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SALT LAKE CITY — This summer marks 200 years since Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, underwent an experimental surgery that is credited with saving his leg from being amputated. On Saturday, the Smith family honored the doctor who performed the procedure.
Hundreds of runners competed in the "Joseph's Miracle Run" 5k race through "This is the Place Heritage Park" Saturday. The race was a special moment for David Longcope, a descendant of Dr. Nathan Smith, who in 1813 operated on Joseph Smith's leg.
"I'm a physician, as was my father and his father, and it goes back," he said. "There has been a doctor every generation since Nathan — he was the first."
Seven generation later, Dr. Landscope traveled to Utah to represent his family as Nathan Smith was honored.
"Especially as a physician, to appreciate what he was doing 200 years ago is truly amazing," Landscope said.
Joseph Harris, 20, has had ten surgeries on his leg — the same condition Nathan Smith treated in 7-year-old Joseph Smith.
It has given me another meaning to run. I like running, but I also felt I had to participate because I have similar things.
–Joseph Harris
"It has given me another meaning to run," Harris said. "I like running, but I also felt I had to participate because I have similar things."
The race was sponsored by the Smith Family Association to honor the doctor who pioneered — what was experimental — the life saving operation.
"That surgery was more than 100 years ahead of its time; it wasn't accepted or understood until after WWI that it would save someone's leg and their life," said Dan Adams of the Smith Family Association.
Elder M. Russell Ballard, a descendant of Joseph Smith Sr., credits Dr. Smith, along with Joseph's family, for sustaining him through the terrible disease.
"The marvelous evidence of the faith of a family, father, mother, brother, sister and their prayers and their support of their little brother who had a mission which we celebrate," Elder Ballard said.
