Sunday, February 5, 2012

Prophets run in the family

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.

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.

7 comments:

josh said...

EQ instruction is a great calling - that's one of Josh's callings right now! Be sure to read the introduction about GAS it's really interesting. (Cali)

Shelley said...

Thanks for doing this. I teach this same lesson also.

Samuel R said...

Glad it helped! Cali thanks for the tip, I'm going to read his life story now.

Red said...

Where are your ideas for this week's lesson?!?! I'm struggling with finding a direction to go with GAS's teaching of "our Testimony of Jesus Christ". I guess this is what I get when I leave it to the last minute. (Right now it's 12.5 hours until lesson time)

Samuel R said...

Sorry red! To be honest I dont know since I am not teaching until next week and I haven't even read the lesson for this week (I know I Should have)? Good luck!

Frank said...

Thank you for that excellent family tree. I'm going to give that class next Sunday here in Ellwangen, Germany and I have been looking for exactly this kind of visual aid. I hope there is no copyight on it for Church use.
Nice family photo
Yours, Frank

Samuel R said...

Frank, glad you found it useful! Let me know any great insights about the lesson :)