i was asked to speak in sacrament meeting on mother's day, with the topic of emma smith. there is so much to be found of her, much of it terribly sad... i read article after article to find what i thought was a good representation of her, without it being too miserable, it was mother's day after all. i have great admiration for emma and am truly grateful to follow in her footsteps and those of other latter-day saint women. ♥
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I’ve been asked to
speak on Emma Smith, the wife of the prophet Joseph Smith, who was, as such,
the “mother” of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
More than 200 years have passed since Emma
Hale was born in Pennsylvania. Emma is honoured as the first president of the Relief Society,
remembered for her efforts in compiling the original Latter-day Saint hymn
book, and revered as the wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith. But Emma’s role
during the period of the establishment of the Church covered an even wider
range of experiences.
Emma’s first act of support for Joseph Smith was
marrying him in spite of her father’s firm opposition. Joseph, who had just
turned twenty-one loved Emma Hale; her willingness to marry him under difficult
circumstances affirmed her belief in his spiritual experiences. She was
twenty-two at the time and a school teacher. Emma possessed a ready wit and a
natural ease with other people. She became a valuable asset to Joseph as the
events of his life demanded frequent social occasions.
When Joseph took his new bride home to Manchester
to meet his family, she was welcomed warmly by the Smith Family. Emma soon
discovered that life with Joseph was neither tranquil nor dull. She accompanied
Joseph to the Hill Cumorah on that dark night when he received the gold plates,
keeping a careful watch below as the young Prophet climbed the terrain to meet
the angel Moroni. In the months that followed, as speculators and gold-seekers
harassed the Smiths, Emma helped keep secret the places where the plates were
hidden. One on occasion she even rode a stray horse, to Macedon, New York,
where Joseph worked, to warn him of a gathering mob.
In the setting of Joseph’s boyhood home, a close
and lasting friendship developed between Emma and her husband’s mother, Lucy
Mack Smith. Lucy said of Emma: “She was then young and being naturally
ambitious her whole heart was in the work of the Lord and she felt no interest
except for the church and the cause of truth. Whatever Her hands found to do,
she did with her might and did not ask the selfish question, “shall I be
benefited any more than anyone else?” If Elders were sent away to preach she
was the first to volunteer her services to assist in clothing them for their
journey and let her own privations be what they might.”
In the book the History of the Prophet Joseph Smith by His Mother,
Lucy Mack Smith’s tribute to her daughter in law Emma can be found, and I
quote: “I have never seen a woman in 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 has 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.”
When Joseph obtained the gold plates and
continued his mission of being an instrument in the hands of God in restoring
the gospel, Emma served as a scribe during his first efforts to translate the
Book of Mormon. She was baptized on 28 June 1830, shortly after the Church was
organized. In July 1830 the Lord outlined her mission, in a revelation found in
Doctrine and Covenants Section 25: “Thou art an elect lady, whom I have called. … And the office of thy calling
shall be for a comfort unto my servant, Joseph Smith, Junior, thy husband, in
his afflictions.” She was also directed to compile a book of hymns for the
Church, and she was warned to “continue in a spirit of meekness, and beware of
pride.”
Emma’s patriarchal blessing, given on 9 December
1834 by her father-in-law, Joseph Smith, Sr., presents important information
concerning Emma’s contribution to the Restoration, how the Lord viewed Emma,
and what he promised her. “Emma … thou art blessed of the Lord, for thy faithfulness
and truth, thou shalt be blessed with thy husband, and rejoice in the glory
which shall come upon him. Thy soul has been afflicted because of the
wickedness of men in seeking the destruction of thy companion, and thy whole
soul has been drawn out in prayer for his deliverance; rejoice, for the Lord
thy God has heard thy supplication. Thou hast grieved for the hardness of the
hearts of thy father’s house, and thou hast longed for their salvation. The
Lord will have respect to thy cries, and by his judgments he will cause some of
them to see their folly and repent of their sins; but it will be by affliction
that they will be saved. Thou shalt see many days, yea, the Lord will spare
thee till thou art satisfied, for thou shalt see thy Redeemer. Thy heart shall
rejoice in the great work of the Lord, and no one shall take thy rejoicing from
thee. Thou shalt ever remember the great condescension of thy God in permitting
thee to accompany my son Joseph when the angel delivered the record of the
Nephites to his care. … Thou shalt be blessed with understanding, and have
power to instruct thy sex, teach thy family righteousness, and thy little ones
the way of life, and the holy angels shall watch over thee and thou shalt be
saved in the kingdom of God, even so, Amen.”
As a mother, life for Emma must have been a heart wrenching
experience, filled with much pain. During their seventeen-year marriage, nine
children were born to Joseph and Emma, and they adopted two. Emma’s first three
children died shortly after birth: Alvin in 1828 and twins in 1831. They
adopted twins, Joseph and Julia Murdock, whose mother, had died just one day
after the birth of Emma’s twins, leaving a bereaved husband quite unable to
care for the infants. Little Joseph Murdock died in March 1832 as a result of
exposure during an incident of mob violence. The following November, Emma gave
birth to a healthy son, Joseph Smith III. Although Emma enjoyed little Julia
and Joseph, she truly grieved over her lost babies.
The Lord comforted Emma once again in her
patriarchal blessing: “Thou hast seen much sorrow because the Lord has taken
from thee three of thy children. In this thou art not to be blamed, for he
knows thy pure desires to raise up a family, that the name of my son Joseph
Smith, Jr. might be blessed. And now, behold, I say unto thee, that thus says
the Lord, if thou wilt believe, thou shalt yet be blessed … and thou shalt
bring forth other children, to the joy and satisfaction of thy soul, and to the
rejoicing of thy friends.”
Emma’s faith was rewarded: Frederick was born in
1836, and Alexander in 1838. Don Carlos was born in 1840, dying just fourteen
months later. An unnamed son was stillborn on 6 February 1842; and David Hyrum
was born in 1844, four months after the death of his father.
Emma’s care for the untold numbers of
ill and homeless Saints as well as her care for Joseph’s extended family—his
parents, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews—is legend. Emma’s work in the
Church naturally included attending to Joseph’s business in his absence and
taking care of their children.
She
manifested courage and intelligence, defending Joseph in her letter to Illinois
Governor Carlin. In her office as the first
general president of the Relief Society, she set an example of strong
leadership. Her instructions on compassionate service set the tone for
generations of Relief Society members under the theme she promoted: “Charity
Never Faileth.”
Emmeline B.
Wells wrote of her: “Sister Emma was benevolent and hospitable; she drew around
her a large circle of friends, who were like good comrades. She was motherly in
nature to young people, always had a houseful to entertain or be entertained.
She was very high-spirited and the brethren and sisters paid her great respect.
Emma was a great solace to her husband in all his persecutions and the severe
ordeals through which he passed; she was always ready to encourage and comfort
him, devoted to his interests, and was constantly by him whenever it was
possible. She was queen in her home, so to speak, and beloved by the people,
who were many of them indebted to her for favours and kindness.”
The Prophet
wrote in his journal, reflecting on a visit from Emma while he was in great
danger and difficulty in 1842: “With what unspeakable delight, and what
transports of joy swelled my bosom, when I took by the hand, on that night, my
beloved Emma—she that was my wife, even the wife of my youth, and the choice of
my heart. Many were the reverberations of my mind when I contemplated for a
moment the many scenes we had been called to pass through, the fatigues and the
toils, the sorrows and sufferings, and the joys and consolations, from time to
time, which had strewed our paths and crowned our board. Oh what a commingling
of thought filled my mind for the moment, again she is here, even in the
seventh trouble—undaunted, firm, and unwavering—unchangeable, affectionate
Emma!”
Upon
instruction from the Lord, the Relief Society was organized in March of 1842
by the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was originally called the Female Relief Society
of Nauvoo, and Emma Smith, the wife of Joseph Smith, was selected as its first
president. Joseph Smith taught, “The Church was never perfectly organized until
the women were thus organized.” (Let’s be honest, we all know women are
organised!)
Historical records of the Church in our
dispensation describe the devotion of early Relief Society women as they bore
testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and served the sick and poor among them
to build up the kingdom of God. The Relief Society provided opportunities for
Latter-day Saint women to expand their influence and to bless their families,
wards, stakes, communities, and nations. Throughout its history, members of the
organization have spoken up regarding relevant issues of their time. Relief
Society continues to provide such opportunities for women today with around 6
million members throughout 170 countries.
What a blessing it is to have the Relief
Society for women in the world today, to have a place of safety and refuge
amongst so much evil. To know that it was formed in such a way, to ensure that
it has lasted for us today, following in the footsteps of women such as the
“elect lady” Emma Smith. How grateful I am to be a mother in Zion. How blessed
I am to raise my children in the gospel and to watch them grow, both in body
and in spirit, to see their faith and testimony grow as they get older.
Although trying at times, I know there is no greater purpose in my life than to
be a mother, to teach them, to guide them and help them develop a love for
their Saviour. I am forever grateful to have been brought up by a wonderfully
strong mother, who is everything I hope to be. For strong grandmothers who
brought up my father and mother in the gospel, and for my bonus mother, my
mother in law Oliveta for faithfully raising my husband in the gospel, so that
we can do the same. What joy there is to be found in the restored gospel of
Jesus Christ!
I am forever grateful for the women of
the church, who paved the way, for us to receive the blessings we do today. I know of the truth of the gospel. I know Joseph was a prophet who restored
the gospel for all of us to find the joy we have. If you do not know of the
truth, find out for yourself, you will never regret the decision to ask your
Father in heaven to know.
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