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The Joseph Smith Jr., Family Organization was founded in 1985, by descendants who believe Joseph Smith is an ancestor worthy of recognition by his family and the world. Coming from different backgrounds, we had become aware that, due to many causes, the various branches of this family had been scattered and disconnected. Our goal is to find the descendants, to discover common ground, and try to rebuild bonds of family relationship. While all family members may not share the same denominational ideologies, there is a great deal of common ground upon which we can unite for fellowship and the strengthening of our families through the example of courage, mutual concern and family solidarity, of our Smith ancestors. We are strongly committed to the principle that through coming to know and understand our common heritage, this, and future generations of our great family may build bonds of mutual respect and love; that fears and prejudices that have divided us in the past may be dissolved. The prophet Joseph was told in a revelation given in 1841: "And as I said unto Abraham concerning the kindred’s of the earth, even so I say unto my servant Joseph: In thee and in thy seed shall the kindred of the earth be blessed." In the Kirtland temple Joseph prayed: "Have mercy O Lord, upon his wife and children, that they may be exalted in thy presence, and preserved by thy fostering hand. Have mercy upon all their immediate connections; that their prejudices may be broken up as with a flood. . ." At the time this prayer was given, 1836, his children were young; his wife Emma’s relatives were very prejudiced against the restored gospel he was promoting. Now, in later years, the prophet's prayer takes on a far-reaching aspect, as we realize that his own family has become divided by many factors, with fear and prejudice sometimes preventing our being unified in this generation, even in bonds of family relationship. Our purpose is not to force anyone to believe or accept anything they choose not to; but we seek to provide true information about Joseph Smith, his life, mission, his message, so that choices made for or against him may be weighed upon fact, not myth. Michael A. Kennedy (President) mkennedy@xmission.com Ivor Jones – Vice President (gijones@infowest.com) Gracia Jones – Historian (gijones@infowest.com) Darcy Kennedy – Secretary – (darcy_84004@yahoo.com)
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