Hello Wonderful family. Holidays are over. I'm sure everyone enjoyed the beauty of the season and the wonderful celebration of Christ who taught us that Love is the "summum bonum" (isn't this a great word). Its out of this spirit that we love to share with each other stories of our wonderful ancestors. Truly the hearts of the children are turned to their fathers.
I wanted to share 10 fascinating facts about Grandpa Jesse you may have not been aware of.
1. That your Grandfather Jesse is the youngest 1st cousin to Joseph Smith. Because of that, you are also Joseph’s 1st cousin (a few times removed).
2. He was the 1st Stake President in the Eastern Arizona Stake and 2nd Stake President in Arizona behind my wife’s (Angie) Great Great Grandfather Lot Smith who was the first.
3. When 12 years of age, Grandpa Jesse records in his journal he saw the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum being brought back from Carthage Jail into Nauvoo.
4. We calculate Grandpa Jesse has around 50,000- 60,000 descendants as he had 5 wives and 44 children, all who stayed active in the church.
5. His original home is still standing in Parowan he built but left in 1878 and his last home in Snowflake Arizona was almost completed when he passed away in 1906. They are both beautiful and fascinating museums.
6. Remember the fire in Provo that almost burned down the Tabernacle, Grandpa Jesse attended General Conference there when it was a brand new bldg. He commented in his Journal, “much pleased with the design of the building”
7. He kept a meticulous Journal and is a fascinating study of early Church history.
8. His father Silas Sr. and 2 year older brother John, died as a result of Missouri Persecutions. Albeit indirectly, stress and deprivation took its toll on both of them. We almost lost Grandpa Jesse as well.
9. Joseph Smith gave Grandpa Jesse a Book of Mormon when he was age 7 in which was inscribed “To my friend and kinsman, Jesse Nathaniel Smith, Joseph Smith, March 1842”. Jesse speaks of this in 1905 General Conference and added humorous anecdotes about this experience. It was lost for about 60 years but was found recently.
10. A man was assigned to shoot Grandpa Jesse for political gain. His life was almost taken several times but the Lord preserved him for he had much to accomplish, part of this being YOU.
Do you have any favorite or interesting stories to share?
Your Cousin
Shaun
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