Smiths get acquainted in Salt Lake City and Australia
By Julie Maddox
August 2005 marks the first world-wide reunion of the Joseph Smith Jr. Family. The descendants gathered in Salt Lake City (Aug 5-7) and in Australia (Sep 2-4) to celebrate Joseph’s 200th birthday. They toured historical sights, saw documents and artifacts written by and belonging to Joseph and Emma and received copies of some of these. They learned about Joseph Smith, found their names on a 17 foot genealogical chart, and had their pictures taken with Joseph and Emma.
They mingled, ate Emma’s raisin oatmeal cookies, and learned of Joseph’s ancestors. The youth made a movie about Palmyra, and the children danced, played and laughed. The cousins in Salt Lake attended a “Joseph Smith Spectacular†— a highlight for many as they saw the love and respect thousands had for their ancestor by giving his descendants a standing ovation.
In Carlingford, Australia, cousins learned of their Australian heritage through Ina Inez Smith and Sydney Wright, learned of Joseph Smith and were honored to hear of Joseph Smith’s contributions by Mr. Dennis Clark from the NSW Australian Parliament.
But perhaps the most significant event was the vote taken at the conclusion of both the Salt Lake and Australia reunions: the cousins’ unanimous decision to hold reunions every other year. Australian cousins want to see places their ancestors lived, so the 2007 reunion will take place in Nauvoo.
Cousins can see photos and get information at the family website: www.JosephSmithJr.com.
The web site will provide ongoing information about Joseph and Emma, their ancestry and posterity, keep their genealogical histories accurate and current, and receive information about the 2007 Joseph Smith Jr. Reunion.