BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway and 35 members of his extended family shared the Joseph Smith story "in his own words" and recognized the Prophet's 200th birthday this year during the July 7 devotional.
"This was one of the most significant events in the history of the world," said President Shumway, whose wife, Carolyn, their children and spouses, and grandchildren filled the stage of the McKay Auditorium.
The entire clan started the program by singing Joseph Smith's First Prayer,then each in turn read parts of Joseph Smith 1:1-26. Even the little onestook turns reciting the familiar account of how the 14-year-old Joseph — impressedby the counsel of the Apostle James, if any of you lack wisdom, let himask of God... (James 1:15) — "retired to the woods" wherehe "...saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightnessof the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me."
"...When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightnessand glory defy alldescription, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, callingme by name and said, pointing to the other -- This is My Beloved Son. HearHim!"
President Shumway also recited John Taylor's stirring tribute to the Prophetin Doctrine and Covenants 135:3:
Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesusonly, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man thatever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has broughtforth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power ofGod, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sentthe fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the fourquarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandmentswhich compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wisedocuments and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gatheredmany thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and lefta fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died greatin the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord'sanointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works withhis own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided,and in death they were not separated!
"We testify that Joseph Smith was and still is a prophet of God — thatall the works he did and words he said are true and necessary for our ownexaltation in the Kingdom of God," President Shumway said.
"One of the greatest blessings of the restoration of The Church of JesusChrist of Latter-day Saints through the prophet, Joseph Smith, is the opportunityto be sealed in the Holy Temple as a family forever," he added as a prefaceto his family's closing song, No Empty Chairs, which has a theme of eternalfamilies. Each of the Shumway children and their respective spouses sang a duetduring the song while grandson, Spencer Shumway, provided the accompaniment.