Before and after photos of William Jasper Harris and Martha Ann Smith Harris’ grave in the Provo Cemetery.
Hyrum Smith’s youngest daughter, Martha Ann Smith Harris’, Headstone in Provo Cemetery Began Deteriorating
Last year, the outside sandstone base began flaking off and a horizontal crack developed running through the base and along a sandstone layer. To eliminate the possibility of the top pieces of the headstone from toppling and being damaged, a new granite base was installed.
The original sandstone base was placed 114 years ago following William’s passing. William’s passing was caused by being hit by a buggy that was racing down Center Street in Provo. Over the years, time and weather have been eroding the beautiful sandstone base.
Restored Headstone for Martha Ann Smith Harris and her husband, William Jasper Harris – Provo Cemetery
The Smith Family appreciates this work that was spearheaded by a William Jasper Harris and Martha Ann Smith Harris family member. Thanks to all who contributed to help purchase this beautiful new base. Many more also wished to contribute but the needed amount had already been donated. Please know that your desire to donate was also very much appreciated.
As we give honor to the life and legacy of President M. Russell Ballard, our thoughts turn to his love of family, ancestors, and the younger generations of Smiths. In addition to focusing on beautifying the Family Cemetery, he was the driving force behind gathering our family. He was especially intent on seeing that the Family Association focuses on having the younger generations get to know their ancestors and their sacrifices to establish the latter-day dispensation. This is evident in efforts such as student scholarships, reunion activities and online programs. We propose that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joseph Smith Sr and Lucy Mack Smith Family Association.
Mail: c/o Frances Orton 381 W 3700 N Provo UT 84604
President Gary Gustafson welcoming all assembledHistorian Kathy Schillemat with the Historical Society of Cheshire County shared some background on Solomon Mack and his familySolomon Mack (Lucy Mack Smith’s father) Family Burial Row in Gilsum, New Hampshire – Photo by Bryan Davis
Here are the 8 stones we have identified at the Centennial Cemetery in Gilsum–who they are and their relationship to Lucy Mack Smith:
1. Solomon Mack (b. 1732) – Lucy’s father
2. Capt. Solomon Mack II (b. 1773) – Lucy’s brother
3. Esther Hayward Mack (b. 1773), 1st wife of Capt. Solomon Mack II – Lucy’s sister-in-law
4. Betsey Way Alexander Mack (b. 1773), 3rd wife of Capt. Solomon Mack II – Lucy’s sister-in-law
5. Dennis Mack (b. 1809), son of Capt. Solomon Mack II – Lucy’s nephew
6. Amos Mack (b. 1807), son of Capt. Solomon Mack II – Lucy’s nephew
7. Esther Mack (b. 1815), daughter of Capt. Solomon Mack II – Lucy’s niece
8. Chauncey Alexander (b. 1831), daughter of Betsey Way and Jabez Alexander – Lucy’s step nephew
From an article in the Smith Family Newsletter May 1996 we have a little background on the resting place for Solomon Mack:
“Solomon Mack’s headstone is broken beyond repair!” This was the message transmitted to our family last year. The Centennial Cemetery in Gilsum, New Hampshire, is the final resting place of Solomon Mack, Lucy Mack Smith’s father. Many other Mack family headstones stand there in a row. Unfortunately, the years have taken their toll on Solomon’s headstone. Years ago, it was cracked in half. Someone repaired it by bolting iron supports together which have over the years expanded and intensified the damage. Two years ago a visitor to the cemetery unintentionally leaned against the headstone and provided further breakage.”
Solomon Mack by Alchetron
“The headstone of Betsy A. Mack, sister-in-law to Lucy Mack Smith was also broken and not repairable. Through a miraculous set of events, a monument maker and friend of the Smith family, Monte Hendrickson, happened to hear about the damage and volunteered to take additional time on a trip to Vermont to assess what needed to be done. Monte and his wife, Betty, found the cemetery and concluded that no further repair was possible. They removed the portion of Solomon’s headstone with the old engraving on it. They have inset the old engraving into a new headstone which will be erected on Solomon’s grave in June. They have also made a new headstone for Betsy Mack. Monte and Betty have generously contributed labor, materials and significant time to honor Solomon and Betsy. Thank you Monte and Betty for your love of the Smith family and for your selfless service!”
Solomon’s self-published history, “Narrative of the Life of Solomon Mack”, sharing his conversion to Christianity
“My friends when you read this journal remember your unfortunate friend Solomon Mack, who worried and toiled until an old age, to try to lay up treasures in this world, but the Lord would not suffer me to have it, but now I trust I have treasures laid up that no man can take away, but by the goodness of God through the blood of a bleeding Saviour.”
“Although I am a poor cripple unable to walk much, or even to mount or dismount my horse I hope to serve my God by his assistance to [divine] acceptance, that I may at last leap for joy [to] see his face and hold him fast in my embrace.”
Smith Family Home in Palmyra, New York – September 2023 – photos by Joey OrtonMoroni Appears to Joseph Smith in His Room by Tom Lovell
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Moroni’s visit to Joseph Smith Jr. – September 21-22, 2023
Smith Family gathered in Palmyra, New York on Thursday, September 14 to produce a video to share as a family, celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Moroni appearing to young Joseph Smith.
The Smith Family is the core family of the restoration. The Prophet Joseph’s work could never have been done by him alone. It became a family responsibility. They not only shared in its glorious events, but they suffered persecution, abuse, imprisonment and even death. All these things seemed to strengthen their testimonies. Each family member believed Joseph’s work was of God. Following is a short, but representative compilation of Book of Mormon testimonies, borne by Smith family members. On the 200th anniversary of Moroni’s first visit to the Prophet Joseph, it is appropriate that we pause and be reminded that each family member knew and testified that it was true. Their testimonies reflect our ancestor’s deep faith and devotion. There are many more that could have been published. There are many, many more that were unspoken. Hopefully, you will become acquainted with their testimonies. Hopefully your children, grandchildren and generations to come will become acquainted with their testimonies. As you learn, teach and share, your testimonies will grow. You will gain a greater appreciation for the price that was paid by the whole Smith family at the beginning of this work. We pray that these testimonies will build our faith and cause us to follow in their footsteps.
2022 Smith Reunion Family Photo at the Smith Cemetery in Nauvoo at the beginning of the World’s Largest .005K EventSmith Family World’s Largest .005K Event
Smith Family .005K Event
World’s Largest .005K Finish at the Mansion House in Nauvoo – 2022Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Reunion Golden Anniversary Foil Wrapped Chocolate Coin Medals
In architecture, an arch represents strength and support. This reunion arch beautifully illustrates, the strength of our Smith heritage and support we can lend one another as family now.
Our family story officially began January 24, 1796, when Lucy Mack married Joseph Smith. The heart at the center is for them and the love they have for each one of you, their dear grandchildren.
How many lilac blossoms can you count in the second arch? Lilacs are a favorite flower in the Smith family. The blossoms represent all eleven children born to Joseph and Lucy.
Seven bands of our arch represent the seven children who have living posterity. Is your great grandma Katharine or Lucy? Maybe your great grandpa is Don Carlos, William, Samuel, Joseph Jr., or Hyrum. The band width and mix of styles is an example of how Smith siblings love each other through thick and thin. Differences do not divide us. Instead we become a more beautiful and loving family.
The vine represents each new branch of the Smith family tree. Grandma Lucy would be delighted to see us all working together in the family garden, knowing the fruits of our labor include far more than just vegetables to harvest. Perhaps this band of leaves will remind you of the old willow tree growing behind the mansion house. Imagine having picnics with cousins in the shade or finding a quiet place under its branches for prayer.
Celebrating fifty years since Smith reunions began again in Nauvoo 1972, this arch also represents the span of generations past to present. In 1863, Joseph III said he could see “…the dawning of a day when the sons of our fathers will stand shoulder to shoulder … as stood our fathers in bygone days.”
Arches often remind us of rainbows which direct us to lift our eyes toward heaven and remember God’s promises. This week you will learn more about the promised blessings to the Smith family and perhaps make promises of your own. Our family friend, Karl Anderson taught at a previous reunion in Nauvoo, as you draw close to our Savior, you will grow close to Joseph, Hyrum, and each of the other children of Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack. He said, “I know that the work they tried to do is establish firmly the restoration of God’s Kingdom on earth. … That is what they were all about. It is true. It came from heaven through the Smith family.”
From an article written by Sarah Jane Weaver with Church News, she quotes Anne Barret, president of the Topsfield Historical Society. Anne said the history of the Smith family is intertwined with the Topsfield community. The new marker — built by the Ensign Peak Foundation in collaboration with town officials — serves as a quiet reminder that the Smiths were once here, she said.
(Images taken from a family scrapbook of a trip made in 1805 by President Joseph F. Smith and several others)Smith Family Memorial Dedication – Saturday, May 14, 2022 Left to right: Association Committee Member – Don Blanchard, Smith Family Member, Tiina Maughan, helped with planning events in Topsfield – Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family Association Committee Members from left to right: Robert (Bob) Smith, Julie Maddox, Daniel Adams, Steve Orton, Mike Kennedy, Michael Jr. & Meagan Kennedy, Michael Nebeker, Daniel Larsen, Laura Blanchard, and Jared Glade. Sitting in front: Frances Orton, W. Emery Smith, and Karl Anderson. Photo provided by Daniel Adams. The Smith Family returned and gathered outside the Topsfield Congregational Church after services – Sunday, May 15, 2022 – Photo credit: SWhelan.The Smith Family presented a painting of Topsfield in the 1760’s by Vivian Adams to the Congregational Church and community as a gift of gratitude and appreciation signed on the back by the Smith Association Committee and Family Members
Left to right: Karl Anderson, Executive Secretary of the Joseph Smith Sr and Lucy Mack Smith Family Association, Michael Nebeker (Smith Association Committee), Craig Ballard (Smith Association Trustee), Daniel Adams (Smith Association Committee), Tony Rogers (Topsfield Church Moderator), Steven and Frances Orton (Trustee &Chair of Activities of Joseph Smith Sr and Lucy Mack Smith Family Association) and Emery Smith (Smith Association Treasurer). Photo credit: SWhelan.
From the 1985 Smith Family Reunion News: “Matriarch Lucy Mack clearly pointed out in her writings that her family possessed close family ties and had a divine destiny. Patriarch Joseph Smith Sr., recognizing his wife to be “one of the most singular women in the world,” told her, “You have brought up my children for me by the fireside, and when I was gone from home, you comforted them.”
“Lucy Mack Smith,” by Sutcliffe Maudsley
in 1863, Joseph III said he could see “…the dawning of a day when the sons of our fathers will stand shoulder to shoulder…as stood our fathers in bygone days.”
Smith Family Siblings – December 2005 Ensign Magazine
Service Project – Nauvoo Smith Family Gardens
Nauvoo Smith Family Gardens by the Mansion House
Some August 4-6, 2022 Reunion Highlights:
Pickup your registration Thursday evening and meet and greet your cousins.
Join with the family at the tents by the Nauvoo House.
Participate in the service project—working in the new Smith Family Gardens by the Mansion House.
Honor Father and Mother Smith with the family wreath memorial.
Sign up to participate in a family archeological experience with iDig Nauvoo.
Enjoy the homecooked barbeque dinner arranged by Doug Smith and Bob Smith and sponsored by the Samuel Smith Family.
Smile for the traditional Smith Family Reunion Group Photo.
Gather for the banquet and program at the Nauvoo Stake Center.
Purchase Price before July 5th:
$60 – Adult Registration $45 – 10 and younger Free for 2 and under
