Dedicatory Prayer for Gathering of Joseph and Emma’s Posterity

Written by Michael A. KennedyCreated: 18 October 2025

Many readers are familiar with the profound trials Joseph and Emma Smith’s family faced during the early days of the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their sacrifices were not incidental — they were part of a divine calling.

I believe that as Joseph Smith was foreordained to lead this final dispensation, he and Emma were made fully aware — by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ — of the cost that would come with accepting such a sacred role in the Plan of Salvation. Their willingness to bear that burden speaks to their deep faith and eternal perspective.

Just as there was a cost, I believe there is also a divine plan to restore and gather the posterity of Joseph and Emma. While the details of that plan may not be fully known, its unfolding is evident today. Like any inspired mission, this one began with a dedicatory prayer.

During the Bicentennial Celebration of Joseph Smith’s birth in 2005, President Gordon B. Hinckley invited the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to open the event with prayer — a fitting beginning to a renewed effort to honor and gather the legacy of Joseph and Emma:

“Our Father in Heaven, on this sacred occasion we thank thee for the privilege of being here and doing honor to Joseph Smith the prophet of the restoration. Thy son, the risen lord appeared to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple and the Lord whom we worship told Joseph Smith whom we revere, “I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain. I am your advocate with the Father. I have accepted this house, and the fame of this house will spread to foreign lands, and this is the beginning of blessings that shall be poured out.”

The name, Joseph Smith, it was prophesied, would be known throughout the world. In testimony of that, this commemoration will be heard in 81 languages in 61 countries.

We remember, as well, in this commemoration of Joseph Smith the Prophet, his wife, Emma Hale Smith, elect lady, his sweetheart, wife, and mother of his children. We pray that her memory will likewise be blessed. When the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred, six of 11 children had already been buried, and four and a half months later, David Hyrum was born. We pray now that their descendants can be gathered in, brought within the power and inspiration and covenant of baptism, to participate in those sacred ordinances that were revealed to us and to the world by the prophet Joseph Smith. We pray Thy blessings upon this commemoration, that the spirit of it will be felt across the world. We pray that Thou wilt empower President Gordon B. Hinckley, Prophet Seer and Revelator, successor to the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the others who will participate, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”

At the closing of the celebration, the closing prayer was offered by the 4th great grandson of the Prophet Joseph Smith:

“Our Heavenly Father, we are grateful for having had this opportunity to come and celebrate the birth of the great prophet Joseph Smith. We are grateful for Thy Son and the great love and mercy He has shown towards us, that we might repent and return to Thee.

We are grateful for the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the gospel which he restored that has taught of these great truths. Father, we pray that we might learn and grow from these teachings, and learn from the Prophet’s example, and make our lives better accordingly.

At the death of the prophet, he had claim to only one of his sons, and even now his descendants, struggle. We pray that Thou wilt give a special blessing to his descendants that the prophet might have claim to his children once more.

We are grateful for our current and living prophets and their counseling and teachings. We pray that we might learn and adhere to them with exactness and honor, that we might go forth, and teach those around us, and help our families grow strong. We pray for these things humbly, Father, in the name of Thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Amen”

Joseph Smith’s posterity is being gathered because of the blessings offered through the ordinances administered in the temples.