Samantha Payne says that JS had a poor reputation as a student in school.
Clark Braden and E. L. Kelley, Public Discussion of the Issues Between the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Church of Christ (Disciples) Held in Kirtland, Ohio, Beginning February 12, and Closing March 8, 1884 Between E. L. Kelley, of the Reorganized Church ofJesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Clark Braden, of the Church of Christ (St. Louis: Clark Braden, [1884]), 350
She was a schoolmate of Smith. His reputation was bad; he was regarded as a worthless, shiftless fellow, a braggadocio and a blackguard.