2024 Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Reunion Highlights

2024 Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family Reunion in Salt Lake City, Utah – West High School –Service Project for Utah Food Bank

2024 Reunion Links:

Reunion Schedule

Reunion Program

Thursday, August 1 – Registration – Meet and Greet

Thursday Reunion Recap

Daguerreotype and Forensic Information

Opening Night Reunion Video

Joseph Brickey and Dan Larsen unveiling an image of Joseph Smith using forensic science and daguerreotype

Friday, August 2 – Reunion Events

Family Visits to the Church History Museum and Church History Library

Gary Smith Discussing the Artifacts and Their Stories

Fireside Notes with Brad Wilcox

Friday Night Video with Brad Wilcox

Saturday, August 3 – Events

Reunion Group Photo and Lunch Memories

Alex Boye – Speaking and Singing

Service Project

2024 Joseph Smith Sr. Family Reunion Service Project

Sunday, August 4 – Music and the Spoken Word

Sunday Memories

Last Call for Registrations – Register by July 24th

We are excited about the Smith Family Reunion in Salt Lake City. We have arranged to learn more about the exciting research on the recently found Joseph Smith Daguerreotype. We will be the first group to learn about the new research. Do not miss this opening session.

At the Church History Museum, we will have the privilege of seeing some of the recently acquired Smith Family items. This will be followed by private sessions on selected treasured Smith Family letters and papers at the Church History Library. These are not just historical artifacts, but part of our family’s legacy. Click the links to learn the locations of the two facilities. We are excited to hear some inspiring words from Brad Wilcox.

At each reunion, we come together to serve. This year, we have a special project. We are purchasing 7,000 boxes of Macaroni & Cheese that we will set up in a domino fashion in the West High School Gym. We will pass the boxes from person to person, creating a human chain of helping hands that will stretch from the gym to the truck. This act of service will not only be fun but will also make a significant impact as we donate the food to the Utah Food Bank. The Samuel Smith family is preparing for an amazing luncheon and needs to know if you’ll be there. For that reason, we ask you to register before July 24. We are also looking forward to having the best smiles in the largest family photo.

  • 2024 Smith Family Registration by July 24 only $20 per person
  • 2024 Smith Family Registration after July 24 $30 per person
License for Joseph Smith Sr 9 June 1830 from JosephSmithPapers.org – Used by permission.

2024 Reunion Schedule

2024 Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family Reunion Children’s Book

Helping Hands – It’s What We Do

The reunion logo represents Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith’s family tree. The leaves, shaped like hands and in seven colors, represent the seven children with posterity on the earth today. Listed in birth order – Hyrum, Joseph Jr., Samuel, William, Katharine, Don Carlos, and Lucy. All the hands represent us today.

The t-shirt will only be on sale a short time. July 8th is the last day to order t-shirts. Here is the link to order t-shirts.

You will need to pick up your shirts. Mailing the shirts will not be available. No orders will be taken at the reunion.

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.”

The Smith Family service project is raising awareness of food insecurity in Utah and donations will go to the Utah Food Bank. Our hope is to follow the counsel to “look to the poor and the needy, and administer to their relief” – Doctrine and Covenants 38:35 . Donate for the Service Project Here.

If you have already registered for the reunion but would like t-shirts, please go back to the Reunion Registration page and order there.

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.”

Come join together with cousins connecting generations, renewing and growing memories together.

Smith Family Helping Hands – It’s What We Do

August 1-4, 2024 the Smith Family is holding the Bi-Annual Reunion in Salt Lake City, UT.

Social Hall Meetinghouse by Intellectual Reserve.

On Thursday, August 1, 2024, the registration and the traditional “Meet and Greet” will take place at a unique chapel on Social Hall Avenue in Salt Lake City. You must register for the reunion to receive nametags, which must be picked up on Thursday to use throughout the reunion. New findings from the research on the Joseph Smith Daguerreotype will be presented, and the Smith Family 2024 scholarship winners will also be announced.

Thursday, August 1 Smith Family Meet and Greet
110 East Social Hall Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT
5:00 – 6:30 pmRegistration
7:00 – 8:30 pmGreeting Meeting
Church History Museum

On Friday, August 2, 2024, the family will gather at the Church History Museum at 9:00 a.m. for a private viewing hour before the general public. This is a great opportunity to see Smith Family memorabilia from this interactive “The Heavens Are Opened” exhibit.

Friday, August 2, Smith Family Memorabilia Tour
Church History Museum
45 North West Temple Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
9:00 – 10:00 amPrivate Tours for the Smith Family
Church History Library

The Church History Library will have selected Smith Family documents pulled from the archives specifically for our family to view. To maintain the proper environment for these papers, we will view them in groups of thirty people at a time.

Friday, August 2 Smith Family Memorabilia Tour
Church History Library
15 E North Temple Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
30-minute intervalsPrivate Tours for the Smith Family
Registered attendees will be sent a link for sign-ups.
Photo of Brad Wilcox speaking at the Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family Reunion Devotional, Conference Center Little Theater, 2018

Friday night, our family will enjoy a devotional with a speaker who is back by popular request, Brad Wilcox. This meeting will also be held at the Social Hall Meetinghouse.

Friday, August 2 Smith Family Meet and Greet
110 East Social Hall Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT
7:00 – 8:30 pmSmith Family Devotional

Saturday, August 3, 2024, The Smith Family service project is raising awareness of food insecurity in Utah, and donations will go to the Utah Food Bank. Our hope is to follow the counsel to “look to the poor and the needy, and administer to their relief…” – Doctrine and Covenants 38:35. During the service project, our family will have a competition and divide into groups to build creative structures. Standing shoulder to shoulder, we will load the donation items into the Utah Food Bank truck. Our family photo will be taken in the bleachers, and we will eat lunch in the cafeteria.

Saturday, August 3 West High School
241 N 300 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
10:00 am –
4:00 pm
Smith Family Activities, Service Project, Luncheon, and Social
Photo credit: https://west.slcschools.org/

Sunday, August 4, 2024, we will attend the Music and the Spoken Word with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

Sunday, August 4 Conference Center 60 North Temple Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
9:00 am –
10:00 am
Meet 30 minutes before the 9:30 program

Reunion Registration is now open: Registration Link.

See What Family Can Do Together

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.

2022 Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Reunion

50th Golden Anniversary in Nauvoo, Illinois

2022 Smith Reunion Family Photo at the Smith Cemetery in Nauvoo at the beginning of the World’s Largest .005K Event
Smith Family World’s Largest .005K Event
Smith Family .005K Event
World’s Largest .005K Finish at the Mansion House in Nauvoo – 2022
Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Reunion Golden Anniversary Foil Wrapped Chocolate Coin Medals

Reunion Links

2022 Smith Reunion Final Program

2022 Online Reunion Program

iDig Nauvoo Reunion Report

Thursday, August 4 – Registration – Meet and Greet

Thursday Recaps

Thursday Night Video

Buddy Youngreen Presentation

Song written by David Hyrum Smith, Let Us Pray For One Another

Friday, August 5 – Events

Service Project Report

Smith Family Gardens Phase One – Video

Friday Morning Family Gathering

Friday Morning Video

Gary & Elizabeth Smith’s Tribute to Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith

Cemetery Memorial

Cemetery Flowers Video

Family Barbeque

Saturday, August 6 – Events

Family Photos and World’s Largest .005K Event

Saturday Family Gathering Report

Saturday Night Meeting Video

Reunion Recap Video

So Much To Be Grateful For

By Joy Ercanbrack

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.”

Smith Family Memorial Events

Topsfield, MA — May 13, 14 & 15, 2002

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.

Topsfield Smith Memorial Report

Smith Memorial Article by BYU

Smith Memorial Program

Congregational Church Sunday Program – Including Smith Family

Smith Family Lilac Story

We Are Stronger Together

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.”

https://archive.org/details/Ensign_Magazine-2005-12
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