Emma Hale Smith

1804-1879

Seventh of nine children. She was a tall, attractive young woman, dark-complexioned, with brown eyes and black hair. Wife of Joseph Smith-Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Made a selection of sacred hymns. First President of the Relief Society. Had 14 Children (housed at least 18) Birthed 9. Adopted 2 (twins), Stepchildren 3 and 6 babies died.

Emma Hale Smith participated and contributed as much if not more than any other historical character in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has left a rich legacy for all mankind.

The Prophet's mother, Lucy Mack Smith, had always admired Emma. "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," she wrote, "with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she has ever done"

A Contemporary of Emma

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 favors and kindness."

Emma & Joseph

Joseph 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!"

A Woman of Hope

Joseph's death occurred on 27 June 1844. The Saints' exodus from Nauvoo took place a year and a half later, leaving Emma, a 41-year-old widow, with her aged mother-in-law, Lucy Mack Smith, and five children, ranging in age from fourteen years to fifteen months old, to care for. She had little means to provide for her family in a deserted city. In December 1847, she married Major Louis C. Bidamon. With his help she reared her children and was stepmother to Louis's two daughters. Emma and Louis cared for Joseph's mother until she died on 14 May 1856. By 1872, Major Bidamon had built a new home for Emma on the foundation where there would have been a grand hotel had Joseph lived to complete it. Emma lived her last seven years peacefully in the Riverside Mansion.

Although Emma's life was filled with much persecution and sorrow, even bitterness on occasion, it appears that Emma endured her tribulations with great forbearance and maintained her faith in God. Writing to her son in 1869, she said, "I have seen many, yes very many, trying scenes in my life which I could not see where any good could come of them." She added this testimony: "But yet I feel a divine trust in God, That all things shall work for good."

A Strong Testimony of the Restoration

That Emma maintained a lifelong commitment to Joseph as a prophet and to the authenticity of the Book of Mormon is well-documented. The Relief Society minutes for March 1844 show her reasoning: "If he [Joseph Smith] was a prophet, which he is," Emma said. Long years later, Emma said to Parley P. Pratt, who visited her in Nauvoo, "I believe he [Joseph] was everything he professed to be." In an interview with her sons a few months before she died, Emma bore testimony: "My belief is that the Book of Mormon is of divine authenticity. I have not the slightest doubt of it. Though I was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, and was present during the translation of the plates and had cognizance of things as they transpired, it is marvelous to me, a marvel and a wonder, as much as to anyone else." Describing her experience, she said: "The plates often lay on the table without any attempt at concealment, wrapped in a small linen tablecloth which I had given him [Joseph] to fold them in. I once felt the plates as they lay on the table, tracing their outline and shape. They seemed to be pliable like thick paper, and would rustle with a metallic sound when the edges were moved by the thumb, as one does sometimes thumb the edges of a book." She also testified, "I know Mormonism to be the truth; and believe the church to have been established by divine direction."

Remarriage

Stayed in Nauvoo after Joseph's martyrdom. Three years later married Major Louis C. Bidamon and took care of his 2 children. Her home, the Nauvoo House was used as a hotel for a period of time. Continued to live her life with genteel qualities, meeting adversity and difficulty with grace and equanimity. Basked in the love of her children and grandchildren. Died at the age of 75.

Vision

Sister Elizabeth Revel, Emma's nurse, explained that Emma had told her that Joseph came to her in a vision and said, "Emma, come with me, it is time for you to come with me." As Emma related it, she said, "I put on my bonnet and my shawl and went with him; I did not think that it was anything unusual. I went with him into a mansion, and he showed me through the different apartments of that beautiful mansion. And one room was the nursery. In that nursery was a babe in the cradle. She said, 'I knew my babe, my Don Carlos that was taken from me.' She sprang forward, caught the child up in her arms, and wept with joy over the child. When Emma recovered herself sufficiently she turned to Joseph and said, 'Joseph, where are the rest of my children? He said to her, 'Emma, be patient and you shall have all of your children.' Then she saw standing by his side a personage of light, even the Lord Jesus Christ.'"

Final Words

In her last years, she was greatly loved, and in the last hours of her life she was attended by her family: Louis Bidamon, Julia, Joseph III, and Alexander. According to Alexander, Emma seemed to sink away, but then she raised up and stretched out her hand, calling, "Joseph! Joseph!" Falling back on Alexander's arm, she clasped her hands on her bosom, and her spirit was gone.

Conclusion

Joseph was a father and a husband, and he loved his wife and children dearly. Emma was indeed his faithful companion in the Restoration. She was unwavering in her devotion to the Prophet and her commitment to the work. She was there, assisting in the translation of the Book of Mormon. She was there as her beloved husband was torn from her bosom and family time and again. She was there to cleanse his wounds, remove the tar, and comfort his soul. And she was there to lay his body in a hidden, unmarked grave.

Descendants

Of her descendants, Joseph III, who was eleven when his father was killed, became president of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the RLDS church) in 1860. He died in 1914. Alexander became a longtime missionary, a counselor in the first presidency, and finally presiding patriarch in the RLDS church. He died in 1909. Frederick, never having been baptized, preceded his mother in death by seventeen years, dying in 1862. Two years before Emma's death, her youngest son, David, in whom Emma had found solace in her widowhood, was diagnosed as having "brain fever" and was committed to Illinois State Asylum. Emma referred to David's condition as a living trouble. David died in 1904. Her surviving adopted daughter, Julia Murdock Middleton, joined the Catholic Church.

Today, Emma's descendants number more than two thousand, with about seven hundred living. They are scattered throughout the world, embracing many diverse religions and ideologies. Most are uninformed regarding Emma's testimony and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Written by: Gracia N. Jones. Honored by: The Mothers Legacy Project

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