I just got called to be an instructor in the Elders Quorum, and I'm teaching in 2 weeks. The manual this year is The Teachings of George Albert Smith, and the lesson is about Joseph Smith. This got me wondering what the relationship between the two was, so I decided to look it up. While I was at it, I looked up other confusing figures such as Joseph F Smith and Joseph Fielding Smith. I think the following family tree is pretty illuminating.
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| Some of the more well-known church leaders are highlighted in this family tree, such as the Joseph Smiths and George Albert Smith. John H Smith, George A Smith, and John Smith all served in the first presidency of the church. |
EDIT:
I've thought some more about what to teach this Sunday. Looking at the details a bit closer, I realized that George A Smith has a pretty striking lineage.
John Smith served as a first counselor in the first presidency with Joseph Smith. George A Smith served as an apostle and was in the first presidency. John H Smith served as an apostle and served in the first presidency. Thus, George Albert Smith's dad, grandpa, and great grandpa all served in the first presidency of the church. That's 4 generations of family that served in the first presidency of the church!
Although this could obviously indicate nepotism, I think I will rather point both the blessings that come from faithful ancestors and the blessings that will come to our posterity if we are faithful.
