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MEET BRIAN
On his mother's side, Brian proudly carries the legacy of his great great grandfather, Hyrum Smith, brother to Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This connection to a pivotal figure in religious history fuels Brian's perspective on challenging authority. He reflects on the Christlike attribute of questioning power, drawing parallels between the sacrifice of Jesus and the challenges faced by his great great grandfather in standing up for truth, even when unpopular.
Born into a legacy of pioneers, Brian Smith King's roots in Utah run deep.
Family Heritage: Pioneers and Rebels
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Brian's father and sons in front of the home his father was born in. Teasdale, Utah. 1984
“Not only through my study of the New Testament and Book of Mormon but from studying my own family history, I’ve come to believe that it is Christlike to challenge the status quo. The man we worship was killed for it. My great great grandfather, Hyrum Smith, was also killed for challenging authority and standing up for what he knew to be true, even when it was deeply unpopular. In everything I do, I hope to follow in their footsteps.”
Brian’s paternal grandmother’s family, the Lymans, further extends Brian's pioneer roots, with origins in Southern Utah. Brian often reminisces about family gatherings on the Boulder Mountain, surrounded by the red-rock beauty of the landscape, where the essence of Utah's beginnings seeped into their shared stories.
Brian's grandfather on his father's side served a term in the Utah State House of Representatives exactly a century before Brian's own first term—a century bridging generations and echoing the commitment to public service that resonates in the King family history.
Brian's mother, a feminist and progressive, left an indelible mark on his values. Engaging in the PTA and the Women's State Legislative Council, she epitomized the principles of autonomy and equality. Her rational and logical approach to issues, notably her disappointment when the Equal Rights Amendment failed in Utah and her support for Roe v. Wade, influenced Brian and his brothers. The dining table debates became a training ground for Brian's ability to navigate nuanced discussions, embracing both emotional and analytical perspectives.
Brian, the fifth of five boys, was born in Salt Lake City. His father, an attorney, and his grandfather, a sheep and cattle rancher in Wayne and Garfield counties, instilled values that would shape Brian's future.
From dinner table dialogues to evolving values, Brian embarks on a transformative journey.
Growing Up "For the Better"
The dinner table in the King household was not just a place for meals but a crucible for ideas and opinions. Engaging in discussions that were neither adversarial nor personal, the family explored perspectives, often finding themselves switching positions mid-conversation. In these moments, they recognized the separation between individual identity and the ideas being presented.
Legal Trailblazer: David vs. Goliath
Returning to Utah after his mission for the LDS church in St. Louis, Missouri, Brian’s decision to follow in his family's legal footsteps unfolded organically. Three out of five brothers became lawyers, and Brian decided to become a trial lawyer representing individuals who have been harmed by insurers’ wrongful denial of claims. Drawing on the stories of his father's legal exploits, he found himself in court regularly, advocating for families against corporate interests. His commitment to representing those whose mental health and substance use disorder treatment claims were denied by insurance companies reflects a dedication to justice and advocacy.
Championing justice against insurance denials.
“It’s very much a David v. Goliath situation. It’s an important effort to make mental health treatment more accessible and to hold insurers accountable. I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing with my life (except being Governor). It’s making a difference for good – for the better.”
“It’s hard to escape the reality that we are what we are raised to be. But when your party shifts and abandons your values, you have to re-evaluate your politics. You have to be willing to evolve – for the better.”
Parental Perspectives
From dinner table dialogues to evolving values, Brian embarks on a transformative journey.
Family expanded for Brian when he became a father himself, with four children—Alexandra, Jocelyn, Olivia, and Sophia. Each child brought unique challenges and joys, contributing to Brian's evolution as a father. Brian's journey to parenthood was marked by introspection and a determination to create the best possible lives for his children.
“This truly is the story of our lives. We get distracted by things, our attention gets diverted. We often have to be struck deeply to remember that our relationships and our families are the most important thing. How we spend our time and who we are serving is important.”
Serving for a Better Tomorrow
The intertwining of family, career, and public service defines Brian's narrative. As an LDS Bishop in the mid-1990s, he embraced connecting with people during vulnerable moments.
Political service became a natural extension of Brian's commitment to community. Elected to the State Legislature in 2008, he later assumed the role of House Minority Leader from 2015 to 2023. In navigating the complexities of legislation, Brian learned the art of thoughtful disagreement for the better—a principle he carried into the legislative sphere from his personal and professional life.
While remaining an active member of the church, Brian's interfaith marriage and close ties with friends and family from diverse religious backgrounds underscore his belief that every Utahn deserves an advocate for religious or non-religious liberty. This conviction compels him to proactively speak out against any restrictions on freedoms or rights imposed in the name of religion.
Brian's personal life, professional career, political service, and church commitments revolve around a recurring paradigm: the convergence of problem-solving and nurturing.
Leadership and advocacy in public service.
Tying More Than Knots
In 2022, Brian's life took a new turn when he married Ann Silverberg Williamson, adding twin daughters and a son to his family.
Their Brady Bunch family of seven children, along with three grandkids, gathers for family dinners on Mondays. These visits encapsulate the essence of shared values and a commitment to open dialogue. Around the dinner table, laughter intermingles with thoughtful discussions, creating a space where diverse perspectives are not just tolerated but celebrated – a familiar feeling for Brian, reminiscent of his own dinner table growing up. That table and everything it comes with is a microcosm of Brian's vision for Utah—a state where the richness of its diversity becomes a source of strength and unity.
A New Chapter: family, unity, and open dialogue.
