The Irish Mormon prophet

By Michael De GrooteMormon Times

When people think of St. Patrick's Day and famous Irishmen they probably don't think about Joseph Smith Jr.

But they should.

As reported in the Deseret News and on MormonTimes.com last August, Ugo Perego, director of operations at the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation discovered a rare DNA marker in descendants of Joseph Smith. This marker establishes that the Smith family line came from Ireland.

Genealogists had been able to trace the Smiths to a Robert Smith who arrived in the United States in 1638 from England. Some assumptions were made about where he came from and guesses were made, but no hard evidence existed that enabled reliable tracing to go any further.

Enter DNA.

Perego thought it would be an easy task to match the well-established DNA signature of the Joseph Smith family with other Smiths in England.

It wasn't.

The Smith's DNA was not like any Smith in England that Perego could find.

Perego began DNA detective work -- trying to find a close match. After narrowing his search he discovered that the Smith family DNA matched very closely with the many descendants of "Niall of the Nine Hostages," a fifth-century Irish warlord who was the ancestor of the kings of Ireland up to the 10th century. Joseph Smith's ancestors along his paternal line were not just Irish, but probably related to Irish royalty.

Perego speculated that the Smiths had to be relatively new to England when Robert Smith came to America, otherwise there should have been DNA matches in England. He thinks that Robert's family came from Ireland and changed their last name to fit in and avoid anti-Irish sentiments. They chose the most common of English names.

If the family had not changed their name, it is possible that the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could have been named "Joseph O'Malley" or "Joseph Flannigan."

Perego's study only applies to the Smith line -- the descent from father to son and so forth. Joseph Smith, of course, had many ancestors who were not along the Smith line (his mother for instance).

So how are Joseph's descendants receiving this news?

Michael Kennedy, the President of the Joseph Smith Jr. Family Organization and of the Joseph Smith Jr. and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society, said that most members of the family probably don't know about the study yet, but they will announce it at the next reunion. "I thought we were Scottish," he said.

Read the article about the discovery from August, 2008.

E-mail: mdegroote@desnews.com

MormonTimes.com is produced by the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, Utah.
It is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Copyright © 2009 Deseret News Publishing Company


From Ann: That's so interesting!  Someday when we meet all of our ancestors it will be a great day of enlightenment!  I'm looking forward to it!

 

      Best, Ann

The Irish Mormon Prophet and Comments from Ann Olsen

The Irish Mormon prophet
By Michael De Groote
Mormon Times

When people think of St. Patrick's Day and famous Irishmen they probably don't think about Joseph Smith Jr.

But they should.

As reported in the Deseret News and on MormonTimes.com last August, Ugo Perego, director of operations at the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation discovered a rare DNA marker in descendants of Joseph Smith. This marker establishes that the Smith family line came from Ireland.

Genealogists had been able to trace the Smiths to a Robert Smith who arrived in the United States in 1638 from England. Some assumptions were made about where he came from and guesses were made, but no hard evidence existed that enabled reliable tracing to go any further.

Enter DNA.

 Perego thought it would be an easy task to match the well-established DNA signature of the Joseph Smith family with other Smiths in England.

It wasn't.

The Smith's DNA was not like any Smith in England that Perego could find.

Perego began DNA detective work -- trying to find a close match. After narrowing his search he discovered that the Smith family DNA matched very closely with the many descendants of "Niall of the Nine Hostages," a fifth-century Irish warlord who was the ancestor of the kings of Ireland up to the 10th century. Joseph Smith's ancestors along his paternal line were not just Irish, but probably related to Irish royalty.

Perego speculated that the Smiths had to be relatively new to England when Robert Smith came to America, otherwise there should have been DNA matches in England. He thinks that Robert's family came from Ireland and changed their last name to fit in and avoid anti-Irish sentiments. They chose the most common of English names.

If the family had not changed their name, it is possible that the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could have been named "Joseph O'Malley" or "Joseph Flannigan."

 Perego's study only applies to the Smith line -- the descent from father to son and so forth. Joseph Smith, of course, had many ancestors who were not along the Smith line (his mother for instance).

So how are Joseph's descendants receiving this news?

 Michael Kennedy, the President of the Joseph Smith Jr. Family Organization and of the Joseph Smith Jr. and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society, said that most members of the family probably don't know about the study yet, but they will announce it at the next reunion. "I thought we were Scottish," he said.

E-mail: mdegroote@desnews.com

MormonTimes.com is produced by the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Copyright © 2009 Deseret News Publishing Company


 Ann Olsen wrote: That's so interesting! Someday when we meet all of our ancestors it will be a great day of enlightenment! I'm looking forward to it!
 Best,
Ann


Myrna wrote: Well, I am looking forward to it but not too SOON! Of course, if they want to appear to me while I am still alive that will be OK. I just am excited about this life still and want to see how it turns out at the end. However, I think that it may be like a soap opera, it has no end, just the next chapter or, in the case of TV, the next episode. M


Ann Olsen wrote: I agree -- I'm not looking forward to it right away because living with our precious families on this beautiful earth, walking the Pathway of Happiness with the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, and being led by the prophets of God brings so much joy to our hearts.  We live in the best of times for us.  Our ward families are loving, kind, and compassionate.  I feel the same love and unity whenever I visit my children's wards.  There is an increase in spirituality in our ward families.

Unfortunately, -- everyday my heart aches because there are so many sad, disheartening, and horrible decisions being made by our elected leaders.  Our tax dollars will now be used throughout the United States, Mexico, and other countries to abort and kill innocent babies!  Life support is being withheld from babies who have survived botched abortions.  Where is the integrity, character, respect for life of such leaders?  Long ago I promised myself that I would never vote for any candidate who was for abortion on demand.

 I never thought I would see the day in this great land of liberty when a simple vote by our senators and congressmen or a stroke of a pen would take our freedoms away one by one.  Families of faith are being threatened and persecuted.  In public schools, our young children and grandchildren are being taught to "embrace diversity, to accept and respect alternative lifestyles" as normal.  A governor and an attorney general are urging judges to overturn the vote of the people regarding the Marriage Propositions that were passed.  Our senators & congressmen approve bills that they have not even read!  Now we and our children and grandchildren are saddled with tremendous debt. Our taxation will most assuredly be greatly increased.  And on and on it goes.

However, I know that the work of the Lord is going forth throughout the world.  The Savior is our Perfect Example.  The prophets of God "waded through their afflictions" yet were true and faithful.  A great legacy of faith has been passed to us by our pioneer ancestors.  We are being blessed so abundantly day by day.  I

I believe we can and will stand immovable in doing the right and good things we know are so important to do.  We are gathering our children and grandchildren around us and teaching them not to be afraid.  We are working day by day to strengthen our faith, our families, our wards and stakes.  I believe we can and will faithfully endure each trial and challenge that comes.

What a great blessing it is to have dear, faithful friends who strengthen us, love us, comfort us, and stand strong with us!  We are all in this together!  We have the Right plan, the great Plan of Happiness!

     Much love to you and yours,

               Ann
   

Meanderings

Just so you all know, if you look at any of the photo CDs we sent to you, you will find photos of the family--all of those who have sent photos will find them on the CDs. In addition, there are photos of the new people in the family this first year of life. I hope you all have the CDs by now.

Next, I hope you all get your St. Patrick's Day packages. Remember, you all have the luck of the Irish (which can be either a good or bad thing in and of itself) by birthright. Both LHT and MT have Irish ancestors. So enjoy. This month, I sent all of the letters to each of the kids and each of you adults in one big package. That means you will all get them or none of you will depending on the mail delivery. I have, quite frankly, given up. We keep getting letters back. The mailman delivers the mail according to the return address and not to the send address. Dad keeps complaining to the post office but it doesn't do any good. It is not only snail mail but computer mail that fails me. My e-mail servers both send out multiple e-mails when I just planned on sending one. I get multiple e-mails from the same sender. In addition, I keep getting the ones I send to Todd, Melanie and Kirsten back as undeliverable. Go figure.

Those with birthdays and the one anniversary couple this month, should all be getting or have gotten cards in the mail.

I feel like the old cliche: "The check is in the mail." It really is but who ever believes that when it never shows up?

By the way, one of the people will get $2. I got new bills and they kept sticking together. When I finished I had one dollar left and I should have had two (out of $50). But it is not my fault, I inherited "bug eyes" as one of my friends (?) told me on Saturday. My eyes bulge outward, like bug eyes, she said. I'd worry about it but I have other things troubling me. I am getting ready to blow away. I have now been diagnosed with dry eye, dry skin and dry mouth. When I die, I will not need a casket. Dad can just put me out on the porch on a windy day and I will blow away. That "from dust to dust" statement must really apply.

I love you all. Have a great week. M

Meanderings‏

Myrna wrote: Just so you all know, if you look at any of the photo CDs we sent to you, you will find photos of the family--all of those who have sent photos will find them on the CDs. In addition, there are photos of the new people in the family this first year of life. I hope you all have the CDs by now.

Next, I hope you all get your St. Patrick's Day packages. Remember, you all have the luck of the Irish (which can be either a good or bad thing in and of itself) by birthright. Both LHT and MT have Irish ancestors. So enjoy. This month, I sent all of the letters to each of the kids and each of you adults in one big package. That means you will all get them or none of you will depending on the mail delivery. I have, quite frankly, given up. We keep getting letters back. The mailman delivers the mail according to the return address and not to the send address. Dad keeps complaining to the post office but it doesn't do any good. It is not only snail mail but computer mail that fails me. My e-mail servers both send out multiple e-mails when I just planned on sending one. I get multiple e-mails from the same sender. In addition, I keep getting the ones I send to Todd, Melanie and Kirsten back as undeliverable. Go figure.

Those with birthdays and the one anniversary couple this month, should all be getting or have gotten cards in the mail.

I feel like the old cliche: "The check is in the mail." It really is but who ever believes that when it never shows up?

By the way, one of the people will get $2. I got new bills and they kept sticking together. When I finished I had one dollar left and I should have had two (out of $50). But it is not my fault, I inherited "bug eyes" as one of my friends (?) told me on Saturday. My eyes bulge outward, like bug eyes, she said. I'd worry about it but I have other things troubling me. I am getting ready to blow away. I have now been diagnosed with dry eye, dry skin and dry mouth. When I die, I will not need a casket. Dad can just put me out on the porch on a windy day and I will blow away. That "from dust to dust" statement must really apply.

I love you all. Have a great week. M


Melanie wrote: I got our package today! Just in time to help with my Family Home Evening assignment. I will also use my button tomorrow at the Rehabilitation/Nursing Home as there are a ton of old Irish and Italian/Irish Immigrants that reside there. They love this holiday. Massachusetts celebrates it as big as New York does.

Here's an Irish blessing that I fell in love with:

May those who love us, love us,
and for those who don't love us,
may God turn their hearts.
And if He can't turn their hearts,
may He turn their ankles
so that we will know them by their limping.

Or this one:
 As you slide down the banister of life,
may the splinters never point the wrong direction.

Love you!

Mel

Todd wrote: How about, Where does lint come from and would you like to go there on vacation?


Kirsten wrote: Or maybe, "Some days you're the dog, other days the hydrant."  OR as Jared's favorite t-shirt says, "Irish you would kiss me!"  --get it, Irish (i wish)...  hahaha

Thanks for the package, mom!!!  We used it for family night tonight also!  The kids loved the buttons and the dollar!  BTW, I know who you love best (you know that secret person holding the $2)...

:)

Kirsten

Happy Irish Day!


David wrote: "May the forces of evil become lost and confused on the way to your house."


Kimberly wrote: Ok, that’s my favorite, David.  I was thinking I liked Mel’s ankle twist one, but I like this one best.

Kimberly


Happy St. Patties Day

Myrna wrote: Who is the holder of the $2?

Never iron a four-leaf clover, because you don't want to press your luck.


Kirsten wrote: One last one, "May the bird of paradise fly up your nose!"

Okay, so i cheated and stole that one from Little Jimmy Dickens


Todd wrote:
Dance as if no one were watching,
Sing as if no one were listening,
And live every day as if it were your last.


Amy G wrote: Myrna,

Thank you for the St. Patrick's Day package!  As always, the kids were very excited to get it and we played the games as part of our FHE.  Thanks for the treat dollars, the kids enjoy going to get something compliments of Grandma and Grandpa!

Love,

Amy

It's about time I wrote something here!

Just so you all know, if you look at any of the photo CDs we sent to you, you will find photos of the family--all of those who have sent photos will find them on the CDs. In addition, there are photos of the new people in the family this first year of life. I hope you all have the CDs by now.

Next, I hope you all get your St. Patrick's Day packages. Remember, you all have the luck of the Irish (which can be either a good or bad thing in and of itself) by birthright. Both LHT and MT have Irish ancestors. So enjoy. This month, unlike in November, December, January and February, I sent all of the letters to each of you, kids and adults, in one big package. That means you will all get them or none of you will depending on the mail delivery. I have, quite frankly, given up. We keep getting letters back. The mailman delivers the mail according to the return address and not to the send address. Dad keeps complaining to the post office but it doesn't do any good. It is not only snail mail but computer mail that fails me. My e-mail servers both send out multiple e-mails when I just planned on sending one. I get multiple e-mails from the same sender. In addition, I keep getting the ones I send to Todd, Melanie and Kirsten back as undeliverable. Go figure.

Those with birthdays and the one anniversary couple this month, should all be getting or have gotten cards in the mail.

I feel like the old cliche: "The check is in the mail." It really is but who ever believes that when it never shows up?

By the way, one of the people in the family mailing will get $2 instead of $1. I got new bills and they kept sticking together. When I finished, I had one dollar left and I should have had two dollars (out of the $50). But it is not my fault, I inherited "bug eyes" as one of my friends (?) told me on Saturday. My eyes bulge outward, like bug eyes, she said. I'd worry about it but I have other things troubling me. I am getting ready to blow away. I have now be diagnosed with dry eye, dry skin and dry mouth. When I die, I will not need a casket. Dad can just put me out on the porch on a windy day and I will blow away. That "from dust to dust" statement must really apply.

I love you all. Have a great week. M

Thanks!

Brigitta, thank you for posting a new holiday page. Thank you for telling us about your award and thanks for posting photos of Sorina on  her happy day. It is nice to know that someone else takes an interest in keeping things current.

I have been spending lots and lots of time with the chiropractor. He has had me come for one-hour appointments three times a week. I am so much better that I think it is worth it. My back and hip no longer cause me problems and my tummy is almost healed. I can almost stand straight again. Thanks to David for suggesting I try it and thanks to Jim, for finding a good chiropractor. Auntie Helen and Auntie Eva really believe in the help that can be given. After all the surgeries, Auntie Eva has finally been helped by a chiropractor. Nanci has been going to one to help her with her problems. 

Happy Birthday Sorina!

Blowing Out the Candles

The Awesome Pre-Cut Cake

Spoiled? Naw!

Famous line "Oh My Goodness"

"I BET I CAN COLOR THE CARROT FASTER!"

Sorina, Sayda, Chloe

Future Build A Bear Fashion Models!

"AHHH! STUFFING!" 

(Admit it most kids hate it! Even on thanksgiving!)

Birthday Party Line Up

(This is Brigitta again, I doubt my mom really knows this blog exists!)

Sorina had tons of fun on her birthday and is so excited to be six! She had a wonderful birthday party at Build A Bear with her friends and cousins...well not all her cousins! Where were you guys? Anywho, she made a cute little doggy and called her Chloe. (Oddly enough the name of her cousin in one of the pictures!) Some of her gifts include a barbie mp3, Beautiful B'Day card with birthday money in it (Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!) and a make-up kit (:0) ! All in all, Brigitta is tired of typing and since are pictures worth a thousand words, ....I'm ending this novel with 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SORINA!

cya next week for Kims Birthday!

Sorina Dance Recitals

For those of you who need to calendar early, here are her two summer dance recital dates:

Sat, June 13th 4pm at Davis High Conference Center—which conflicts with Danny and Amy’s Wedding.

Thurs., June 18th, 5:30pm at the Gateway Mall, stage by the fountains

Each performance is about 30 min for the whole school.

She is singing/dancing to Annie’s It’s a Hard Knock Life and The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow

julie's wedding cake

Kimberly wrote: Did I do Julie's wedding cake?  Do you have picture?  Did I do it okay?

I can’t remember.  I remember doing AnnMarie’s and Kirsten’s (I think I did 2).

I am doing my brother’s in June.  And possibly Chelsea’s.  She’s Denise’s oldest.  She’s getting married in the SL Temple. J  She’s 20.

Love,

Kimberly


Myrna wrote: Yes, you did do her wedding cake. It was, as are all of your cakes, beautiful! Somewhere we have the photos. I'm just not certain where. I know she has some. I think you did all the wedding cakes for all of the kids after you came into the family. I know you did David's as well. Love, M

Sorina Birthday Picture‏

Kimberly wrote: Here are Sorina's birthday pictures.


Is six the turning point?  She looks so much older to me.  And the common sense that comes out of her mouth….. Where’s my last baby?  She’s like a sponge and she knows when to spout off what she’s observed and learned.


Shawn wrote: In fact, you can use Sorina’s own wisdom and learning to help her. Sorina has been learning a couple of songs from “Annie” the musical for a performance group that she does with a friend. The other night she got shampoo in her eyes in the tub, and even though I rinsed it out, she was still crying when we got her out. As I was holding her, I thought I would see if I sang “Tomorrow” if she would quit crying. I thought it might cheer her up. Well it worked, but not quite like I anticipated. I had no more than started into the second stanza, when she stopped crying, took a breath, sighed, and said, “Daddy, your singing it wrong. It goes like this…”.


Helen wrote: Dear folks: thank you for the picture. It printed off nicely. Sorena is really lovely. Hope she, Toren, Kimberly and Shawn enjoy their California time- as well Dane and Brigette with you folks. Enjoy the Draper Temple Dedication. Love Helen