As an adolescent, Smith was an early convert to the Church of Christ that was established by his brother Joseph in 1830.
[1] Smith was the first editor of the Nauvoo, Illinois-based Latter Day Saint newspaper Times and Seasons, beginning in June 1839 after he and his colleague, Ebenezer Robinson, were commissioned by a council of leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to publish.
Smith also participated in printing the monthly editions of the Messenger and Advocate newspaper.
He represented the high priests of the church when the cornerstones were laid to the Nauvoo Temple in early 1841.
Don Carlos Smith was the father of Ina Coolbrith, who became the first poet laureate of California.