“First Missionaries,” Liahona, April 2017 Church History Figures First Missionaries Use these to share Church history stories! After the Church was organized, Heavenly Father wanted everyone to hear about the gospel. The first missionary was Joseph Smith’s brother Samuel. Hyrum, Joseph’s older brother, also taught others about the gospel. One day a man named Parley P. Pratt told Hyrum he had spent all day reading the Book of Mormon. Hyrum taught him more about the Church, and he was baptized. Then Parley served a mission! He became a leader in the Church.