Emma Smith: My Story

This film is an important companion to "Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration" and not just because it features unused footage from that movie. The purpose of "Emma Smith: My Story" is to portray the Restoration from the perspective of not only Emma but of the whole Smith family. The involvement of The Joseph Smith and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society creates another purpose of the movie, that of preservation of this point of view for the posterity. It will be hard to critique this film because of its close ties to its predecessor. The reason why I probably won't blog about "Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration" is because that movie was not released commercially but instead privately. "Emma" on the other hand was shown in theaters and that is where I first saw it.

One subject that is touched upon in this movie and not in its companion film is polygamy. This is an important part of the Joseph Smith story but because it must be understood correctly, it was mentioned only in this film. Those who do not understand the true reason why Joseph Smith married other women also fail to acknowledge how hard it was for Joseph himself to obey this commandment from the Lord. "Emma Smith: My Story" makes this point very clear. Emma is the central character thanks to the framing device. Much of the movie focuses on Joseph Smith however but that makes sense. Both were united in one cause, which was Joseph's calling and mission. My favorite storyline from this film that was not included in "The Prophet of the Restoration" concerns the spiritual trial that Parley P. Pratt went through. It is quite dramatic. I love the score incorporates hymns, especially "If You Could Hie to Kolob".

I have friends with the son of co-director and cinematographer T.C. Christensen. I also am a student of the editor of this movie, Wynn Hougaard. He also edited "Meet the Mormons". Emma Smith was an important part of the Restoration and one of the most amazing women of recent history, hence the creation of this film. "Emma Smith: My Story" seems very appealing to those who are descendants of Joseph and Emma but can also accomplish the same goal of proclaiming the gospel as "The Prophet of the Restoration". The two films really feel like a set. Most people might judge Emma for abandoning the church that was restored through her husband but after what she went through, only God can honestly judge Emma. That is another theme of this movie.

4 Stars