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
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.
We had great success with last year’s dig (2022) in exploring more of the Times and Seasons printing office location. We were able to identify the steps that lead to the basement entry. This discovery is crucial once we begin reconstruction to restore the building. Additionally, type from the printing press and glass from the windows of the building were uncovered.
What we hope to discover and excavate this year is more of the foundation of the building. It would also be helpful to find the privy because it is a treasure trove of artifacts.
The Times and Seasons printing office housed the printing press that was used to print the Times and Seasons periodical— an important source of information to the early settlers of Nauvoo and the surrounding area. Issues were published at least monthly from November 1839 to February 1846. The motto of the paper was “Truth will prevail.”
Editors included Ebenezer Robinson, Don Carlos Smith, Robert B. Thompson, Willard Richards, Joseph Smith, Jr., John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff.
We are looking forward to the participation of students from Western Illinois University Archaeological Department to this year’s dig. Their addition to the efforts of students from Brigham Young University and other volunteers will help make this dig even more productive. The idigNauvoo archaeological discoveries have only been made possible by the contributions of many volunteers throughout the past ten years.
Angel Moroni Giving the Plates to Joseph Smith by Jorge Cocco
200 years ago, 17-year-old Joseph Smith was under constant and severe persecution for claiming he had seen God and Jesus Christ—persecution intended to make him deny that vision or any heavenly manifestation— persecution which under any other circumstance would have closed the heavens! Yet in this very environment, young Joseph announced a second remarkable vision, one in which the promised messenger of the Lord had come to prepare the way for the long-prophesied restoration.
As is the pattern of restoration, this messenger quoted several Biblical prophecies and stated that they were beginning to be fulfilled, of angels appearing to men, old men having remarkable dreams, young men having glorious visions and power and truth coming to the earth once more!
This messenger called himself Moroni and spoke of a new book of scripture, its translation, and of Joseph’s role in this restoration. This visit was so critical that Moroni repeated it three times over the course of the night and again the next day.
Despite Hell’s intensifying fury, the heavens were forever opened, God stood revealed, and man could finally know his purpose and destiny! Moroni and other angelic visitors would now mentor Joseph as the restoration unfolded and which, as Moroni prophesied, is now filling the world.
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.
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.
On the left: Joseph F. Smith visit to Robert Smith Home, 1905. On the right: Joseph F. Smith’s visit to home of Samuel Smith in Topsfield, MA.
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.
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.
I am helping to publicize and promote a marathon run that honors the memory of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. It is being held on May 27th this year, which is Memorial day weekend. The run starts in Nauvoo, and ends in Carthage.
Would you be able to help us get the word out about this marathon through your website or an email to Smith family members?
For more information, you can look at our website, which is: https://www.roadtocarthagemarathon.com. It will give you the details of the entire weekend of plans for the race.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Judy Chauncey
Media Relations Specialist
Road to Carthage Marathon
760-681-0925
A report on the Asael Smith Headstone has been posted to: Headstone Report
Because of the many donations from the Smith family this work was accomplished. We thank you. Many thanks to James Long for donating his skills and time. In addition to the financial donations for this project all time and travel expenses were donated by those who participated. There are many more projects where our family will make a difference. We want to continue sending a printed newsletter each year. All of these projects need additional support. If you would still like to donate to the work being done by the family you can by going to: http://josephsmithsr.org/products-page/.
