835, and her son followed suit on March 22 of that same year. Warren Parrish baptized him, and David W. Patten performed his confirmation. As a child, Smoot had wondered "if the Lord had a church upon the earth". When he heard Parrish and Patten preach, he felt that his question had been answered. Patten, while confirming Smoot, promised that the young man would be able to overcome his health issue. Smoot recorded that he "began to grow strong immediately." Soon after his baptism, Smoot was given the responsibility of leading a small group of church members in Benton County, Tennessee. He befriended Wilford Woodruff, who began preparing him for missionary work. The two became companions on a short mission to Tennessee and Kentucky, then traveled to Kirtland, Ohio, together to attend the School of the Prophets. After arriving in November 1836, the two began learning Latin and Greek. This experience instilled the knowledge of the value of education in Smoot. While in Kirtland, Smoot met Joseph Smith and was able to see the sheets of papyrus that were said to contain the Book of Abraham. He also recorded suffering from typhoid fever and pleurisy while living in Ohio. After a blessing from Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, and Hyrum Smith, he recovered. He received his patriarchal blessing from Joseph Smith Sr. and planned to return home to Tennessee for his health. After his miraculous recovery, Joseph Smith asked Smoot to work in the southern states as a missionary.
