Extremely little is known of Michael Griffith. No biography
has been located and we do even find an identifiable Michael Griffith among
the ten Michael Griffiths shown in the International Genealogical Index
as having been born in the United States between 1780 and 1820.
We would surmise that he was born between these years
as he participated in Zions Camp in 1834 and most of those who marched
were young men. And since most converts at that early date were from the
Northeast, we would guess that Michael was also.
What is certain is that he accompanied the Prophet
Joseph Smith to Missouri on Zions Camp in 1834.
Although no anecdotal evidence appears, it seems likely that he participated
faithfully and in a spirit of good will since the following year (1835)
he was ordained a Seventy and took his place in the First Quorum of Seventy,
thereby earning a place in the register of General Authorities.
Returning to Kirtland, Ohio after Zions Camp, Elder
Griffith was present as the winds of apostasy swirled about that city.
But it seems he remained faithful for he is listed among those who signed
the constitution of the Kirtland Camp signifying their intent to travel
en masse to the land of Zion to escape the apostasy and persecutions
then abounding in Kirtland. He is listed as having six in his family, presumably himself, his wife, and four children.
Whether he actually made the trip is not known for
we have located no futher mention of Elder Griffith in the records we have
searched. Accoringly, we have no further information on his later life or his death.
