Joseph enjoyed his family

One of the interesting facts about Joseph Smith is that Joseph enjoyed his family. His official diary contains dozens of entries similar to this one from March 27, 1834: "Remained at home and had great joy with my family." Indeed, one convert family allegedly apostatized as a result of Joseph coming downstairs from the room where he had been translating "by the gift and power of God" and starting to play and romp with his children when they arrived in Kirtland from the East, according to a cousin, George A. Smith. They believed that this was not appropriate conduct for a prophet! In his journal, the Prophet records taking his family on outings on Mississippi River boats, as well as to theater productions, musical concerts, and circus shows.

According to the information gathered by Richard Anderson, Marvin Hill, Dean Jessee, Ivan Barrett, and others about his boyhood, the family he grew up in was intelligent and hardworking but not highly educated. Every morning and evening, they prayed together. They also loved to sing hymns, read the Bible as a family and were very interested in religion. The boys took part in games of ball, wrestling, and pulling sticks as well as other homemade sports. Joseph was referred to as "a clever, jovial boy" by a neighbor. Another neighbor noted that Young Joe worked for him and that "he was a good worker," adding that the Smiths were "the best family in the neighborhood in case of sickness."