The Joseph Smith Jr. Family gathered in Independence and Nauvoo from June 6 to June 10, 2007. The theme, “Joseph, Where are the rest of my children” was chosen from Emma’s personal experience just before her death.
Mike Kennedy, the Joseph Smith Jr. Family Organization President said, “We wanted to show that Emma went through many trials of her own and shared her husband’s trials and could have abandoned her husband, freeing herself from much grief if she just walked away. But she bore her trials not because of her faith in her husband, but because of her faith in Jesus Christ who she knew called her husband to the work he performed.”
Descendants filled out family group sheets, participated in DNA testing, and enjoyed presentations on the Smith family as they toured historical settings. The family greatly appreciated the lectures by Paul Smith and Ken Smith from the Utah LDS Church education system, and Bill Curtis, a local historian. Family visited the LDS Visitors center, the Community of Christ Auditorium and Temple, and the Temple lot. A grave site ceremony concluded the Independence visit.
In Missouri, the family visited Liberty jail and viewed the film “Joseph.” After the film, their whole countenances had changed. They later said they had never known these things about their ancestors.
They also saw a short film on Emma’s life by Gary Cook (LDS Motion Picture Studio) and a powerpoint presentation by Paul Smith (CES). They joined in singing the chorus of “Mother, We are Here” a song by Emma’s great, great granddaughter Lorena Normandeau. This song had a tremendous impact on the family and left few dry eyes. “Even today, a few weeks later” Mike and Darcy Kennedy say, “we receive email where descendants tell us they are always caught humming this song.”
A highlight of the Nauvoo trip was the grave site ceremony at Lamoni. Each descendant took flowers and a list of progenitors to find. Finding their relatives became a real experience for our families, even the youth. Australians visiting these sites for the first time were beyond simple emotion as they found Alexander Hale’s grave.
The family spent the rest of the trip touring the Old City, Nauvoo. Most of the family lodged at the Riverside Mansion, Emma’s home. They called it “Gramma’s home.” This name still continues today. Emma Belle Kennedy performed a reenactment of her third great grandmother’s experience seeing Emma for the last time.
The family concluded the event at Joseph and Emma’s grave site. Ivor Jones spoke of the love for family that must continue. Michael Kennedy spoke on the importance of the family gatherings and the need for Joseph and Emma’s posterity to stand up and bear witness of who they were. As the world takes notice of Joseph, his children must stand up as the lion and bear witness of Joseph’s divine calling and no longer hide in obscurity.