Saturday, October 24, 2020
We are still monitoring the pandemic reopening regulations and schedules.
2020 Vision Celebration – Rescheduled
Go to the Grove – Chalk the Walk
We are sharing some activities to help distract our family members from the COVID-19 news. Add some fun and lighten the day. One challenge: be the first person to determine what the image inside the below words “Chalk the Walk.†Email your guess to Steve Orton or Frances Orton.
We are excited to announce a new contest “Chalk the Walk†to celebrate with art the “Go to the Grove†theme. We invite you individually or as a group to decorate your sidewalks and driveways with chalk art. These “Go to the Grove†activities are to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the First Vision in our efforts to have Joseph’s name known for good. This contest is open to the public, so ask your family, neighbors, and friends to participate. Please follow the guidelines and directives of physical distancing as instructed by community leaders. Here are the details:
- The contest is free and anyone that appreciates (or is interested in) the “Go to the Grove†activities can enter.
- Enter to win up to $50 in prize money. We currently have $50 and other small prizes which will be for one winner or divided by up to five winners.
- If you’re able, contact us about donating additional prize money.
- Share photos and comments of you creating your artwork. Add the # Go to the Grove 5K.
- Complete your chalk art project anytime between now and Saturday, April 25th
- Submit your entry by Noon, Mountain Standard Time, Monday, April 27th
http://chalk.gotothegrove.com. - Winners will be announced on by Friday, April 30th.
2020 Vision Celebration – General Conference Bingo
Print this page to participate in the game. Use your smart phone to scan the QR Code and perform the associated tasks. Enjoy and have fun.
Virtual Go to the Grove 5K
For health and safety concerns we are making the 5K a virtual race. This new format is actually more fitting with the goal of “Go to the Grove” because we are celebrating the world-changing event that Joseph Smith made 200 years ago. He went to the grove by himself to ask a question. The answer has changed the world.
Each reunion year we are excited to do a service project that will help and improve the world we live in and have Joseph’s name known for good. This year, our project reflects our theme of the 2020 Vision Celebration. In honor of the miraculous event 200 years ago, we have chosen to donate to Vision Care. This organization helps “volunteer ophthalmologists assist medical care providers around the world with training and equipment to treat simple vision problems.” The Go to the Grove Virtual 5K raises funds that the Smith Family will donate to honor the good that began with Joseph Smith’s First Vision.
- Register soon. We have extended the deadline to May 11. (http://gotothegrove.com/)
- You will receive a t-shirt and a collector’s medal in the mail.
- Run or walk a 5K whenever and wherever you can before October 2020.
- Get someone to take a picture of you running or do a 5K selfie.
- Record and report your time if you would like a chance at winning a prize.
Smith Family 2020 Vision Celebration
Registration is now open for the 2020 Vision Celebration. This day will be filled with wonderful experiences helping us celebrate 200 years since the First Vision.
Smith Family Monument & Plaza Dedication
Topsfield, MA. – June 20, 2020
Topsfield Cemetery Smith Monument during a visit of Joseph F. Smith and family members
December 25, 1905
This monument was erected in memory of Robert Smith and also 1st and 2nd Samuel
By George A. Smith and other descendants in Utah
A new Smith monument and plaza is underway in Topsfield, Massachusetts. This unique and large endeavor at the Pine Grove Cemetery will include a monument similar to the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in Sharon, Vermont.
Congregational Church in Topsfield, Massachusetts –
Photos by Michael Nebeker
The monument has been developed by the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation through the Chair, Kim Wilson. This 2020 project celebrates the 200th anniversary year of the First Vision and the 400th anniversary year of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock. The Smith Family Monument and plaza is a tribute to the Smith family who immigrated to Topsfield, Massachusetts. Five generations of Smith descents cherished the American dream and raised their families in the Topsfield community. They were actively involved in the Congregational Church and the community.
President M. Russell Ballard is excited about the project and he is planning to perform the dedication. The dedication will take place on Saturday, June 20th, 2020 at the Topsfield Fairgrounds Arena. It is an exciting time for descendants of Robert Smith, the first Smith to immigrate to this country, to come together and to celebrate and learn an amazing part of the Smith family history. Space at the dedication will be limited.
If you would like to participate please click this link.
Partially installed granite sections – Photos by Rick Cochran
The construction of the site has begun. Like the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial, Vermont granite is being used. The Topsfield Cemetery Commission approved a large plaza area encompassed by granite curbing, granite corner posts, the middle granite posts, four granite benches and decorative chain cordoning-off the plaza area. The new monument and the existing marker will be inside the curbed area with a long 300-foot handicapped accessible pathway from the parking area directly to the Smith Family Monument.
The approval of the project included a stipulation that the site work would begin in 2019. The polished granite memorial is expected to be installed by late March of 2020.
This photo was taken at the edge of the parking area looking towards the new Smith plaza and monument – Photo by Rick Cochran
Architectural rendering of the Smith Family Memorial
Mormon Historic Sites Foundation has asked that the family contribute toward the memorial. This is honoring the Smith family and we feel we should support it by contributing what you are able by pressing the green donate button and giving what you can.
This is a wonderful gift in honor of the Prophet’s birthday! It is exactly 214 years from his birth – Monday, December 23, 1805.
2018 Salt Lake City Memories
Reunion Links
2018 Smith Reunion Final Program
Thursday, August 2 – Registration – Meet and Greet
Friday, August 3 – Scholarship Presentation and
In Emma’s Footsteps Movie
Friday – Smith Family Devotional
Saturday, August 4 – Service Project and Devotional
Saturday – Smith Family Devotional
Sunday, August 5 – Music and the Spoken Word
Sunday – Music and the Spoken Word
Video Clips
Family Service Project – Sleep in Heavenly Peace – Bunk Beds
Be Part of the Smith Family History
Click above to view the podcast, Dreaming of a Heavenly Home by Dan Adams
The Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family has been meeting together since 1972 and look how we have grown. We have the chance to experience and learn how our ancestors trials allowed them to glimpse eternity and have the strength to endure life with hope. Come be part of history.
Register by Saturday, July 21.
Links:
Joseph Smith Sr and Lucy Mack Smith Family Reunion History in Pictures
2018 Online Reunion Agenda
Order Reunion T-Shirts
Reunion Fact Sheet  (parking and building entrance instructions)
Our service project will take place right next to the Pioneer Pavilion #7 on the map.
Plan ahead to be part of our family photo. Leave early if you have trouble getting around and meet at Mary Fielding Smith’s Cabin # 47 on the map. You can walk there or take the train to the stop by #44 T by the Native American Village. It is a short walk from there. Just follow the directions on the path.
Link for: This Is The Place Heritage Park Map
The Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family Association is working with Sleep In Heavenly Peace for our summer’s service project.
Please click this Lehi Chapter link and fill out the Sleep In Heavenly Peace Release Form online to participate.
Or contribute by mail with checks or money orders to:
Joseph Smith Sr. Family Association
c/o Frances Orton
381 W 3700 N
Provo, UT 84604
Make a notation on the check: Sleep In Heavenly Peace.
Lucy Mack Smith Shawl
The Spring 2018 Smith Newsletter featured a Paisley shawl belonging to Lucy Mack Smith. These shawls were extremely popular in the early 1800s. The cone or almond shaped designs came from East Asia. Because so many shawls were produced in Paisley, England, the almond pattern came to be called a Paisley pattern.
Lucy’s black wool shawl is large enough to cover a bed or to be folded over and worn as a winter coat.
Pattern Activity
If you want to participate in this activity please sign up. This activity will cost $3.00 per white iron-on vinyl transfer (10.5 inches wide and 3.75 inches tall). You also need to provide and bring the fabric item you wish to place the Lucy Mack Smith Shawl Pattern on.
For those who are unable to build a bunk bed you can bring and donate solid colored pillowcases. We will provide a Smith greeting vinyl message to transfer on your donation.
Reunion News – April 27, 2018
Scholarship Contest
The Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family Association is offering annual scholarships to college, high school and junior high students who are planning to attend college or similar institution.
Up to $1,000
Deadline is July 1, 2018
How learning about the values and sacrifices of Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith’s family can help me and my family honor their legacy.
Applicants do not need to be Smith Family descendants to enter. For more details go to https://josephsmithsr.org/scholarship/.
Inside the Smith family home in 1818, which was their second home in Palmyra.
- The reconstruction is located on the site of the original.
- The eight witnesses saw the golden plates in a grove near the log home.
- Joseph’s first visit from Angel Moroni was here.
- Joseph lived here at the time of the First Vision which occurred in the woods behind the home.
“Dreaming of a Heavenly Homeâ€
Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family Reunion
August 2-5, 2018
Reunion Registration Is Now Open!
Click on the above registration link or use: https://josephsmithsr.org/reunion/registration/.
You can look forward to:
- Thursday night registration will be held in the lobby of the Church Office Building.
- Friday morning, we will have a family gathering at the Conference Center’s Little Theater. The afternoon will be open for individual family groups to take tours and enjoy time together. In the evening we will have a family dinner in the lobby of the Conference Center. This is a unique opportunity to sit down and enjoy a meal together as one large happy family group. A devotional will be held after the dinner in the Conference Center’s Little Theater.
- Saturday, we will have our service project, family memorial and photo, and a picnic lunch at This Is The Place Heritage Park at 2601 East Sunnyside Ave. There will be free time in the afternoon to enjoy This Is The Place Heritage Park. Saturday evening, we have a family meeting in downtown Salt Lake at the Assembly Hall.
Then of course we will have our last gathering attending Music and the Spoken Word on Sunday.
The Spring Family Newsletter Is Here
We had an unfortunate mix up on the database and we are sorry for the confusion with the newsletter mailing. You may have received someone else’s name to your address. We apologize for the error. We hope you understand that we won’t be able to resend the newsletter.
The pattern used on the cover of the newsletter was taken from a shawl that belonged to Lucy Mack Smith under the design work of Danielle Maddox.
We have attached a copy of the Spring Newsletter to this email blast. You can also view this information here: https://josephsmithsr.org/newsletter/2010-2019/spring-2018/.
Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family Association Is Working with Sleep In Heavenly Peace
The Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family Association is working with Sleep In Heavenly Peace for our summer’s service project. Sleep In Heavenly Peace was featured this month on a program called Returning The Favor. Please watch this clip https://www.facebook.com/ReturningTheFavor/videos/2020109721593621/ and see why their team stopped by Twin Falls, Idaho to meet Luke Mickelson who started Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization whose mission is to ensure that no child in their town ever has to sleep on the floor.
Click to donate toward our service project.
Or contribute by mail with checks or money orders to:
Joseph Smith Sr. Family Association
c/o Frances Orton
381 W 3700 N
Provo, UT 84604
Make a notation on the check: Sleep In Heavenly Peace.
Steve & Frances Orton
Steve: steve.ortonio@gmail.com
Frances: ortonfrances@gmail.com
c/o Steve and Frances Orton
381 West 3700 North
Provo UT 84604
Request for Musical Numbers
We are looking for musical numbers for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at our Reunion.
If you have a musical number you would like to perform that would work
with our theme (Dreaming of a Heavenly Home), please contact
Frances Orton at ortonfrances@gmail.com.