Emma Hale Smith
Born: 10 July 1804
Called as Relief Society General President: 17 March 1842
Released?: 1844
Died: 30 April 1879
Called as Relief Society General President: 17 March 1842
Released?: 1844
Died: 30 April 1879
Biographical Articles
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 1
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Young Woman's Journal, September 1917, Divine Authority: Authority to Emma Smith
Relief Society Magazine, March 1920, The Five General Presidents of the Relief Society - Emma Hale Smith
Juvenile Instructor, March 1928, Emma Hale Smith, The Prophet's Wife
Relief Society Magazine, March 1939, Emma Smith--Church Hymns
Instructor, February 1969, Emma Hale and Joseph Smith
Ensign, August 1992, My Great-Great-Grandmother, Emma Hale Smith
Liahona, March 2021, "I Was an Active Participant": Emma Hale Smith and the Scriptures
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Young Woman's Journal, September 1917, Divine Authority: Authority to Emma Smith
Relief Society Magazine, March 1920, The Five General Presidents of the Relief Society - Emma Hale Smith
Juvenile Instructor, March 1928, Emma Hale Smith, The Prophet's Wife
Relief Society Magazine, March 1939, Emma Smith--Church Hymns
Instructor, February 1969, Emma Hale and Joseph Smith
Ensign, August 1992, My Great-Great-Grandmother, Emma Hale Smith
Liahona, March 2021, "I Was an Active Participant": Emma Hale Smith and the Scriptures
Jenson, Andrew. "Smith, Emma Hale." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 1. pg. 692-693.
SMITH, Emma, the first Relief Society president in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was born July 10, 1804, in Harmony, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Isaac Hale and became acquainted with Joseph Smith in 1827, while he was employed by Mr. Josiah Stoal (of Chenango county, New York), in Harmony, Penn. Joseph writes, "During the time that I was thus employed, I was put to board with a Mr. Isaac Hale, of that place; it was there I first saw my wife (his daughter), Emma Hale. On the 18th of January, 1827, we were married, while I was yet employed in the service of Mr. Stoal. Owing to my continuing to assert that I had seen a vision, persecution still followed me, and my wife’s father's family were very much opposed to our being married. I was, therefore, under the necessity of taking- her elsewhere; so we went anti were married at the house of Squire Tarbull, in South Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York. Immediately after my marriage, I left Mr. Stoal's and went to my father's, and farmed with them that season.” Emma accepted the gospel as it had been revealed through her husband and was baptized by Oliver Cowdery in Colesville, Broome county, New York, in June, 1830. After this she shared with her husband his joys and sorrows, and, together with him, passed through the persecutions of New York, Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. In a revelation given through Joseph Smith in July, 1836 she was called “an elect lady” and commanded to expound Scriptures and to exhort the Church.” (Doc. & Cov. 25: 7.) When the first Female Relief Society of the Church was organized in Nauvoo. Ill., March 17, 1842, she was chosen to stand at the head of the same as its president— a position which she filled with marked distinction as long as the society continued to hold meetings in that city. When the Saints were expelled from Illinois in 1846 Emma Smith chose to remain at her home in Nauvoo, where she was married to Lewis C. Bidamon Dec. 23, 1847, the Rev. William Haney, a Methodist clergyman, performing the marriage ceremony. Mr. Bidamon, who was generally known as Major Bidamon, made the Mansion House (which had been built as a hotel by Joseph the Prophet) his family home, and there he lived with Emma as his wife for about twenty-two years. About 1869 they took possession of a portion of the old Nauvoo House, a brick structure which was partly built by the Saints before they left Nauvoo, and which for many years had stood as a ruin on the river bank, reminding the visitor of Nauvoo's past glory. Major Bidamon completed part of the house and moved his family into it, and that historic building now became Emma's home during the remainder of her days. While residing as Mrs. Bidamon in the Mansion House and later, as stated, in the Nauvoo House, Emma was frequently-visited—by relatives and friends from Utah. To many of these she seemed restless and unhappy, but she always manifested great interest in the friends, of her first husband. Her dislike for Pres. Brigham Young is believed by many to have been the main cause of her refusal to gather with the Saints to the mountains; and it is also assorted that she on the same ground, later on, influenced her sons to take the stand they did in regard to the so-called Re-organization. Sister Emma died in Nauvoo, April 30, 1879 and at the time of her demise the "Deseret News” said editorially: “To the old members of the Church the deceased was well known, as a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and force of character. Her opposition to the doctrine of plural marriage, which, however, she at first embraced, led to her departure from the faith of the gospel as revealed through her martyred husband. She chose to remain at Nauvoo when the Saints left for the west, and in consequence lost the honor and glory that might have crowned her brow as “the elect lady.” She was the mother of four (seven) children, all the sons of the Prophet Joseph, viz: Joseph, now leader of the sect which commonly bears his name, Frederick (deceased), Alexander and David. It was mainly through her influence that they were led into the bypath wherein they have gone astray. She has now gone beyond the veil to await the great day of accounts. "There is no feeling of bitterness in the hearts of the Saints toward Sister Emma Smith, but only of pity and sorrow for the course she pursued. May her remains rest in peace."
SMITH, Emma, the first Relief Society president in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was born July 10, 1804, in Harmony, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Isaac Hale and became acquainted with Joseph Smith in 1827, while he was employed by Mr. Josiah Stoal (of Chenango county, New York), in Harmony, Penn. Joseph writes, "During the time that I was thus employed, I was put to board with a Mr. Isaac Hale, of that place; it was there I first saw my wife (his daughter), Emma Hale. On the 18th of January, 1827, we were married, while I was yet employed in the service of Mr. Stoal. Owing to my continuing to assert that I had seen a vision, persecution still followed me, and my wife’s father's family were very much opposed to our being married. I was, therefore, under the necessity of taking- her elsewhere; so we went anti were married at the house of Squire Tarbull, in South Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York. Immediately after my marriage, I left Mr. Stoal's and went to my father's, and farmed with them that season.” Emma accepted the gospel as it had been revealed through her husband and was baptized by Oliver Cowdery in Colesville, Broome county, New York, in June, 1830. After this she shared with her husband his joys and sorrows, and, together with him, passed through the persecutions of New York, Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. In a revelation given through Joseph Smith in July, 1836 she was called “an elect lady” and commanded to expound Scriptures and to exhort the Church.” (Doc. & Cov. 25: 7.) When the first Female Relief Society of the Church was organized in Nauvoo. Ill., March 17, 1842, she was chosen to stand at the head of the same as its president— a position which she filled with marked distinction as long as the society continued to hold meetings in that city. When the Saints were expelled from Illinois in 1846 Emma Smith chose to remain at her home in Nauvoo, where she was married to Lewis C. Bidamon Dec. 23, 1847, the Rev. William Haney, a Methodist clergyman, performing the marriage ceremony. Mr. Bidamon, who was generally known as Major Bidamon, made the Mansion House (which had been built as a hotel by Joseph the Prophet) his family home, and there he lived with Emma as his wife for about twenty-two years. About 1869 they took possession of a portion of the old Nauvoo House, a brick structure which was partly built by the Saints before they left Nauvoo, and which for many years had stood as a ruin on the river bank, reminding the visitor of Nauvoo's past glory. Major Bidamon completed part of the house and moved his family into it, and that historic building now became Emma's home during the remainder of her days. While residing as Mrs. Bidamon in the Mansion House and later, as stated, in the Nauvoo House, Emma was frequently-visited—by relatives and friends from Utah. To many of these she seemed restless and unhappy, but she always manifested great interest in the friends, of her first husband. Her dislike for Pres. Brigham Young is believed by many to have been the main cause of her refusal to gather with the Saints to the mountains; and it is also assorted that she on the same ground, later on, influenced her sons to take the stand they did in regard to the so-called Re-organization. Sister Emma died in Nauvoo, April 30, 1879 and at the time of her demise the "Deseret News” said editorially: “To the old members of the Church the deceased was well known, as a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and force of character. Her opposition to the doctrine of plural marriage, which, however, she at first embraced, led to her departure from the faith of the gospel as revealed through her martyred husband. She chose to remain at Nauvoo when the Saints left for the west, and in consequence lost the honor and glory that might have crowned her brow as “the elect lady.” She was the mother of four (seven) children, all the sons of the Prophet Joseph, viz: Joseph, now leader of the sect which commonly bears his name, Frederick (deceased), Alexander and David. It was mainly through her influence that they were led into the bypath wherein they have gone astray. She has now gone beyond the veil to await the great day of accounts. "There is no feeling of bitterness in the hearts of the Saints toward Sister Emma Smith, but only of pity and sorrow for the course she pursued. May her remains rest in peace."
Jenson, Andrew. "Smith, Emma Hale." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 4. pg. 178, 196-197.
SMITH, Emma Hale, wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the first president of the Relief Society in 1842- 1844, was born July 10, 1804, in Harmony, Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania, a daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. She was a faithful wife and mother and during times of persecution her home was always open to the sick and needy. She supervised the work of boarding and clothing the men engaged in building the temples at Kirtland and Nauvoo, and during the persecutions in Illinois, she, in company with others, journeyed to Quincy, Ill., and presented a memorial to Gov. Carlin in behalf of her people. She was appointed to make a selection of hymns to be used by the Church in Nauvoo, many of which are included in the L. D. S. hymn book. When the .saints were expelled from Illinois in 1846, Emma Smith chose to remain in Nauvoo, where she later married Major Lewis C. Bidamon in 1847. She died in Nauvoo April 30, 1879. She was the mother of four sons and adopted a daughter. (For further details see Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 692.)
SMITH, Emma Hale, wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the first president of the Relief Society in 1842- 1844, was born July 10, 1804, in Harmony, Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania, a daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. She was a faithful wife and mother and during times of persecution her home was always open to the sick and needy. She supervised the work of boarding and clothing the men engaged in building the temples at Kirtland and Nauvoo, and during the persecutions in Illinois, she, in company with others, journeyed to Quincy, Ill., and presented a memorial to Gov. Carlin in behalf of her people. She was appointed to make a selection of hymns to be used by the Church in Nauvoo, many of which are included in the L. D. S. hymn book. When the .saints were expelled from Illinois in 1846, Emma Smith chose to remain in Nauvoo, where she later married Major Lewis C. Bidamon in 1847. She died in Nauvoo April 30, 1879. She was the mother of four sons and adopted a daughter. (For further details see Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 692.)
"Divine Authority: Authority to Emma Smith." Young Woman's Journal. September 1917. pg. 517-518.
Divine Authority.
Authority to Emma Smith.
It was a recognition of all women when the Lord gave a revelation to Emma Smith. True it was given through her husband, the Prophet Joseph, but so were the revelations to the brethren. It is the Divine decree that revelation concerning the Church be given through the head thereof. While the word of the Lord came especially to this honored woman, the instruction given concerns every woman in the Church. She was to lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better: to continue in the spirit of meekness and beware of pride. She was to be ordained under the hands of her husband to expound scriptures, and to exhort the Church, according as it should be given her by the Spirit. And, furthermore, the revelation closes with the words: “Verily, verily I say unto you, that this is my voice unto all. Amen.”[1]
[1] Rev. to E. Smith, Doc. Cov. Sec. 25.
Divine Authority.
Authority to Emma Smith.
It was a recognition of all women when the Lord gave a revelation to Emma Smith. True it was given through her husband, the Prophet Joseph, but so were the revelations to the brethren. It is the Divine decree that revelation concerning the Church be given through the head thereof. While the word of the Lord came especially to this honored woman, the instruction given concerns every woman in the Church. She was to lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better: to continue in the spirit of meekness and beware of pride. She was to be ordained under the hands of her husband to expound scriptures, and to exhort the Church, according as it should be given her by the Spirit. And, furthermore, the revelation closes with the words: “Verily, verily I say unto you, that this is my voice unto all. Amen.”[1]
[1] Rev. to E. Smith, Doc. Cov. Sec. 25.
"The Five General Presidents of the Relief Society - Emma Hale Smith." Relief Society Magazine. March 1920. pg. 126-129.
The Five General Presidents of the Relief Society
EMMA HALE SMITH.
Emma Smith, the first Relief Society president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was born July 10. 1804, in Harmony, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. She was daughter of Isaac Hale, and became acquainted with Joseph Smith in 1827, while he was employed by Mr. Josiah Stoal of Chenango county, New York, in Harmony, Penn. Joseph writes, "During the time that I was thus employed, I was put to board with a Mr. Isaac Hale, of that place; it was there I first saw my wife (his daughter), Emma Hale. On the 18th day of January, 1827, we were married, while I was yet employed in the service of Mr. Stoal. Owing to my continuing to assert that I had seen a vision, persecution still followed me, and my wife's father's family were very much opposed to our being married. I was, therefore, under the necessity of taking her elsewhere, so we went and were married at the house of Squire Turbull, in South Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York. Immediately after my marriage, I left Mr. Stoal's and went to my father's and farmed with them that season." Emma accepted the gospel as it had been revealed through her husband and was baptized by Oliver Cowdery, in Colesville, Broome county. New York, in June, 1830. After this she shared with her husband his joys and sorrows, and, together with him, passed through the persecutions of New York, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois. In a revelation given through Joseph Smith in July, 1830, she was called "an elect lady" and commanded to "expound Scriptures and to exhort the Church." (Doc. 8z Gov., 25 :7.) When the first female Relief Society of the Church was org^anized in Nauvoo, 111., March 17, 1842, she was chosen to stand at the head of the same as its president, a position which she filled with marked distinction as long as the society continued to hold meetings in that city. When the Saints were expelled from Illinois, in 1846. Emma Smith chose to remain at her home in Nauvoo, where she was married to Lewis C. Bidamon, Dec. 33. 1847, the Rev. William Haney, a Methodist clergyman performing the ceremony. Mr. Bidamon, who was generally known as Major Bidamon, made the Mansion House (which had been built as a hotel by Joseph the Prophet) his family home, and there he lived with Emma as his wife for about twenty-two years. About 1869 they took possession of a portion of the old Nauvoo House, a brick structure which was partly built by the Saints before they left Nauvoo, and which for many years had stood as a ruin on the river bank, reminding the visitor of Nauvoo's past glory. Major Bidamon completed a part of the house and moved his family into it, and that historic building now became Emma's home during the remainder of her days. While residing as Mrs. Bidamon in the Mansion House and later, as stated, in the Nauvoo House, Emma was frequently visited by relatives and friends from Utah. To many of these she seemed restless and unhappy, but she always manifested great interest in the friends of her first husband. Her dislike for Pres. Brigham Young is believed by many to have been the main cause of her refusal to gather with the Saints to the mountains ; and it is asserted that she on the same ground, later on, influenced her sons to take the stand they did in regard to the so-called Re-organization. Sister Emma died in Nauvoo, April 30, 1879, and at the time of her demise the "Deseret News" said, editorially : "To the old members of the Church the deceased was well known, as a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and force of character. Her opposition to the doctrine of plural marriage which, however, she at first embraced, led to her departure from the faith of the gospel as revealed through her martyred husband. She chose to remain in Nauvoo when the Saints left for the west, and in consequence lost the honor and glory that might have crowned her brow as "that elect lady." She was the mother of seven children and of all the four sons of the Prophet Joseph, viz. : Joseph, the late leader of the sect called the Reorganites, Frederick, deceased, Alexander and David. It was mainly through her influence that they were led into the bypath wherein they have gone astray. She has gone beyond the veil to await the great day of accounts. There is no feeling of bitterness in the hearts of the Saints toward Sister Emma Smith, but only of pity and sorrow for the course she pursued. May her remains rest in peace." From Jenson's "Biographical Dictionary." Vol. I.
The Five General Presidents of the Relief Society
EMMA HALE SMITH.
Emma Smith, the first Relief Society president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was born July 10. 1804, in Harmony, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. She was daughter of Isaac Hale, and became acquainted with Joseph Smith in 1827, while he was employed by Mr. Josiah Stoal of Chenango county, New York, in Harmony, Penn. Joseph writes, "During the time that I was thus employed, I was put to board with a Mr. Isaac Hale, of that place; it was there I first saw my wife (his daughter), Emma Hale. On the 18th day of January, 1827, we were married, while I was yet employed in the service of Mr. Stoal. Owing to my continuing to assert that I had seen a vision, persecution still followed me, and my wife's father's family were very much opposed to our being married. I was, therefore, under the necessity of taking her elsewhere, so we went and were married at the house of Squire Turbull, in South Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York. Immediately after my marriage, I left Mr. Stoal's and went to my father's and farmed with them that season." Emma accepted the gospel as it had been revealed through her husband and was baptized by Oliver Cowdery, in Colesville, Broome county. New York, in June, 1830. After this she shared with her husband his joys and sorrows, and, together with him, passed through the persecutions of New York, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois. In a revelation given through Joseph Smith in July, 1830, she was called "an elect lady" and commanded to "expound Scriptures and to exhort the Church." (Doc. 8z Gov., 25 :7.) When the first female Relief Society of the Church was org^anized in Nauvoo, 111., March 17, 1842, she was chosen to stand at the head of the same as its president, a position which she filled with marked distinction as long as the society continued to hold meetings in that city. When the Saints were expelled from Illinois, in 1846. Emma Smith chose to remain at her home in Nauvoo, where she was married to Lewis C. Bidamon, Dec. 33. 1847, the Rev. William Haney, a Methodist clergyman performing the ceremony. Mr. Bidamon, who was generally known as Major Bidamon, made the Mansion House (which had been built as a hotel by Joseph the Prophet) his family home, and there he lived with Emma as his wife for about twenty-two years. About 1869 they took possession of a portion of the old Nauvoo House, a brick structure which was partly built by the Saints before they left Nauvoo, and which for many years had stood as a ruin on the river bank, reminding the visitor of Nauvoo's past glory. Major Bidamon completed a part of the house and moved his family into it, and that historic building now became Emma's home during the remainder of her days. While residing as Mrs. Bidamon in the Mansion House and later, as stated, in the Nauvoo House, Emma was frequently visited by relatives and friends from Utah. To many of these she seemed restless and unhappy, but she always manifested great interest in the friends of her first husband. Her dislike for Pres. Brigham Young is believed by many to have been the main cause of her refusal to gather with the Saints to the mountains ; and it is asserted that she on the same ground, later on, influenced her sons to take the stand they did in regard to the so-called Re-organization. Sister Emma died in Nauvoo, April 30, 1879, and at the time of her demise the "Deseret News" said, editorially : "To the old members of the Church the deceased was well known, as a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and force of character. Her opposition to the doctrine of plural marriage which, however, she at first embraced, led to her departure from the faith of the gospel as revealed through her martyred husband. She chose to remain in Nauvoo when the Saints left for the west, and in consequence lost the honor and glory that might have crowned her brow as "that elect lady." She was the mother of seven children and of all the four sons of the Prophet Joseph, viz. : Joseph, the late leader of the sect called the Reorganites, Frederick, deceased, Alexander and David. It was mainly through her influence that they were led into the bypath wherein they have gone astray. She has gone beyond the veil to await the great day of accounts. There is no feeling of bitterness in the hearts of the Saints toward Sister Emma Smith, but only of pity and sorrow for the course she pursued. May her remains rest in peace." From Jenson's "Biographical Dictionary." Vol. I.
Grant, Carter. "Emma Hale Smith, the Prophet's Wife." Juvenile Instructor. March 1928. pg. 123-125.
Emma Hale Smith, the Prophet’s Wife[1]
By Carter Grant
To be a wife to the young persecuted Prophet, Joseph, carried grave responsibility. It is said that every person is given “a time to rise or fall under the pressure of responsibility.” Especially was this so while the “Laying of the Foundations” of our Church was in rapid progress. Emma was to be no exception to the rule.
Emma Hale met opposition from her parents and friends from the day she first fell in love with Joseph. This opposition expanded into a sea of un-reasonable, daily obstructions, heaped on by false friends and treacherous enemies. Every force that could be mustered was organized to prevent God’s kingdom from being again established.
Emma suffered so much persecution during “The Laying of the Foundations,” that we must respect her for the part she played. After the Church was organized and Emma was baptized, the young couple again went to the Hale home in Harmony. While there, in August, 1830, Newel Knight and his wife paid them a visit to learn more of the new Gospel. Neither Sister Knight nor Emma had been confirmed by the “Laying on of hands.” Joseph records “It was proposed that we should confirm them, and partake together of the Sacrament, before he and his wife should leave us. In order to prepare for this I set out to procure some wine for the occasion, but had gone only a short distance when I was met by a heavenly messenger, and received the following revelation.” (See Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 27—especially first four verses.) Emma then prepared some wine of their “own making.” Joseph exclaims, “We partook together of the Sacrament, after which we confirmed these two sisters into the Church, and spent the evening in a glorious manner. The Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon us, we praised the Lord God, and rejoiced exceedingly!” It is from this revelation that our first authority is given that later substituted water for wine in our Sacrament.
At this time Emma was twenty-five years of age. The Lord of Heaven spoke to her through Joseph her husband, July, 1830. (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 25.)—“Hearken unto the voice of the Lord your God, while I speak unto you, Emma Smith, my daughter, for verily I say unto you **Behold thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou art an elect lady whom I have called.** The office of thy calling shall
be for a comfort unto my servant, Joseph Smith, Jr., thy husband, in his afflictions with consoling- words in the spirit of meekness **Thou, shall lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better** and it shall be given thee also to make a selection of sacred hymns, etc. (Read it all.)
Soon after this Emma’s parents turned against their daughter because of the many lies told by a Methodist minister. With this parental influence severed, Emma and Joseph left the old Harmony home forever! Emma’s folks never joined the “New Church.” During that winter (January, 1831), Emma, with Joseph and others of the Church, made the long journey to Kirtland, Ohio. As Emma was “very sickly,” it was a hard trip through the intense cold. Three months later, April 30, 1831, twins were born to Emma, but they lived only three hours and died.. The parents were heart broken! Nine days later the Murdock motherless twins were adopted by Emma. She cared for the new babies as only an anxious mother could.
Eleven months later both children came down with a severe case of measles. Emma and Joseph watched over them night after night until both children took a slight change for the better. One, however, was still very bad. Joseph records “In the evening I told her, (Emma), she had better retire to rest with one of the children and I would watch the sicker child. In the night she told me I had better lie down on the trundle bed, and I did so, and was soon after awakened by her screaming ‘murder,’ when I found myself going out of the door, in the hands of about a dozen men, some of whose hands were in my hair, and some had hold of my shirt, drawers, and limbs.” Joseph fought the mob with his giant strength. Emma rushed also to his assistance but was forced back amid threats and curses. Joseph was then overpowered and choked until he fainted. “After I came to,” he says, “as they passed along with me about thirty rods from the house, I saw Sidney Rigdon stretched out on the ground, whither they had dragged him by his heels. I supposed he was dead.” The crowd flocked around, shouting to kill Joseph. Had the Devil and all his infernal followers suddenly donned mortality, their hideous and horrifying brutal assaults and profanity could hardly have been a match for these mobbers.
Emma could hear it all! She heard Joseph exclaim, “You will have mercy and spare my life, I hope!” To which they mocked “ye, call on your
God for help, we’ll show ye no mercy!” They then pounced upon Joseph, beating and scratching like wild-cats. The rest of his under clothing was torn from him and his body was bleeding. With a tar-paddle they smashed tar into his face and tried to “tar-up” his mouth, saying “ye, hold up yer head and let us give ye some tar.” “A man fell on me” exclaims Joseph, “and scratched my body with his nails like a mad cat, and then muttered, “ye, that’s the way the Holy Ghost falls on folks!” It’s all too terrible to relate!
After they had finished their shameful assault and fled, Joseph finally got back to the house. He had been beaten until he could hardly walk. “When I came to the door I was naked, and the tar made me look as if I were covered with blood, and when my wife saw me she thought I was all crushed to pieces, and fainted.” The rest of the night was spent scraping and removing the tar from Joseph’s bruised and bleeding body. During the mobbing one of the twins contracted a severe cold. Emma was frantic as it grew worse. Two days later it died. How would we feel under the same condition?
For the next six years in and around Emma’s home at Kirtland, persecution raged. On the night of Jan. 12, 1838, Joseph bade Emma good-bye. The mob was thirsting for his blood! While they were on his very heels, Joseph exclaimed, “Emma, I’ll wait for you sixty miles westward! The brethren will care for you. and bring you and the children!” All that wintry night Joseph and Sidney Rigdon rode forward on horseback. After being secretly joined by their families, they reached Far West, Mo., two months later. We can only guess the suffering during that one thousand miles of wintry travel.
As persecutions were as sore in Missouri as in Kirtland, the next year, 1839, the Saints were again on the move to Nauvoo, Ill. Here Emma’s family life was one round of sorrow brought on by wicked men watching her home regularly for her husband. One time a boisterous officer from Missouri burst suddenly into her room and made all sorts of threats against her if she did not tell where Joseph was hiding. Cannon says, “All kinds of tricks were tried in order to capture Joseph. A reward of $1,300.00 was offered for his arrest.” This was in the fall of 1842. The day after Emma and Joseph had celebrated Christmas, Wilson Law arrested Joseph and hurried him away from Emma and the children, to Springfield, Ill., for trial. Two weeks later Emma and her family were delighted at the Prophet’s release. Jan. 18th, 1843, Emma invited many of Joseph’s friends to a banquet. It was the fifteenth anniversary of their marriage.
March 17th, 1842, Emma was made the first president of the Female Relief Society Organization.
After Joseph’s martyrdom and the Saints were driven from Nauvoo, Emma’s faith failed her. She stayed at Nauvoo and married Lewis C. Bidamon, Dec. 23, 1847. She died April 30, 1879. The Deseret News of that date says, “To the old members of the Church the deceased was well known as a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and force of character.” She was the mother of seven children.— There is no feeling of bitterness in the hearts of the Saints toward Sister Emma Smith, but only of pity and sorrow for the course she pursued.” Let us hope that God will indeed be merciful and gracious toward Emma for her twenty years of faith and hardships during the “Laying of the Foundations” of the “New Church.”
[1] Helpful to pupils of Church History Department, see page 153.
Emma Hale Smith, the Prophet’s Wife[1]
By Carter Grant
To be a wife to the young persecuted Prophet, Joseph, carried grave responsibility. It is said that every person is given “a time to rise or fall under the pressure of responsibility.” Especially was this so while the “Laying of the Foundations” of our Church was in rapid progress. Emma was to be no exception to the rule.
Emma Hale met opposition from her parents and friends from the day she first fell in love with Joseph. This opposition expanded into a sea of un-reasonable, daily obstructions, heaped on by false friends and treacherous enemies. Every force that could be mustered was organized to prevent God’s kingdom from being again established.
Emma suffered so much persecution during “The Laying of the Foundations,” that we must respect her for the part she played. After the Church was organized and Emma was baptized, the young couple again went to the Hale home in Harmony. While there, in August, 1830, Newel Knight and his wife paid them a visit to learn more of the new Gospel. Neither Sister Knight nor Emma had been confirmed by the “Laying on of hands.” Joseph records “It was proposed that we should confirm them, and partake together of the Sacrament, before he and his wife should leave us. In order to prepare for this I set out to procure some wine for the occasion, but had gone only a short distance when I was met by a heavenly messenger, and received the following revelation.” (See Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 27—especially first four verses.) Emma then prepared some wine of their “own making.” Joseph exclaims, “We partook together of the Sacrament, after which we confirmed these two sisters into the Church, and spent the evening in a glorious manner. The Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon us, we praised the Lord God, and rejoiced exceedingly!” It is from this revelation that our first authority is given that later substituted water for wine in our Sacrament.
At this time Emma was twenty-five years of age. The Lord of Heaven spoke to her through Joseph her husband, July, 1830. (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 25.)—“Hearken unto the voice of the Lord your God, while I speak unto you, Emma Smith, my daughter, for verily I say unto you **Behold thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou art an elect lady whom I have called.** The office of thy calling shall
be for a comfort unto my servant, Joseph Smith, Jr., thy husband, in his afflictions with consoling- words in the spirit of meekness **Thou, shall lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better** and it shall be given thee also to make a selection of sacred hymns, etc. (Read it all.)
Soon after this Emma’s parents turned against their daughter because of the many lies told by a Methodist minister. With this parental influence severed, Emma and Joseph left the old Harmony home forever! Emma’s folks never joined the “New Church.” During that winter (January, 1831), Emma, with Joseph and others of the Church, made the long journey to Kirtland, Ohio. As Emma was “very sickly,” it was a hard trip through the intense cold. Three months later, April 30, 1831, twins were born to Emma, but they lived only three hours and died.. The parents were heart broken! Nine days later the Murdock motherless twins were adopted by Emma. She cared for the new babies as only an anxious mother could.
Eleven months later both children came down with a severe case of measles. Emma and Joseph watched over them night after night until both children took a slight change for the better. One, however, was still very bad. Joseph records “In the evening I told her, (Emma), she had better retire to rest with one of the children and I would watch the sicker child. In the night she told me I had better lie down on the trundle bed, and I did so, and was soon after awakened by her screaming ‘murder,’ when I found myself going out of the door, in the hands of about a dozen men, some of whose hands were in my hair, and some had hold of my shirt, drawers, and limbs.” Joseph fought the mob with his giant strength. Emma rushed also to his assistance but was forced back amid threats and curses. Joseph was then overpowered and choked until he fainted. “After I came to,” he says, “as they passed along with me about thirty rods from the house, I saw Sidney Rigdon stretched out on the ground, whither they had dragged him by his heels. I supposed he was dead.” The crowd flocked around, shouting to kill Joseph. Had the Devil and all his infernal followers suddenly donned mortality, their hideous and horrifying brutal assaults and profanity could hardly have been a match for these mobbers.
Emma could hear it all! She heard Joseph exclaim, “You will have mercy and spare my life, I hope!” To which they mocked “ye, call on your
God for help, we’ll show ye no mercy!” They then pounced upon Joseph, beating and scratching like wild-cats. The rest of his under clothing was torn from him and his body was bleeding. With a tar-paddle they smashed tar into his face and tried to “tar-up” his mouth, saying “ye, hold up yer head and let us give ye some tar.” “A man fell on me” exclaims Joseph, “and scratched my body with his nails like a mad cat, and then muttered, “ye, that’s the way the Holy Ghost falls on folks!” It’s all too terrible to relate!
After they had finished their shameful assault and fled, Joseph finally got back to the house. He had been beaten until he could hardly walk. “When I came to the door I was naked, and the tar made me look as if I were covered with blood, and when my wife saw me she thought I was all crushed to pieces, and fainted.” The rest of the night was spent scraping and removing the tar from Joseph’s bruised and bleeding body. During the mobbing one of the twins contracted a severe cold. Emma was frantic as it grew worse. Two days later it died. How would we feel under the same condition?
For the next six years in and around Emma’s home at Kirtland, persecution raged. On the night of Jan. 12, 1838, Joseph bade Emma good-bye. The mob was thirsting for his blood! While they were on his very heels, Joseph exclaimed, “Emma, I’ll wait for you sixty miles westward! The brethren will care for you. and bring you and the children!” All that wintry night Joseph and Sidney Rigdon rode forward on horseback. After being secretly joined by their families, they reached Far West, Mo., two months later. We can only guess the suffering during that one thousand miles of wintry travel.
As persecutions were as sore in Missouri as in Kirtland, the next year, 1839, the Saints were again on the move to Nauvoo, Ill. Here Emma’s family life was one round of sorrow brought on by wicked men watching her home regularly for her husband. One time a boisterous officer from Missouri burst suddenly into her room and made all sorts of threats against her if she did not tell where Joseph was hiding. Cannon says, “All kinds of tricks were tried in order to capture Joseph. A reward of $1,300.00 was offered for his arrest.” This was in the fall of 1842. The day after Emma and Joseph had celebrated Christmas, Wilson Law arrested Joseph and hurried him away from Emma and the children, to Springfield, Ill., for trial. Two weeks later Emma and her family were delighted at the Prophet’s release. Jan. 18th, 1843, Emma invited many of Joseph’s friends to a banquet. It was the fifteenth anniversary of their marriage.
March 17th, 1842, Emma was made the first president of the Female Relief Society Organization.
After Joseph’s martyrdom and the Saints were driven from Nauvoo, Emma’s faith failed her. She stayed at Nauvoo and married Lewis C. Bidamon, Dec. 23, 1847. She died April 30, 1879. The Deseret News of that date says, “To the old members of the Church the deceased was well known as a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and force of character.” She was the mother of seven children.— There is no feeling of bitterness in the hearts of the Saints toward Sister Emma Smith, but only of pity and sorrow for the course she pursued.” Let us hope that God will indeed be merciful and gracious toward Emma for her twenty years of faith and hardships during the “Laying of the Foundations” of the “New Church.”
[1] Helpful to pupils of Church History Department, see page 153.
Anderson, Audentia Smith. "Emma Smith--Church Hymns." Relief Society Magazine. March 1939. pg. 163-164.
Emma Smith — Church Hymns
By Audentia Smith Anderson,
(Granddaughter of the Prophet Joseph Smith and Emma Smith)
EMMA HALE was born July 10, 1804, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, and on January 18,1827, became the wife of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From that day she was his faithful companion, counselor and helpmate, sharing fully in the toils, dangers and privations of his short but eventful life.
Accompanying him on the memorable night in September, 1827, when he received, from an angelic messenger on Hill Cumorah, the ancient records of the Book of Mormon, from that moment she gave him full measure of sympathetic, intelligent cooperation in his efforts to preserve and translate them and to obey faithfully further commands of God. Many pages of the manuscript from which the first copy of the Book was printed are in her own clear, feminine handwriting, mute testimony today of her consecrated assistance in the task God had given her husband to do. That this writing must be done in the brief interims between busy household and farm duties, and despite weariness, or distress of body attendant upon child-bearing, only serves to emphasize the fine quality of her loyally to the man of her choice and his God- appointed mission.
It was fitting, therefore, that soon after the organization of the Church and her own baptism, she should receive, through him, a communication from the Lord. The message was one of encouragement and com-fort, and served to strengthen her faith and reliance upon God, and her determination to. serve Him to the end of her life.
A specific commission laid upon her in this divine message, however, directed her to make a selection of hymns for the use of the Church; “my soul delighteth in the song of the heart, yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads,” said the Lord.
Happily and with all diligence she entered upon the task assigned, ap-plying herself with such zeal, despite arduous toil and poverty, frequent removals from one home to another, occasional weakness of body (her twins were born the following April and her son Joseph late in 1832) and unremitting assistance given her husband in his various enterprises, that in less than two years she had made a sizable collection. In May, 1832, a council of the Church “ordered that W. W. Phelps correct and prepare the hymns which have been selected by Emma Smith in fulfillment of the revelation.”
The following month there appeared, in Independence, Missouri, the first issue of The Evening and Morning Star, in which number some hymns were printed, presumably from her collection. Other hymns followed in the monthly periodical during the year, but in July, 1833, the printing press and much material were destroyed. Up to the time of that regrettable event 26 hymns had been printed, but there is no evidence that an attempt had been made to put them into the form of a book. The printing of the revelations, which was begun, would doubtless have been given precedence over the publication of a songbook.
Emma’s collection made prior to this disaster must have been lost or destroyed, for after Brother Phelps returned to Kirtland, and the High Council organized in 1834, among the minutes of that body is recorded, dated September 14, 1835: “Emma Smith was appointed to make a selection of sacred hymns, to be arranged and revised for printing by W. W. Phelps.”
Accordingly a collection was published under the title: “A Selection of Sacred Hymns, by Emma Smith,” and contained 90 songs. This may have been the “L. D. S. Collection” from which were chosen the hymns sung at the dedication of the Temple, in March, 1836, which are referred to by page numbers in the minutes of that historical event.
Troubled years followed. With three small children Emma went from Ohio to Missouri, from which state, later, under the shameful extermination order of its Governor, she fled to Illinois, her little flock now numbering four. The same year of the settlement at Nauvoo, 1839, the Joint Council voted “that Sister Emma Smith select and publish a hymnbook for the use of the church,” and in 1841 this was done. It was of “vest-pocket” size and contained 304 hymns, among which were many that are- still familiarly sung in our churches. Emma was well educated for the times in which she lived, and used discriminating and admirable taste in choosing her songs. Some were old standard favorites in use in other denominations, but many were written by various members of the Church for use on special occasions, or under the gentle impulsion of divine inspiration.
Her ability along musical lines— or was it a gift bestowed when she was divinely called to the work?— was recognized by the Reorganized Church, which she joined in i860, and she was requested to make a selection of hymns. This she did, and a collection of 249 hymns was published. Three years later another edition, consisting of 286 hymns, was printed—a result, doubtless, wholly or in part, of her interested labors.
Emma Smith possessed an unusually fine voice. Often in the assemblies of the Saints she would ac-company the congregational singing with an improvised obligato, her clear, high soprano soaring, true and beautiful, above the harmonies of the ensemble tones below. Fond of music, she sang about her work, with her children and neighbors. Often of an evening a small group of friends, gathered in her home or on its porch, would comfort and encourage themselves and each other by singing together the songs of Zion. This love of music she bequeathed to her children, and children’s children. Her youngest son, David, was called “The Sweet Singer of Israel,” his gift expressing itself both in songs and poems.
Emma’s oldest son, my father, shared his mother’s love for music and song, and gave his children such advantages of study along those lines he could afford. His own voice, much like his mother’s, had that peculiar, vibrant, ringing quality that made it easily heard even in the songs of large assemblies.
Emma Smith — Church Hymns
By Audentia Smith Anderson,
(Granddaughter of the Prophet Joseph Smith and Emma Smith)
EMMA HALE was born July 10, 1804, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, and on January 18,1827, became the wife of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From that day she was his faithful companion, counselor and helpmate, sharing fully in the toils, dangers and privations of his short but eventful life.
Accompanying him on the memorable night in September, 1827, when he received, from an angelic messenger on Hill Cumorah, the ancient records of the Book of Mormon, from that moment she gave him full measure of sympathetic, intelligent cooperation in his efforts to preserve and translate them and to obey faithfully further commands of God. Many pages of the manuscript from which the first copy of the Book was printed are in her own clear, feminine handwriting, mute testimony today of her consecrated assistance in the task God had given her husband to do. That this writing must be done in the brief interims between busy household and farm duties, and despite weariness, or distress of body attendant upon child-bearing, only serves to emphasize the fine quality of her loyally to the man of her choice and his God- appointed mission.
It was fitting, therefore, that soon after the organization of the Church and her own baptism, she should receive, through him, a communication from the Lord. The message was one of encouragement and com-fort, and served to strengthen her faith and reliance upon God, and her determination to. serve Him to the end of her life.
A specific commission laid upon her in this divine message, however, directed her to make a selection of hymns for the use of the Church; “my soul delighteth in the song of the heart, yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads,” said the Lord.
Happily and with all diligence she entered upon the task assigned, ap-plying herself with such zeal, despite arduous toil and poverty, frequent removals from one home to another, occasional weakness of body (her twins were born the following April and her son Joseph late in 1832) and unremitting assistance given her husband in his various enterprises, that in less than two years she had made a sizable collection. In May, 1832, a council of the Church “ordered that W. W. Phelps correct and prepare the hymns which have been selected by Emma Smith in fulfillment of the revelation.”
The following month there appeared, in Independence, Missouri, the first issue of The Evening and Morning Star, in which number some hymns were printed, presumably from her collection. Other hymns followed in the monthly periodical during the year, but in July, 1833, the printing press and much material were destroyed. Up to the time of that regrettable event 26 hymns had been printed, but there is no evidence that an attempt had been made to put them into the form of a book. The printing of the revelations, which was begun, would doubtless have been given precedence over the publication of a songbook.
Emma’s collection made prior to this disaster must have been lost or destroyed, for after Brother Phelps returned to Kirtland, and the High Council organized in 1834, among the minutes of that body is recorded, dated September 14, 1835: “Emma Smith was appointed to make a selection of sacred hymns, to be arranged and revised for printing by W. W. Phelps.”
Accordingly a collection was published under the title: “A Selection of Sacred Hymns, by Emma Smith,” and contained 90 songs. This may have been the “L. D. S. Collection” from which were chosen the hymns sung at the dedication of the Temple, in March, 1836, which are referred to by page numbers in the minutes of that historical event.
Troubled years followed. With three small children Emma went from Ohio to Missouri, from which state, later, under the shameful extermination order of its Governor, she fled to Illinois, her little flock now numbering four. The same year of the settlement at Nauvoo, 1839, the Joint Council voted “that Sister Emma Smith select and publish a hymnbook for the use of the church,” and in 1841 this was done. It was of “vest-pocket” size and contained 304 hymns, among which were many that are- still familiarly sung in our churches. Emma was well educated for the times in which she lived, and used discriminating and admirable taste in choosing her songs. Some were old standard favorites in use in other denominations, but many were written by various members of the Church for use on special occasions, or under the gentle impulsion of divine inspiration.
Her ability along musical lines— or was it a gift bestowed when she was divinely called to the work?— was recognized by the Reorganized Church, which she joined in i860, and she was requested to make a selection of hymns. This she did, and a collection of 249 hymns was published. Three years later another edition, consisting of 286 hymns, was printed—a result, doubtless, wholly or in part, of her interested labors.
Emma Smith possessed an unusually fine voice. Often in the assemblies of the Saints she would ac-company the congregational singing with an improvised obligato, her clear, high soprano soaring, true and beautiful, above the harmonies of the ensemble tones below. Fond of music, she sang about her work, with her children and neighbors. Often of an evening a small group of friends, gathered in her home or on its porch, would comfort and encourage themselves and each other by singing together the songs of Zion. This love of music she bequeathed to her children, and children’s children. Her youngest son, David, was called “The Sweet Singer of Israel,” his gift expressing itself both in songs and poems.
Emma’s oldest son, my father, shared his mother’s love for music and song, and gave his children such advantages of study along those lines he could afford. His own voice, much like his mother’s, had that peculiar, vibrant, ringing quality that made it easily heard even in the songs of large assemblies.
Young, S. Dilworth. "Emma Hale and Joseph Smith." Instructor. February 1969. pg. center.
Emma Hale and Joseph Smith
BY ELDER S. DILWORTH YOUNG
of the First Council of the Seventy
Tall and stately,
She walked in the October woods,
Her deep brown hair soft in the
Indian Summer light,
Her eyes, dark and luminous,
Catching every nuance
Of the shadows as evening
Descended on the landscape.
Had he noticed the blood-red
Of the oak tree? Or has
Yon maple impressed him
That it is the most beautiful
Tree in the forest? See how
It wears its evening dress
Of gold and orange.
Has he seen how the
Rich yellow of the
Gracious birch blends into
The riotous color?
Does the wild honking
Of the fast-flying geese
High in the sky, the setting
Sun catching their swift
Flight, fill him with
Aching, undefined longing?
He, tall and muscular
Strode easily by her side,
His blond hair blending
Into the mood of the
Forest on that October day,
His blue eyes were on her.
What beauty of the wild
Can match beauty seen
With the eyes of love?
They paused beside
A rustic bench, and
Watched the quiet river
Lapping at its banks,
A mirror of the glory of
The trees.
And then he spoke
Please do not suspect the words
That I would speak,
The honorable intent
Is in my heart
To make you mine.
I am not as ordinary men,
To range the hills, plow land, turn sod,
Marry and improve a farm.
Nor can I be.
My destiny is pointed out to me
By the Lord God.
Please hear me out!
Five years ago
The morning dew of
Spring was on the land,
I went into the woods
To pray.
The vision which then
Burst upon my sight was
So glorious I cannot
Begin to tell the half of it,
And in the light
Stood God, our Father,
And with him was
The Lord. They spoke
To me.
I did not ask to have
An answer thus, but
To my question, put
In simple faith, they said
To join no church,
That I would be
A prophet, called of God,
Raised up to bring to earth
Once more,
His church,
Its power to restore.
I then received no word for
Three long years.
Then just two years ago
An angel came and took
Me to a hill, and showed
Me plates of gold, engraved
In ancient characters,
Old indeed.
It is God's will, he said,
That I should
Translate fair their
Meaning to the world.
He came again a month ago
And he will come again for
Two more years to teach me
What to do.
I do not know what lies in
Store for me,
How much of poverty, of persecution,
Of martyrdom perhaps.
Can you find it in your heart
To share my destiny?
Can you believe the things I say to you?
I must stand true
To God.
I will he strong to hear
The tests which come
If you are by my side.
I love you more than life,
I pledge to make you happy
As I can
If you will be my wife.
There was a long silence.
The stream lapped gently at its banks
Reflecting the forest mood,
The glory of the fall.
Then she spoke:
I believe you.
I love you, too,
And will join you till I die.
Emma Hale and Joseph Smith
BY ELDER S. DILWORTH YOUNG
of the First Council of the Seventy
Tall and stately,
She walked in the October woods,
Her deep brown hair soft in the
Indian Summer light,
Her eyes, dark and luminous,
Catching every nuance
Of the shadows as evening
Descended on the landscape.
Had he noticed the blood-red
Of the oak tree? Or has
Yon maple impressed him
That it is the most beautiful
Tree in the forest? See how
It wears its evening dress
Of gold and orange.
Has he seen how the
Rich yellow of the
Gracious birch blends into
The riotous color?
Does the wild honking
Of the fast-flying geese
High in the sky, the setting
Sun catching their swift
Flight, fill him with
Aching, undefined longing?
He, tall and muscular
Strode easily by her side,
His blond hair blending
Into the mood of the
Forest on that October day,
His blue eyes were on her.
What beauty of the wild
Can match beauty seen
With the eyes of love?
They paused beside
A rustic bench, and
Watched the quiet river
Lapping at its banks,
A mirror of the glory of
The trees.
And then he spoke
Please do not suspect the words
That I would speak,
The honorable intent
Is in my heart
To make you mine.
I am not as ordinary men,
To range the hills, plow land, turn sod,
Marry and improve a farm.
Nor can I be.
My destiny is pointed out to me
By the Lord God.
Please hear me out!
Five years ago
The morning dew of
Spring was on the land,
I went into the woods
To pray.
The vision which then
Burst upon my sight was
So glorious I cannot
Begin to tell the half of it,
And in the light
Stood God, our Father,
And with him was
The Lord. They spoke
To me.
I did not ask to have
An answer thus, but
To my question, put
In simple faith, they said
To join no church,
That I would be
A prophet, called of God,
Raised up to bring to earth
Once more,
His church,
Its power to restore.
I then received no word for
Three long years.
Then just two years ago
An angel came and took
Me to a hill, and showed
Me plates of gold, engraved
In ancient characters,
Old indeed.
It is God's will, he said,
That I should
Translate fair their
Meaning to the world.
He came again a month ago
And he will come again for
Two more years to teach me
What to do.
I do not know what lies in
Store for me,
How much of poverty, of persecution,
Of martyrdom perhaps.
Can you find it in your heart
To share my destiny?
Can you believe the things I say to you?
I must stand true
To God.
I will he strong to hear
The tests which come
If you are by my side.
I love you more than life,
I pledge to make you happy
As I can
If you will be my wife.
There was a long silence.
The stream lapped gently at its banks
Reflecting the forest mood,
The glory of the fall.
Then she spoke:
I believe you.
I love you, too,
And will join you till I die.