This post is an article written for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints August 1992 Ensign publishing. It was written by Gracia Jones, the Chief Historian for the Joseph Smith Jr and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society. It’s being republished as the content about our grandmother Emma is just as relevant today with […]
There has been much interest in learning the heritage of Joseph Smith, Jr. since his founding of the Church of Jesus Christ. Audentia Smith Anderson, Joseph Smith’s granddaughter, was the first genealogist in Joseph’s family to document his lineage and published a book of that lineage listing all ancestors back to their immigrant status to […]
Though life was difficult for Joseph and Emma, they loved and supported each other through their letters. During the 17 years of their marriage, Joseph and Emma Smith endured many hardships. Joseph traveled extensively for the Church and was often obliged to find safety among friends to avoid angry mobs or numerous legal harassments. While […]
Preview She was a name in our family database, but nobody knew much about her. Family tradition said her mother and step-father took her to Chicago where she grew up and became a professional nurse. It was rumored that she had been baptized into the LDS Church[i]; it was also rumored that she had joined […]
The Joseph Smith Jr. and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society (JSEHS) is a non-profit organization led by descendants of Joseph and Emma Smith. Our mission is to promote deeper understanding of their lives, teachings, and enduring legacy. For generations, people have drawn inspiration from Joseph and Emma’s courage, faith, and vision. Their story continues to […]
How Joseph Smith Got His Horse, “Joe Duncan” The issue of Joseph getting the horse he called “Joe Duncan” is not in question, but how he got it and from whom is in question. From the Sanders family there is strong testimony that it was Moses Martin Sanders who gave him the horse. What do […]
Emma crossing the Mississippi in the middle of winter We honor Emma as the first president of the Relief Society—an Elect Lady—Mother in Israel. These titles were given her by the Lord and carry a peculiar meaning for a peculiar people. Her mission was unique and her sacrifice unparalleled. She labored in the heat of […]
Tunbridge is known for covered bridges still standing and used.Joseph Smith was born in Sharon, Vermont but the history of the Smith family in Vermont has been much earlier than that. Tunbridge is also the ancestral homeland to Brigham Young and many other of the early leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter […]
Joseph Smith In a remarkably concrete version of preparing for the brighter day, Joseph Smith had told the early Saints to build cities. The way to bring in the millennial reign was to gather people into cities of Zion. He even provided a plat with block layouts and instructions for farmers to live in towns […]
Darcy Kennedy Towards the end of 2004 our stake president, Conrad Gottfredson, came to our home to visit. My husband, Michael Kennedy, Sr., and I [Darcy] knew our stake president was a very inspired man and heard how he would call someone or visit with them in their home, day or night following promptings that […]
