Dear Brother and Sister Proctor,
I was just recently impressed to pick up, yet again, the beautiful book you re-edited and published "The Revised and Enhanced History Of Joseph Smith by His Mother." I love this book and am looking forward to a third reading! A very dear and lifelong friend of mine and I were just discussing how very valuable this book is and how we both agreed that it is the most touching and honest look at the Prophet Joseph's life that we have ever read and that the study of it has enriched both of our lives. My friend has also read it multiple times and feels an especial affinity to some of the experiences of the Smith family as his own personal story has recently been published and received some very unexpected attention both positive and negative from many members of our faith. We have discussed how grateful we are that you both took the time to compile and make these inspiring stories, writings and personal accounts available to the world and wish God's choicest blessings upon you and yours.
Gratefully,
Shauna May Broderick
Shannon L. KanekoaAugust 12, 2013
Loved this article! Have heard Gracia Jones speak - what a testimony!
Am excited to keep going on my own family sealings!
Mahalo!
Terry AndersonAugust 11, 2013
A moving article. So glad this has come together
Teri NineAugust 11, 2013
Thank you for writing this article and posting it. As a direct descendant of Frederick G. Williams, one of the prophet's best friends, I am further inspired to further the cause of our own family's genealogy. We do, indeed, have a great heritage and we owe it to these pioneers of faith and time to live up to their teachings, their examples, their sacrifices, and their love. I hope we can all make them proud and help others come more fully unto Christ by doing so. Fabulous article! What joy the prophet Joseph must feel!
David R. ShortenAugust 10, 2013
Good article. I am of the understanding that the descendents of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young have bridged or attempted to bridge the discord that has divided them for so long. The article mentions a division and hard feelings but did not resolve the matter.
Perhaps some research and a story on this subject would be of interest.
Warren AstonAugust 10, 2013
THANK YOU! Maurine for a most significant article about events that most of us would never have known of otherwise. Reading the story about Joseph F Smith and Preston Nibley in particular certainly bridged the gap between Joseph and Hyrum's day and ours.
impressedAugust 10, 2013
What a wonderful article! I am so happy to hear of the gathering of the Smiths! Joseph and Hyrum must be so proud of their descendants! I hope the descendants of the splintered groups have their hearts softened.
Arlene BascomAugust 10, 2013
This was a very interesting article, but you didn't identify the people you mentioned in the article or label your pictures--and that disturbed me. I wanted to know who they were, and how they fit into the family.
Regina FaresinAugust 10, 2013
I feel for the family in Australia, that can't travel to the States for the reunion, because I am in Europe and can't travel to the States for my family's reunion this year! I am seeing family on this side of the ocean though;-) Are they going to start having an Australian reunion too? After all, 1/3 is quite enough on it's own!
Voin R. CampbellAugust 9, 2013
I was born into a family of descendents of LDS pioneers who loved and believed in Joseph Smith and the church he founded. It the age of 15, had an encounter with Joseph Smith in a dream that changed my heart and eventually the course of my life. I loved Joseph Smith then and I love him now. I think often of his descendents and pray for them to be restored to their rightful place in this great work of the Restoration of All Things pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God in these latter days. .
Patricia JohnsonAugust 9, 2013
As I read this article, I wept. What a joy to hear that they are seeking out their family. I have a friend Miriam, who is Hyrum's Great. Great, Granddaughter (I hope I have enough greats). Her father just die this spring, he was 106 and the church Patriarch. They are truly a jewel in Josephs family tree. Miriam is truly a lovely, good lady. This has inspired me to get busy and get my family together. When I was little my mother's and father's families would have reunions every summer. What great memories I still have from those experiences. I think knowing your Aunts, Uncles, and cousins was a wonderful way to grow up and see how they lived their lives and it was an inspiration to the young. Know we are so scattered and divided from each other. Thank you for this wonderful article. I don't usually respond like this but this pulled at my heart strings. Patricia Johnson
Diane KunkelAugust 9, 2013
Wonderful, wonderful article!
Gail Palmer HigginsAugust 9, 2013
My heart breaks for the sufferings of the Joseph Smith Jr. family, but rejoices in their gathering and in the efforts made by so many to bring them together and to the truth. My love to Gracia and Ivor Jones and to the Hyrum Smith family. I am a descendant of Silas Smith, brother of Joseph Smith Sr.
TimothyAugust 9, 2013
Wow. What a wonderful article. I am just impressed with the binding that can occur between families. The Smith family is not so different from your family or my family. Greatness flows in our blood as we accept and further the work of the Lord, Jesus Christ. The turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers is not limited to any one family. It is a promise to us all.
GREAT ARTICLE.
Dorthea KendallAugust 9, 2013
I have been following the activities of this family ever since I read the first article by Gracia Jones about her great-great-grandmother, Emma Smith; then learned about Michael and Darcie Kennedy's meeting and efforts to bring the Smith family together. What an example they are to all of us to gather our ancestors together.
Erick SotoAugust 9, 2013
Publish more of these stories.
ErikaAugust 9, 2013
Everytime I read or hear the story, it brings tears to my eyes. I am sure that the prophet rejoices in seeing his family coming closer together all the time. Joseph has given the world something to live by and for and whoever wants to find the truth, can have a testimony about the restoration.
I had some very sacred experiences and witnessing by the Spirit about the gospel and I will always be thankful to this prophet of the restoration and for everything his family did to stand by him.
Erika, TX
DuellaAugust 9, 2013
OK, so I cried! What a great article! I have followed this for years and love the updates! I often have tried to research the Smith siblings on the internet...great news! I love it!
TeresaAugust 9, 2013
Thank you so much for this article. Here lately I have been wondering about Joseph Smith's family and what had become of them. This is so timely for me! I loved reading about this remarkable family.
Wade W. FillmoreAugust 9, 2013
Hi Maureen,
What great work you and Scot are doing. This is a great article. Yo write so well. I have one suggestion.
Wouldn't it be more accurate to write, "Joseph Smith III was invited become the president ot the RDLS Church and he accepted," instead of "He formed a church?"
Best wishes, Wade
rex loweAugust 9, 2013
To the Proctors...........Thanks so much for publishing this very interesting and moving account of Joseph Smith's family and descendants. Here in SAfrica we don't hear much about "Our heritage"as members of the Church, and I personally regard this account as important because it has strengthened my testimony of Joseph. and Hyrum.
Please continue with the marvellous work you are doing,
love and best wishes, rex
Emma FanAugust 9, 2013
Thanks for your coverage of the family reunion.
As a life long member of Community of Christ (5th generation), I'd like to clarify that we have not "distanced" ourselves from the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith is the founding prophet of our church and is held in that regard. The Book of Mormon is one of our books of scripture just as the Bible and Doctrine and Covenants are as well.
Susan BluntAugust 9, 2013
Maurine and Scot,
Greetings, dear friends! This is a beautifully written, moving article--as well as informative. Thank you so much, and congratulations on the many years and contributions of Meridian.
Love,
Sue Blunt
Ann RichardsonAugust 9, 2013
I wept as I read this article. What a wonderful blessing it is for all of us to know our history. And perhaps even more so for the Smith family as many have lost the knowledge of the Restoration. I feel that knowing our ancestors helps us to look to their example and gives us greater abilty to endure well the trials that come into our own lives.
Donald ParryAugust 9, 2013
This is a brilliantly written article and extremely inspiring! Thank you for sharing it.
MarieAugust 9, 2013
I loved this story. How beautiful!
Flora SchallerAugust 9, 2013
This brings tears of gratitude for all that Joseph and Emma have done for the restoration of the Gospel. I am so glad for their family and am so happy that many now have a testimony of their work.
Comments | Return to Story
Shauna May BroderickFebruary 19, 2014
Dear Brother and Sister Proctor, I was just recently impressed to pick up, yet again, the beautiful book you re-edited and published "The Revised and Enhanced History Of Joseph Smith by His Mother." I love this book and am looking forward to a third reading! A very dear and lifelong friend of mine and I were just discussing how very valuable this book is and how we both agreed that it is the most touching and honest look at the Prophet Joseph's life that we have ever read and that the study of it has enriched both of our lives. My friend has also read it multiple times and feels an especial affinity to some of the experiences of the Smith family as his own personal story has recently been published and received some very unexpected attention both positive and negative from many members of our faith. We have discussed how grateful we are that you both took the time to compile and make these inspiring stories, writings and personal accounts available to the world and wish God's choicest blessings upon you and yours. Gratefully, Shauna May Broderick
Shannon L. KanekoaAugust 12, 2013
Loved this article! Have heard Gracia Jones speak - what a testimony! Am excited to keep going on my own family sealings! Mahalo!
Terry AndersonAugust 11, 2013
A moving article. So glad this has come together
Teri NineAugust 11, 2013
Thank you for writing this article and posting it. As a direct descendant of Frederick G. Williams, one of the prophet's best friends, I am further inspired to further the cause of our own family's genealogy. We do, indeed, have a great heritage and we owe it to these pioneers of faith and time to live up to their teachings, their examples, their sacrifices, and their love. I hope we can all make them proud and help others come more fully unto Christ by doing so. Fabulous article! What joy the prophet Joseph must feel!
David R. ShortenAugust 10, 2013
Good article. I am of the understanding that the descendents of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young have bridged or attempted to bridge the discord that has divided them for so long. The article mentions a division and hard feelings but did not resolve the matter. Perhaps some research and a story on this subject would be of interest.
Warren AstonAugust 10, 2013
THANK YOU! Maurine for a most significant article about events that most of us would never have known of otherwise. Reading the story about Joseph F Smith and Preston Nibley in particular certainly bridged the gap between Joseph and Hyrum's day and ours.
impressedAugust 10, 2013
What a wonderful article! I am so happy to hear of the gathering of the Smiths! Joseph and Hyrum must be so proud of their descendants! I hope the descendants of the splintered groups have their hearts softened.
Arlene BascomAugust 10, 2013
This was a very interesting article, but you didn't identify the people you mentioned in the article or label your pictures--and that disturbed me. I wanted to know who they were, and how they fit into the family.
Regina FaresinAugust 10, 2013
I feel for the family in Australia, that can't travel to the States for the reunion, because I am in Europe and can't travel to the States for my family's reunion this year! I am seeing family on this side of the ocean though;-) Are they going to start having an Australian reunion too? After all, 1/3 is quite enough on it's own!
Voin R. CampbellAugust 9, 2013
I was born into a family of descendents of LDS pioneers who loved and believed in Joseph Smith and the church he founded. It the age of 15, had an encounter with Joseph Smith in a dream that changed my heart and eventually the course of my life. I loved Joseph Smith then and I love him now. I think often of his descendents and pray for them to be restored to their rightful place in this great work of the Restoration of All Things pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God in these latter days. .
Patricia JohnsonAugust 9, 2013
As I read this article, I wept. What a joy to hear that they are seeking out their family. I have a friend Miriam, who is Hyrum's Great. Great, Granddaughter (I hope I have enough greats). Her father just die this spring, he was 106 and the church Patriarch. They are truly a jewel in Josephs family tree. Miriam is truly a lovely, good lady. This has inspired me to get busy and get my family together. When I was little my mother's and father's families would have reunions every summer. What great memories I still have from those experiences. I think knowing your Aunts, Uncles, and cousins was a wonderful way to grow up and see how they lived their lives and it was an inspiration to the young. Know we are so scattered and divided from each other. Thank you for this wonderful article. I don't usually respond like this but this pulled at my heart strings. Patricia Johnson
Diane KunkelAugust 9, 2013
Wonderful, wonderful article!
Gail Palmer HigginsAugust 9, 2013
My heart breaks for the sufferings of the Joseph Smith Jr. family, but rejoices in their gathering and in the efforts made by so many to bring them together and to the truth. My love to Gracia and Ivor Jones and to the Hyrum Smith family. I am a descendant of Silas Smith, brother of Joseph Smith Sr.
TimothyAugust 9, 2013
Wow. What a wonderful article. I am just impressed with the binding that can occur between families. The Smith family is not so different from your family or my family. Greatness flows in our blood as we accept and further the work of the Lord, Jesus Christ. The turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers is not limited to any one family. It is a promise to us all. GREAT ARTICLE.
Dorthea KendallAugust 9, 2013
I have been following the activities of this family ever since I read the first article by Gracia Jones about her great-great-grandmother, Emma Smith; then learned about Michael and Darcie Kennedy's meeting and efforts to bring the Smith family together. What an example they are to all of us to gather our ancestors together.
Erick SotoAugust 9, 2013
Publish more of these stories.
ErikaAugust 9, 2013
Everytime I read or hear the story, it brings tears to my eyes. I am sure that the prophet rejoices in seeing his family coming closer together all the time. Joseph has given the world something to live by and for and whoever wants to find the truth, can have a testimony about the restoration. I had some very sacred experiences and witnessing by the Spirit about the gospel and I will always be thankful to this prophet of the restoration and for everything his family did to stand by him. Erika, TX
DuellaAugust 9, 2013
OK, so I cried! What a great article! I have followed this for years and love the updates! I often have tried to research the Smith siblings on the internet...great news! I love it!
TeresaAugust 9, 2013
Thank you so much for this article. Here lately I have been wondering about Joseph Smith's family and what had become of them. This is so timely for me! I loved reading about this remarkable family.
Wade W. FillmoreAugust 9, 2013
Hi Maureen, What great work you and Scot are doing. This is a great article. Yo write so well. I have one suggestion. Wouldn't it be more accurate to write, "Joseph Smith III was invited become the president ot the RDLS Church and he accepted," instead of "He formed a church?" Best wishes, Wade
rex loweAugust 9, 2013
To the Proctors...........Thanks so much for publishing this very interesting and moving account of Joseph Smith's family and descendants. Here in SAfrica we don't hear much about "Our heritage"as members of the Church, and I personally regard this account as important because it has strengthened my testimony of Joseph. and Hyrum. Please continue with the marvellous work you are doing, love and best wishes, rex
Emma FanAugust 9, 2013
Thanks for your coverage of the family reunion. As a life long member of Community of Christ (5th generation), I'd like to clarify that we have not "distanced" ourselves from the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith is the founding prophet of our church and is held in that regard. The Book of Mormon is one of our books of scripture just as the Bible and Doctrine and Covenants are as well.
Susan BluntAugust 9, 2013
Maurine and Scot, Greetings, dear friends! This is a beautifully written, moving article--as well as informative. Thank you so much, and congratulations on the many years and contributions of Meridian. Love, Sue Blunt
Ann RichardsonAugust 9, 2013
I wept as I read this article. What a wonderful blessing it is for all of us to know our history. And perhaps even more so for the Smith family as many have lost the knowledge of the Restoration. I feel that knowing our ancestors helps us to look to their example and gives us greater abilty to endure well the trials that come into our own lives.
Donald ParryAugust 9, 2013
This is a brilliantly written article and extremely inspiring! Thank you for sharing it.
MarieAugust 9, 2013
I loved this story. How beautiful!
Flora SchallerAugust 9, 2013
This brings tears of gratitude for all that Joseph and Emma have done for the restoration of the Gospel. I am so glad for their family and am so happy that many now have a testimony of their work.
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