How much can one heart take? These words from a beautiful song called Emma, written by Jason Deere, and sung by Katherine Nelson (who played Emma in the Joseph and Emma movies), has caused me to ponder: How would my heart respond?  

Emma Hale was born on July 10, 1804, in Harmony, Pennsylvania. One of eight children, she was “fine looking, smart, a good singer, and she often got the power.” (This said by a friend who alluded to a gift Emma seemed to have.)  She was also tall, noble, dignified, had dark hair and eyes, benevolent and patient. Emma was also a skilled midwife, herbalist, and she loved her garden.  

Forced to Leave Her Family Behind

Joseph lived at the Hale home while working for a neighbor. The two immediately connected, but because her father did not like Joseph, they eloped on January 18, 1827. Together they had nine children, plus the two Murdock children they adopted. She buried six of these children in three different states as they continued to move westward, searching for peace. Her family never accepted the gospel and she had to leave them all behind.

Emma was with Joseph when he got the plates. She was really the first witness of the Restoration. Many scholars consider the idea that in order to get the plates Joseph had to be married, and they receive them as a Couple. However, Emma never saw the plates with her own eyes. She said it was not something she needed in order to believe; she trusted Joseph implicitly.

Forced to Flee from Mobs

She was baptized on June 28, 1830, by Oliver Cowdery, surrounded by an outraged mob. Joseph was arrested that very evening.  It was six weeks before Joseph would return. Emma’s blessing, which became Section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants, was given to her upon his return, before she was actually confirmed a member of the Church. Emma worked hard for the next five years as she selected appropriate hymns for a hymnbook.  

More than once, she was forced to flee for her life in driving rain and freezing snow. Emma traveled from Kirtland to Missouri alone with three children, expecting a fourth, in the middle of winter. Much of her stay in Missouri was spent separated from her husband. She crossed over the frozen Mississippi with four children hanging on her, as well as the manuscript of the inspired version of the Bible wrapped in her skirts.

Relief Society

When Joseph organized the Relief Society, the women actually nominated Emma as president, to Joseph’s satisfaction. Just a few weeks earlier she had delivered a stillborn child. At this time, Joseph gave her a blessing recalling Section 25; pronouncing the fulfillment of her calling as an “Elect Lady”, as well as her commission to “expound the scriptures to all; and to teach the female part of the community.”

Joseph told the sisters that they “would come in possession of the privileges, blessings, and gifts of the priesthood”, as well as “hold a portion of the priesthood in connection with their husbands”. Emma had already been set apart as an “Elect Lady”, so John Taylor proceeded to set her counselors apart and pronounce a blessing upon their heads. Her first counselor, Elizabeth Ann Whitney, had opened her arms, and her home, to Emma when the Smiths arrived in Kirtland and they remained dear friends. Sarah Cleveland, her second counselor, had likewise taken Emma in after that appalling trek across the Mississippi, in the driving snow, at Quincy.

Leadership was clearly one of Emma’s gifts. It was she who insisted on the name of Relief Society. She challenged the sisters to “be at the post” and “Now is the time when all must live by faith or fail…the powers of darkness are loosed upon us…all must be faithful or be overcome!” Her words, “We are going to do Something Extraordinary” has been our waving flag. Emma’s ultimate message to the Relief Society was Unity, Purity, and Charity.  

Emma had a long history of service. In New York, she sewed clothing for the missionaries being sent to preach to the Lamanites. In Kirtland, she worked with other women to collect blankets, food, and clothing for the men to take to those destitute in Missouri. She helped prepare meals and made clothing for the workmen building the Kirtland Temple. She set an example of virtue, generosity, kindness, and selfless service for the women of the Church. As President, Emma led the sisters in active defenses of their prophet. She had Eliza write up a petition, that was signed by one thousand women, and with a delegation, presented it to Governor Carlin, of Illinois. Sadly, as they sat in his office pleading for Joseph’s life, “the wily Governor was secretly conniving with the basest of men to destroy our leaders.”

Joseph was in jail often and for long periods. They wrote beautiful letters to one another.  She was left to encounter difficult situations alone. Her first real home was in Nauvoo, and even then her doors were always open, caring for the homeless and the sick. She and Joseph found themselves sleeping on the floor many many times. The census stated that eleven people lived in their two room home. At one time, the Old Homestead (their home) was actually turned into a hospital. A tent was set up in the yard to cover the overflow of patients.  

Polygamy

Joseph and Emma were sealed for time and all eternity on May 28, 1843, in the Old Homestead, on a Sunday evening. She was the first woman in this dispensation to receive her endowment, and the only woman to receive it by Joseph’s hand. She then administered it to other women in the temple. Along with the revelation of the endowment, and sealing families together, came the practice of plural marriage. Emma seemed to understand, and even accept it, when she announced, “I will give you two wives if you will let me choose them.” She chose Emily and Eliza Partridge. She taught the girls about plural marriage. But in the end, it was just too difficult for her to accept. Their hired girl recorded a conversation she had with Emma, who said, “You heard me finding fault with the principle. I want to say that the principle is right, it is from our Father in Heaven…but I am jealous-hearted. Now never tell anybody that you heard me find fault with Joseph or that principle.”

In her patriarchal blessing, given in December 1834, she was told, “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.”  As Joseph prepared to take his final ride to Carthage, Emma asked for a blessing. He told her to write out her deepest desires and he would sign it. The blessing was written, but never signed.

Unanswered Blessing

The blessing said, in part, “That I may be able to comprehend the designs of God when revealed through his servants without doubting. To honor and respect my husband as my head and by acting in unison with him retain the place which God has given me by his side. To perform all the work I covenanted to perform in the Spirit World. I desire that whatever may be my lot through life, I may be enabled to acknowledge the hand of God in all things.”

Emma wrote these words in a letter to her son, Joseph III, in 1869, “I have seen many, yes very many, trying scenes in my life which I could not see…where any good could come of them…But yet I feel a divine trust in God that all things shall work for good.” At another time she said, “I have always avoided talking to my children about having anything to do in the Church, for I have suffered so much I have dreaded to have them take any part in it…”

Hurt, Worn Out, Left Behind–She Never Denied the Faith

On the anniversary of Joseph’s birth, Dec 23, 1847, Emma married “Major” Lewis Bidamon. Ironically, Emma would raise her husband’s illegitimate child, and even take in the mother of that child. Emma died on April 30, 1879. Her husband and children were present. A few days before she passed, Joseph appeared to her. She was able to relate how Joseph took her to a mansion where one of her lost children waited. Joseph promised her she would have all of her children. She also said she saw the Lord standing next to Joseph.

Additional Posts on Emma:

Emma’s Hymns

The Rift Between Emma and Brigham

How Much Can One Heart Take

Sources:

Derr, Cannon, Beecher, Women of Covenant.  

Teachings of Presidents of the Church—Joseph Smith

Buddy Youngreen, Reflections of Emma    

Gracia Jones, Emma and Lucy