I had to give a talk today and I started researching my subject about a month ago. For the past year we have been studying Joseph Smith and I have wondered a lot about Emma Smith. I wondered what her role in the restoration of the church was and I wanted to know more about her so I asked my friend Whitney to refer me to some talks/and/or books on her. First I read an article written by Emma's Great-Great Granddaughter named Gracia N. Jones. I really liked this talk. She was not a member of our church but babysat for a couple that were. They sent over the missionaries and when the missionary found out she was a descendent of Joseph Smith they were happy and so was she. She believed in the first vision and accepted the Book of Mormon. She was amazed at the response she got when she told people she was a descendent of JS. She wondered why no one ever mentioned Emma Smith. Gracia had never seen a picture of Emma until one day she saw a picture hanging in the RS room. As she was looking at the picture a women came up behind her and mentioned that her husband thought they should take that picture down. Gracia was confused and sad. So, she started researching Emma and did so for 10 years. Then she wrote this article on all the things she found. I will summarize all of that and what I learned from a book I am going to talk about next. I read the book Beloved Emma by Lori E. Woodland in addition to this ensign article. I loved the book! I will purchase this one. I am not really a big fan of reading church books but I really liked this one. I had a hard time putting it down. I liked Lori's writing style because she tried to stick to the facts without interjecting her opinion too much. When I was done reading I felt I knew I knew Emma better. Here is my talk:I wanted to learn more about Emma Smith and I felt I have read enough material to satisfy my curiosity. I am overwhelmed by how much information I found out about her and have had a struggle knowing what to present to you. I thought the best way to do it is to tell you all the things I learned that I didn't know and tell you all the things that impressed me about Emma. The list is long so I don't know how much I can present in class period.The first thing that impressed me about Emma was her desire to be educated. In her time I don't think that was popular or suggested.When Emma and Joseph starting courting, Emma's father Isaac did not like Joseph because he felt he was a treasure hunter. Joseph knew he would marry Emma when he went to visit Moroni on the third year. Moroni told Joseph that he would give him the plates when he came back the next year if he brought the right person. When Joseph asked who that person would be Moroni said it was Emma. At that time Joseph knew she was to be his wife. Isaac (Emma's father) was still not convinced that Joseph was right for Emma and didn't give his blessing. Emma and Joseph got married anyway on Jan. 18. 1827. It impressed me that Joseph and Emma did what the Lord wanted even if it didn't make Emma's family happy. I had a similar experience with Bobby. My family liked another guy I was dating more and they were disappointed when I picked Bobby. I knew I had the Lord's blessing though and that was all that mattered to me. Ironically, my family now likes Bobby more than me. Sadly that never happened to Emma.Another thing that impressed me about Emma was her strong commitment to her husband. They moved so many times in their lives that I had a hard time keeping track. When I went back through the book I counted 9 times. Almost every time they moved Emma had to move without taking her belongings. She just had to take the clothes on her back and leave. Many times she moved without the help of her husband and many times when she got to a new place, she had to stay with people she didn't know until other arrangements were made for her. When she did live in her own home she always opened it up to members or nonmembers. When Joseph and she moved to Nauvoo, she had a nice home there with a kitchen adequate for cooking for all the people who came and went. read quote #1
Lucy Smith wrote,“ How often I have, with my…. Daughter-in-law, parted every bed in the house for the accommodation of the brethren, and then laid a single blanket on the floor for my husband and myself, while Joseph slept upon the same hard floor, with nothing but a cloak for both bed and bedding, Emma placing herself by his side to share his comfort- and this was our rest for two weeks together, while we labored hard every day. But those who were accommodated by our privations did not know how we fared, for neither Emma or I suffered them to know that we took unwearied pains for them.”A bad case of Malaria spread in Quincy, Illinois. Joseph got it and Emma nursed him back to health but soon her house was overtaken with sick people including her young son Joseph and a friend named James Mulhooand. Unfortunately James eventually died after five weeks but gratefully her son survived. Later on when Emma and Joseph were experiencing very difficult times with the deputy sheriff and others, Emma got Malaria also. She was pregnant and had the illness for a month. Joseph stayed by her bedside the whole time.Emma and Joseph had 11 children. Many of her children died at birth or in infancy. 5 Children lived to be adults. She had a twin girl and boy in April 1831. Both twins died and Emma and Joseph were extremely sad. Fortunately, a woman had just given birth to twins and she died. The twins were adopted by Emma and Joseph to love and take care of. The twins' names were Julia and Joseph. In March 24, 1832 both the twins were suffering with the measles. Despite that, a mob broke into their house and tarred and feathered Joseph. Emma and others spent the night scraping the tar off Joseph and he attended his meetings the next day. Unfortunately both babies were exposed to the cold night air and five days later, baby Joseph died. Many times Emma was made to expose her children to situations that I am su
re were not pleasing to her. Show picture of Emma carrying her babies over the Mississippi river. Share my own experience.
Lucy Smith wrote,“ How often I have, with my…. Daughter-in-law, parted every bed in the house for the accommodation of the brethren, and then laid a single blanket on the floor for my husband and myself, while Joseph slept upon the same hard floor, with nothing but a cloak for both bed and bedding, Emma placing herself by his side to share his comfort- and this was our rest for two weeks together, while we labored hard every day. But those who were accommodated by our privations did not know how we fared, for neither Emma or I suffered them to know that we took unwearied pains for them.”A bad case of Malaria spread in Quincy, Illinois. Joseph got it and Emma nursed him back to health but soon her house was overtaken with sick people including her young son Joseph and a friend named James Mulhooand. Unfortunately James eventually died after five weeks but gratefully her son survived. Later on when Emma and Joseph were experiencing very difficult times with the deputy sheriff and others, Emma got Malaria also. She was pregnant and had the illness for a month. Joseph stayed by her bedside the whole time.Emma and Joseph had 11 children. Many of her children died at birth or in infancy. 5 Children lived to be adults. She had a twin girl and boy in April 1831. Both twins died and Emma and Joseph were extremely sad. Fortunately, a woman had just given birth to twins and she died. The twins were adopted by Emma and Joseph to love and take care of. The twins' names were Julia and Joseph. In March 24, 1832 both the twins were suffering with the measles. Despite that, a mob broke into their house and tarred and feathered Joseph. Emma and others spent the night scraping the tar off Joseph and he attended his meetings the next day. Unfortunately both babies were exposed to the cold night air and five days later, baby Joseph died. Many times Emma was made to expose her children to situations that I am su
re were not pleasing to her. Show picture of Emma carrying her babies over the Mississippi river. Share my own experience.D&C 25 was written directly to Emma. I want to discuss that section of scripture. D&C 25: 3- Emma is called an Elect Lady. What does that mean to you?Elect means one chosen or set. On March 17, 1842 the R.S. was organized and Emma was chosen to be the president. Even though she was chosen to be the president, I think the phrase thou art an elect lady entails more than that. The next scripture helped me understand more of Emma's calling on the earth.D&C 25:5 Emma is told to be a comfort to JosephD&C 25:11 Emma is told to compile a book of hymns for the churchD&C 25:14 Emma is told to continue in a spirit of meekness and beware of pride.
We can apply all of the things the Lord told Emma to our own lives.
I wish that Emma would have written a journal so we could read for ourselves just what her feelings and thoughts were but since she didn’t I am glad we have nice words written by Lucy and Joseph.
Lucy Smith said: “ I have never seen a woman in all my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she has ever done; for I know that which she had had to endure- she has been tossed upon the ocean of uncertainty- she has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would have borne down almost any other woman. It may be, that many may yet have to encounter the same- I pray God, that this may not be the case; but, should it be, may they have the grace given them according to this day, even as has been the case with her.”
After Joseph died the saints left and traveled to Far West under Brigham Young. Emma refused to go. Here is what her great granddaughter said about it. “It is documented that Emma quarreled with some Church leaders over various aspects of settling Joseph’s estate and that hurt feelings resulted which were not resolved at the time. Yet through prayerful examination of materials, and through refraining from judging the people involved, I have come to peacefully understand that in the threatening atmosphere of persecution that prevailed at the time, some of Emma’s hesitation resulted because she feared for the lives of her children. She did not know whom to trust and there was not time and no peace for the natural healing of her grief to occur” I think she didn’t go because she didn’t have Joseph there with her to comfort her.
This is what Lori Woodland said about Emma in her epilogue to the book, “When I am asked questions about Emma’s exaltation by members of the church with whom I have visited with, my usual response is something like this: I have no more information than anyone else regarding Emma’s eternal future. What I do know is that if ever I am blessed with the opportunity to meet Emma, I hope and pray that as we embrace, rather than my having to whisper in her ear, “I’m sorry”, she will whisper in mine, “Thank you”.
Even though Emma had trouble with Brigham Young, and she had trouble with plural marriage, I don’t think she lost her testimony. A maid of hers said she went to her room every night and just looked out the window. No one knew what she was thinking about and no one ever bothered her during that time.
When Emma’s son asked her if the Book of Mormon was true she said: “ My belief is that the Book of Mormon is of divine authenticity- I have not slightest doubt of it. I am satisfied that no man could have dictated the writing of the manuscripts unless he was inspired; for when acting as a scribe, your father would dictate to me hour after hour, and when returning after meals, or after interruptions, he would at once begin where he left off, without either seeing the manuscript or having any portion of it read to him. This was an unusual thing for him to do. It would have been improbable that a learned man could do this; and for one so…..unlearned as he was, it was simply impossible.
We can apply all of the things the Lord told Emma to our own lives.
I wish that Emma would have written a journal so we could read for ourselves just what her feelings and thoughts were but since she didn’t I am glad we have nice words written by Lucy and Joseph.
Lucy Smith said: “ I have never seen a woman in all my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she has ever done; for I know that which she had had to endure- she has been tossed upon the ocean of uncertainty- she has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would have borne down almost any other woman. It may be, that many may yet have to encounter the same- I pray God, that this may not be the case; but, should it be, may they have the grace given them according to this day, even as has been the case with her.”
After Joseph died the saints left and traveled to Far West under Brigham Young. Emma refused to go. Here is what her great granddaughter said about it. “It is documented that Emma quarreled with some Church leaders over various aspects of settling Joseph’s estate and that hurt feelings resulted which were not resolved at the time. Yet through prayerful examination of materials, and through refraining from judging the people involved, I have come to peacefully understand that in the threatening atmosphere of persecution that prevailed at the time, some of Emma’s hesitation resulted because she feared for the lives of her children. She did not know whom to trust and there was not time and no peace for the natural healing of her grief to occur” I think she didn’t go because she didn’t have Joseph there with her to comfort her.
This is what Lori Woodland said about Emma in her epilogue to the book, “When I am asked questions about Emma’s exaltation by members of the church with whom I have visited with, my usual response is something like this: I have no more information than anyone else regarding Emma’s eternal future. What I do know is that if ever I am blessed with the opportunity to meet Emma, I hope and pray that as we embrace, rather than my having to whisper in her ear, “I’m sorry”, she will whisper in mine, “Thank you”.
Even though Emma had trouble with Brigham Young, and she had trouble with plural marriage, I don’t think she lost her testimony. A maid of hers said she went to her room every night and just looked out the window. No one knew what she was thinking about and no one ever bothered her during that time.
When Emma’s son asked her if the Book of Mormon was true she said: “ My belief is that the Book of Mormon is of divine authenticity- I have not slightest doubt of it. I am satisfied that no man could have dictated the writing of the manuscripts unless he was inspired; for when acting as a scribe, your father would dictate to me hour after hour, and when returning after meals, or after interruptions, he would at once begin where he left off, without either seeing the manuscript or having any portion of it read to him. This was an unusual thing for him to do. It would have been improbable that a learned man could do this; and for one so…..unlearned as he was, it was simply impossible.
I am very glad that I took time to research Emma and prepared this talk. I feel that I left out many parts of her life but I would be here all day writing if I included everything I learned about her. I know she was an elect lady and I am grateful for her.
