When Charles W. Nibley was selected as the new Presiding Bishop of the church in 1907, he selected Smith as his second counselor. Smith was ordained a high priest and a bishop by Anthon H. Lund in December 1907. When first counselor Orrin Porter Miller died in 1918, Nibley made Smith his new first counselor.
When Charles W. Nibley became the church's new head in 1907, he chose Smith as his right-hand man. Smith was ordained a high priest and bishop by Anthon H. Lund in December 1907. Following Orrin Porter Miller's death in 1918, Nibley elevated Smith to the position of first counselor.