"Joseph Smith's name is
very dear to all faithful Latter-day Saints. His name is
especially dear to me and my family because we are blessed
to claim his older brother Hyrum as our forefather.
"We often think of that
day in 1805, just two days before Christmas, when the
Prophet Joseph Smith was born in a humble home in the
rolling hills of Vermont. More than 189 years have passed
since his birth. Last June 27 we acknowledged the
sesquicentennial day of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum in
Carthage Jail. As we face our own trials in future years, we
must always remember Joseph Smith's perseverance in the face
of incredible hardships and opposition to bring forth the
restored Church of Jesus Christ."
