BFJ Potluck and Reunion

Enjoy a shared potluck meal with family, learn about one another, and listen to our special guest speaker Gracia Jones.

ABOUT GRACIA

Gracia N. Jones is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1956. Through her mother she is a great-great granddaughter of the Prophet Joseph and Emma Hale Smith, through their son, Alexander Hale Smith. Through her father, she is of Native American descent; a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead in Montana.

She did not learn of her Smith heritage until she was nearly grown.  After meeting the missionaries, she had to wait many months before she could be baptized due to prejudice in her family. Since her baptism on March 17, 1956, she has spent over 50 years in research into the Smith heritage.

She has authored numerous articles about Joseph and Emma Smith.  Most notable for LDS members is, her article, "Finding my Great-Great Grandmother Emma Hale Smith," published in the August 1992 Ensign Magazine.  This issue of the Ensign can be accessed on the church website. 

Gracia has authored several books:

Emma’s Glory and Sacrifice, a Testimony

Holidays with Joseph and Emma

History of Fredonia Arizona, 100 Years—

Emma and Joseph--Their Devine Mission

Emma and Lucy

In 1995 Gracia went to China as a reporter for Deseret News, for the 4th World Conference on Women, in Beijing China

She has a BA in Family Science; MA in Biblical Studies; and MA in History from George Wythe College in Cedar City, Utah.  She taught classes at BYU Education Week for 11 years on The Smith Family Heritage, The Life of Emma Hale Smith, and An Unequivocal Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

She is married to Clifton Ivor Jones, a St. George native. They live in St. George, Utah, 6th Ward, St. George East Stake, where they have served in various callings and labored as ward and stake missionaries.  They have spent many years helping organize family reunions for the descendants of Joseph Smith Sr., and Emma and Joseph Smith Jr.  They have traveled many thousands of miles locating the descendants of the prophet Joseph Smith, visiting them in their homes in Australia, Canada, and most of the states of the USA.  Sister Jones, is currently serving as historian for the Joseph Smith Jr., and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society, which produced the landmark movie, Emma Hale Smith: My Story.  You are invited to view the web page for JSEHS Historical Society at  www.josephsmithjr.org.