How to Order Reunion Shirts – Shirt order deadline is Tuesday, June 30, 2026 and only available to pick up at the reunion.
Joseph Smith Sr. stood in the meeting of consecrations (held in Old Orange, located about fifteen miles south of Kirtland) and declared, “that he had nothing to consecrate to the Lord of the things of the Earth, yet he felt to consecrate himself and family.” He said that he ”Was thankful that God had given him a place among his saints, (and) felt willing to labor for their good.”
In the same meeting, Hyrum Smith said that “all he had was the Lord’s and he was ready to do his will continually.”
Samuel Smith added “that ever since he had set out to serve the Lord, not to regard the favor of man but the favor of Heaven.”
REFERENCE: JS KIRTLAND by KARL ANDERSON pp. 101-102, 146-47, 227-28
There is sweet symbolism in our reunion logo, which I would like to write in more detail, but here are my initial thoughts.
ROPE – Joseph Smith Sr. saw in vision a rope running along a path to a beautiful tree featuring white fruit. Gathering his family at the tree he wrote, “we were exceedingly happy, insomuch that our joy could not be easily expressed.”
We have used the rope to represent our reunion tagline of tied together in love. The rope is a visual representation of how we are bound eternally through our relationship to Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack. Several scriptures use this imagery too.
Mosiah 18:21 (Book of Mormon): Commands that people should have their hearts knit together in unity and love one towards another.
Colossians 2:2 (NKJV/KJV/NASB): “That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding… woven into a tapestry of love”.
HEART SHAPE KNOT – love, affection, or friendship, it represents is eternal.
LILACS – are a beloved family flower. There are four blossoms from tiny to large representing four generations. The family structure from baby/child, parent, grandparent, and great-grandparent signifies a deep family history, and long-term legacy.
Four lilacs represent the four states Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack lived after the restoration of the gospel: New York, Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois.
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.
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.
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 pm
Registration
7:00 – 8:30 pm
Greeting 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 am
Private 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 intervals
Private 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 pm
Smith 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
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 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.”
