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Family News – September 27, 2015

http://josephsmithsr.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/9_27_15_EmailNews.pdf

The First Smith Family Podcast Is Here

A great time to sit and watch the Smith Family Podcast would be during family night or General Conference weekend.

Joseph Smith Sr. Family Association members along with Dr. LeRoy Wirthlin and his wife, Mary, at the Smith home in Norwich, Vermont. Left to right: Daniel & LuAnn Adams, Steve & Frances Orton, Mary & LeRoy Wirthlin, Rosemarie & Dan Larsen, Michael Kennedy, Joyce & Karl Anderson, Julie Maddox, and Laura & Don Blanchard. Picture by Elder Michael Lantz
Joseph Smith Sr. Family Association members along with Dr. LeRoy Wirthlin
and his wife, Mary, at the Smith home in Norwich, Vermont. Left to right:
Daniel & LuAnn Adams, Steve & Frances Orton, Mary & LeRoy Wirthlin,
Rosemarie & Dan Larsen, Michael Kennedy, Joyce & Karl Anderson, Julie
Maddox, and Laura & Don Blanchard. Picture by Elder Michael Lantz

Elder M. Russell Ballard and Wallace B. Smith, Co-Chairs of the Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family Association desire that the younger generation know the faith-promoting stories of their ancestors.

The Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Family Association presents this podcast to the family and ask you to watch this short ten-minute video during a family night to help build faith in the work of our ancestors and recognize the sacrifices and commitment that fill our heritage.

Share the podcasts with your friends. Use social media to promote these wonderful stories. Our family and friends need to see these messages of faith and determination.

raceJoseph Smith Miracle Scholarship

Since the last email newsletter, the Smith family’s efforts have been featured on the Church News and Events page of LDS.org.

Please encourage your friends and neighbors to view this article and others described below. It is our hope that this can be a perpetual scholarship. You can donate here:

donate-here

Our roots come from New England and what a wonderful way to promote Joseph’s name for good in New England.

To read more about this see the, Deseret News article written by Smith descendant, Julie Maddox.

Check out the Valley News report, Gift Honors Surgery That Saved Religious Leader’s Leg. The Geisel News Center issued a press release that explained, “Descendants of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, have created a scholarship at the Geisel School of Medicine to honor and give thanks for a pioneering surgery that Dartmouth’s Dr. Nathan Smith performed on young Joseph.” To read the full press release.

Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family
c/o Steve and Frances Orton
381 W 3700 N, Provo UT 84604
Phone: (801) 226‐6054 Fax: (801) 452‐6567
Email: ortonfrances@gmail.com
Website: http://josephsmithsr.org/

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Smith Family Connecticut Covenant

 

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Family News – September 19, 2015

http://josephsmithsr.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/9_19_15_EmailNews.pdf

You Made It Happen

The Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family Association awarded a $25,000 scholarship to the Geisel School of Medicine to honor the work of Dr. Nathan Smith and have Joseph’s name known for good on Friday, September 11, 2015.

scholarship_creation
Richard C. Peck, Director of Gift Planning and G. Dino Koff, Director of Financial Aid and Assistant Dean of Student Services at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth accept the check from Dan Larsen, Trustee, Steve and Frances Orton, Chairs of the Joseph Smith Sr. Family Association and Trustee, and Karl Anderson, Trustee and Executive Secretary for the Association. Picture by Angela Hughes.

Smiths travelled from surrounding areas to join in the celebrations and participate in a fireside. Students from Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth joined the Smith Family to hear about the work of Dr. Nathan Smith and the surgery performed on young Joseph Smith.

Dr. Wirthlin is an expert on Joseph’s leg surgery, Dr. Wirthlin explained that “the surgery was done in an unsterile environment, using unsterile instruments, and it worked.”

To read more about this see the Deseret News article written by Smith descendant, Julie Maddox. Check out the Valley News report, Gift Honors Surgery That Saved Religious Leader’s Leg.

The Geisel News Center issued a press release that explained, “Descendants of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, have created a scholarship at the Geisel School of Medicine to honor and give thanks for a pioneering surgery that Dartmouth’s Dr. Nathan Smith performed on young Joseph.” To read the full press release.

Smith Family Night Podcast

Our first Smith Family Podcast, The Connecticut Covenant, is still in production. Daniel Adams tells us about the Smith Family living in the Connecticut River Valley.

Daniel Adams sharing some stories from the Smith family for the upcoming podcast. Picture from Michael Lantz.
Daniel Adams sharing some stories from the Smith family for the upcoming podcast.
Picture from Michael Lantz.

He said, “In 1811, Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack moved to the Connecticut River Valley. They had all the world’s goods they needed, a good home, business and money. Within five years, they had lost everything—all their worldly goods. But what they gained in return was priceless; the sure knowledge that God had heard their prayers and had delivered them. They had been purified in the fire of affliction, and they knew that wherever they would go, He would be leading them.“

“And that is what a covenant really is. It is the price we pay to come to know our God. When we know with surety that He loves us, we are willing to do anything He requires, because suddenly the cares of this world are swallowed up in the hope and knowledge of a better one with Him.“

“That is what the Smith family gained in the Connecticut River Valley—a covenant so great that it would sustain them through the greater trials they would shortly have to face.”

Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family
c/o Steve and Frances Orton
381 W 3700 N, Provo UT 84604
Phone: (801) 226‐6054 Fax: (801) 452‐6567
Email: ortonfrances@gmail.com
Website: http://reunion.josephsmithsr.org/

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Family News – August 16, 2015

http://josephsmithsr.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/8_17_15_EmailNews.pdf

Help Celebrate the Success of Joseph’s Miracle Run

A Smith Family Fireside will be held on Friday, September 11, 2015, 7:00 pm at the Hanover & Lebanon New Hampshire Wards building, 667 Dartmouth College Highway, Lebanon, NH 03766‐2044. Dr. Wirthlin will be giving a presentation on the miracle of Joseph’s surgery and the leg saving work of Dr. Nathan Smith. Dr. LeRoy Wirthlin is a former professor at Harvard Medical School and later a practicing surgeon who researched Joseph’s leg operation and Dr. Nathan Smith and has published articles in BYU Studies and the Ensign magazines.

This is an opportunity to hear the story while in the area it took place. Please let us know if you are living in or travelling in this area and plan on attending this activity and respond to ortonfrances@gmail.com.

SpringMPS05-010-1024x682

The run was held on August 3, 2013 at This is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City, Utah. 1017 people attended and participated throughout the four days events.

 

Dr. Nathan Smith

Pictures below used with permission from Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

Dr_Nathan_Smith

Nathan Smith (1762‐1828), Founder of Dartmouth Medical School Credit: Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire; gift of Edmund Randolph Peaslee, Class of 1836

 

Nathan Smith_Dykstra_Dwaihy

Riding with Nathan Smith, 2004, Oil on Canvas, 72″ x 96″ by Sara Dykstra and Joseph Dwaihy (DMS ’06)

DSC_8526elderballard

Smith’s came from the following states to take part in the reunion and/or the race: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Family also came from Canada and as far away as Romania.

Longcopes_at_race

Dr. Nathan Smith descendants (Stephanie & Dr. David Longcope) participating in Joseph’s Miracle Run, August 3, 2013.

 

Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family
c/o Steve and Frances Orton
381 W 3700 N, Provo UT 84604
Phone: (801) 226‐6054 Fax: (801) 452‐6567
Email: ortonfrances@gmail.com
Website: http://reunion.josephsmithsr.org/

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William B. Smith: In the Shadow of a Prophet

William B. Smith: In the Shadow of a Prophet

By Kyle R. Walker

Book Description:

Younger brother of Joseph Smith, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Church Patriarch for a time, William Smith had tumultuous yet devoted relationships with Joseph, his fellow members of the Twelve, and the LDS and RLDS (Community of Christ) churches. Walker’s imposing biography examines not only William’s complex life in detail, but also sheds additional light on the family dynamics of Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith, as well as the turbulent intersections between the LDS and RLDS churches. William B. Smith: In the Shadow of a Prophet is a vital contribution to Mormon history in both the LDS and RLDS traditions.

Read a Q&A with the author here.

Listen to an interview with the author here.

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Walking in their Shoes

By Steve & Frances Orton and Joy Ercanbrack

“Walking in their Shoes” was designated as the theme for the 2014 Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family Reunion. The family gained a deeper respect for our ancestors who lived in the Independence, Missouri area as we toured Far West, Adam-ondi-Ahman, and the sacred Liberty Jail. We learned that God does not abandon us, just as he did not abandon Joseph and Hyrum when they were unjustly imprisoned in the Liberty Jail. Truth does prevail and the mercies of God will be revealed.

The opening meeting was held in the beautiful Community of Christ Stone Church on Thursday, July 31. Dan Larsen welcomed the family to the Kansas City area. Lach Mackay read a welcome letter to the family from Cousin Wallace B. Smith who was recovering from surgery. Steve and Frances Orton presented a history of past reunions and family events and discussed how this reunions activities would go. Reports were given by Bob Smith from Samuel’s family and the iDig project. Phillip Beem discussed the family website and passed on information from Michael Kennedy. Daniel Adams shared the hopes and interests of upcoming events the Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family Association are working on.

The highlight of the evening was hear the memories of Anina Mackay Luff as she reflected on the early reunions and said as she looked in the eyes of newly discovered cousins, she could see the eyes of her family. To end Thursday night’s meeting Joy Ercanbrack introduced our theme of “Walking in their Shoes” and then honored those family members who attended the 1973 Independence Reunion.

Continue reading “Walking in their Shoes”

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Walking in their Shoes

By Steve & Frances Orton and Joy Ercanbrack

We extend a heartfelt thank you to the many family members who went the extra mile to help make the 2014 Reunion such a great success! Please log on to the website to see pictures and read the full account of the reunion.

The family gained a deeper respect for our ancestors who lived in the Independence, Missouri area as we toured Far West, Adamondi-Ahman, and the sacred Liberty Jail. We learned that God does not abandon us, just as he did not abandon Joseph and Hyrum when they were unjustly imprisoned in the Liberty Jail. Truth does prevail and the mercies of God will be revealed.

The family met in the beautiful Community of Christ Stone Church and received gracious welcomes and family news, history, website, iDig info and news of upcoming events. Lach Mackay read a welcome letter to the family from Cousin Wallace B. Smith who was recovering from surgery.

Continue reading “Walking in their Shoes”

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Smith Family in the News and in Story

IDigNauvoo is in the news! Visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk9_EqEhFtQ

This year IdigNauvoo volunteers are working at both the Joseph Sr. Homestead and the Samuel H. Smith home site.

Significant events at the IdigNauvoo site include the restoration of the stone steps on the east side of the Joseph Smith Sr. homestead, discovery of an 1835 half dime, and a bone bead that is 2000 years old. Recent finds have led archaeologist Paul DeBarthe to question whether the Smith homestead could have been an 1805 trading post.

The Dig is looking for participants and volunteer host couples.Learn more about the iDigNauvoo archaeological project by visiting their website www.idignauvoo.legacyshare.org.

Watch lectures on Mary Fielding Smith and “Letters from Joseph F Smith to his Sister Martha Ann” at this online site:
history.lds.org/article/men-women-faith-2014-schedule

See Reunion.JosephSmithSr.org to read Lachlan Mackay’s Stories About Joseph III from the Reunion. See http://reunion.josephsmithsr.org

CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS OF OUR UPCOMING 21 SEPTEMBER 2015 WEBINAR
Joseph’s Miracle Run Scholarship Presentation to Dartmouth

Many Smith family members contributed to the Sons of the Utah Pioneer tribute to Hyrum Smith. Cost is $5 per magazine. To purchase, visit www.sup1847.com or call 801.484.4441.

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Joseph Smith Sr. Genealogical Website

http://www.josephsmithsr.com

Take advantage of the Joseph Smith Sr. Genealogical Website’s many features! It can help you & us keep accurate information and extend that information more readily to your family and extended family. It can also help those who are related to many of the  family’s thousands of ancestors.

This site contains Joseph Sr and Lucy Mack Smith’s ancestry and posterity and Emma Hale Smith’s ancestry and posterity. To view the posterity information of the living, you must be a direct descendant and register on the website. That information will then be available to you.

All family branches are connected into the same database which provides statistical information, biographies, media images, geo locations synchronized with google maps, world history timelines and much more.

Please login to check your family for accuracy and contact us for any errors. We would appreciate any submissions of family stories, pictures, histories, etc.

Clicking any of the buttons takes you directly to the genealogical information of that branch of the family:

  1. Joseph – ancestors of Joseph Smith Sr.
  2. Lucy – ancestors of Lucy Mack Smith
  3. Any of the children – descendants of that branch of the family

Be sure to register on the site to take advantage of all the genealogical features. There is no cost to use this site. The Joseph Smith Jr. and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society website is also interconnected with the genealogical information on this web site.

 

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Sacred Ground: The Smith Family Cemetery in Old Nauvoo, Part I

By Julie Maddox, Joseph Sr & Lucy Mack Smith Family Association Newsletter Editor

“The place where a man is buried is sacred to me.” Joseph Smith Jr.

I feel the full emotion of that statement, sitting here on the wooden bench in the Smith Family Cemetery in Nauvoo. Resting in the shade, I can see things just as Anina Luff has described them, and “watch white butterflies dance above the blue salvia,” especially picturesque at dusk as the sun sets on the Mississippi River.

Summer of 1991 found Anina MacKay Luff, great great-granddaughter of Joseph and Emma, and her son Lachlan MacKay, driving from Independence, MO, to the Family Cemetery at sunset. “The Mississippi River,” she said, “was mystical, beautiful.” Anina and her brother Daniel Larsen and their families were a significant part of preparations for the Aug. 4, 1991 formal cemetery dedication. They wanted a “beautiful serene place where people can sit and dream and ponder connections with loved ones passed on.” And each year since they have come to beautify and plant flowers in this sacred spot.

Continue reading “Sacred Ground: The Smith Family Cemetery in Old Nauvoo, Part I”