Keywords

Alexander Neibaur, mormonism, jewish, church history

Abstract

Alexander Neibaur was a man of many talents. An educated man and gifted poet, he was fluent in seven languages. One account describes Neibaur as "a small, thin man, with a round ruddy face, with sharp eyes." He was also unusual inasmuch as he was Utah's first dentist and matchmaker, and the first known male Jewish convert to Mormonism; and he left the only known contemporary diary account of Joseph Smith's first vision experience. Neibaur was also a good family man, honest and loyal, and a kind friend and trusted neighbor, not only to fellow Church members but also to those who did not share his religious beliefs, especially Utah's few Jewish migrants.

Original Publication Citation

Fred E. Woods, "'Mormon & Still a Jew' Alexander Neibaur," Mormon Historical Studies, 7:1 (Spring 2006): 22-34.