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JosephSmithSr.
So shall it be with my father: he shall be called a prince over his posterity, holding the keys of the patriarchal priesthood over the kingdom of God on earth, even the Church of the Latter Day Saints, and he shall sit in the general assembly of patriarchs, even in council with the Ancient of Days when he shall sit and all the patriarchs with him and shall enjoy his right and authority under the direction of the Ancient of Days. |
HALE, Emma
1804 - 1879 (74 years) 
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Name HALE, Emma Birth 10 Jul 1804 Harmony, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, United States 
[1] Gender Female _TAG Locked By FS _TAG Reviewed on FS Death 30 Apr 1879 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, United States [1, 2] Burial 3 May 1879 Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, United States Headstones 
Submit Headstone Photo Person ID I27 Joseph Smith Sr and Lucy Mack Smith Last Modified 19 Aug 2021
Father HALE, Isaac , b. 21 Mar 1763, Waterbury, New Haven, Connecticut, United States Waterbury, New Haven, Connecticut, United Statesd. 11 Jan 1839, Harmony, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, United States (Age 75 years) Mother LEWIS, Elizabeth , b. 19 Nov 1767, Goshen, Litchfield, Connecticut, United States Goshen, Litchfield, Connecticut, United Statesd. 16 Feb 1842, Harmony, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, United States (Age 74 years) Marriage 28 Sep 1790 Wells, Rutland, Vermont Notes - ~SEALING_SPOUSE: Also shown as SealSp 16 Jun 1926, SLAKE.MARRIAGE: Also shown as Married 20 Sep 1790 ~SEALING_SPOUSE: Also shown as SealSp 30 Sep 1971, SLAKE.
Family ID F31 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 1 BIDAMAN, Major Lewis Crum , b. 16 Jan 1804, Smithfield, Isle of Wight, Virginia, United States Smithfield, Isle of Wight, Virginia, United Statesd. 11 Feb 1891, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, United States (Age 87 years) Family ID F30 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 24 Jan 2022
Family 2 SMITH, Joseph Jr. , b. 23 Dec 1805, Sharon, Windsor, Vermont, United States Sharon, Windsor, Vermont, United Statesd. 27 Jun 1844, Carthage, Hancock, Illinois, United States (Age 38 years) Marriage 18 Jan 1827 Bainbridge, Chenango, New York Notes - ~SEALING_SPOUSE: Also shown as SealSp 25 Aug 1897, SLAKE. Ordinance records for Emma's sealing to Joseph was lost. On 26 January 1978 action was taken which ratified the previous ordinance work for the record. (Letter from Henry E Christiansen, to Gracia Denning, explained the procedure which settle the difficulty of lack of records.) Any ordinances not done up to that date were completed for the entire family group and all work was completed on 26 January 1978. A year later Andrew F. Ehat discovered the documentation for the original ordinance written in code in Heber C. Kimball's journal. This is now published in The Diary of Heber C. Kimball, on the Potter's wheel. At the time this procedure was done the infant son who did not survive his birth was listed as having been born 26 December 1842. This has since been proven incorrect as the record in Emma's own hand writing dates his birth/death as 6 February 1842, as is reflected in the family group herein.~SEALING_SPOUSE: Also shown as SealSp 25 Aug 1897, SLAKE. ~SEALING_SPOUSE: Also shown as SealSp 25 Aug 1897, SLAKE.
Children9 sons and 2 daughters Family ID F15 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 24 Jan 2022
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Notes - They were married at South Bainbridge which is now called Afton, New York Here Joseph and Emma were married at the home of Squire Tarbill. Opposition to this marriage on the part of Emma's parents caused the couple to elope from her parents' home in Harmony. (Town called Oakland, Penn. today.) For nearly a year after the marriage they lived at Joseph's parents in Manchester, New York until persecution in that area forced them to move back to Harmony in Dec. 1827. Joseph purchased a small home and 13.5 acres from Emma's father, Isaac Hale, for $200 and lived there for 3 years. She was baptized at Colesville, New York which is now called Ninevah, New York. She is buried with her husband Joseph Smith Junior on the Smith family property in Nauvoo, Illinois She married a 2nd time to Lewis C. Bidamon BIRTH: Also shown as Born Harmony now Oakland, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. DEATH: Also shown as Died Nauvoo, Hancok, Illinois. ~ENDOWMENT: Also shown as Endowed 26 Jan 1978, SLAKE. ~ENDOWMENT: Also shown as Endowed 28 Sep 1843 ~ENDOWMENT: Also shown as Endowed 26 Jan 1978, SLAKE. This pertains to the ratification of her ordinances by the First Presidency on that date. ~ENDOWMENT: Also shown as Endowed 28 Sep 1843-- this is according to a record in Heber C. Kimball's diary. ~SEALING_TO_PARENTS: Also shown as SealPar 20 Jan 1993, OGDEN. There are many dates in the records for her sealing to her parents. ~ENDOWMENT: Also shown as Endowed 28 Sep 1843, NAUVO. My Tribute to Emma Hale Smith - In examining scriptural passages to help me seek and apply wisdom to enrich my life, I found a Cultural Refinement lesson explanation very valuable. In the apocryphal book, the Wisdom of Solomon, I read that "wisdom is a loving spirit," suggesting that wisdom is knowledge applied lovingly and for the right reasons. I could come to wisdom if and when I come to God, who is love. As young Joseph Smith studied the scriptures, the words in James 1:5 drew his attention and prompted him to seek wisdom through prayer. Joseph's search for truth led to the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The scriptures are spiritual textbooks and literary masterpieces. They point to God as being the source of all wisdom My faith in him and the inspiration I gain from him helps me to enrich my knowledge with insight and understanding. In Proverbs 3:13-35, I read of the value of wisdom in a poetic statement. In this passage the poet might have said, "Wisdom is extremely valuable." But he chose, instead, to use techniques, or "poetic devices," to say the same thing in a way that is more vivid and more memorable. He hopes to give us an experience through words that will help us understand the value of wisdom. I try to visualize the ideas of the poet. In Proverbs 3:13 I read, "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding." The verse begins with the statement, "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom" Then, the second half of the sentence repeats the idea but uses the word "understanding instead of wisdom. After this statement, the poet showed me why one should be happy to have wisdom. He compared seemingly unlike things to suggest a likeness. In these verses he compares the gaining of wisdom to the gaining of worldly wealth. "For the merchandise of it (wisdom) is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. "She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her" (verses 14-15). The author compared wisdom with silver, gold, and rubies, and makes wisdom even more value in a final comparison by declaring her to be more valuable than all things. Then I learned the characteristics of wisdom --the profit to the individual, and by implication, to those whose good fortune it is to be in the company of wise persons. "Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace" (verses 16-17). (Now a comparison of wisdom with nature): "She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is every one that retaineth her" (verse 18). Then God is the source of wisdom: "The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. "By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew" (verses 19-20). I read these and tried to understand by my own experiences and thoughts. This poem gave me advice on how to achieve wisdom that could be applied to my life. I read verses 21-34 and asked myself; Which instructions apply most to me? Which promises would I desire most? How can these ideas increase my faith? My knowledge? How can my own experience change into wisdom, so that the first half of verse 35 can be my own promise? "The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools" (verse 35). I perceived through these verses that wisdom is more than knowledge, experience, and insight. It is those qualities combined, anchored in faith, enlightened by inspiration, and transferred to action. To paraphrase the scriptural passages, the value of wisdom cannot be measured; the source of wisdom is God; the exercise of wisdom is righteous living. The scriptures make clear that the greatest and most desirable result of a person gaining wisdom is that she will keep the commandments of God. Alma, in a discourse to his son Helaman, said: "O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God" (Alma 37:35). Paul also points out the things that a wise person will do: "We...do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness" (Colossians 1:9-11). Both of these passages -- and many others -- emphasize the same message. God is the fount of all wisdom, and keeping his commandments is the greatest exercise of wisdom. I found a wonderful statement and promise in the Doctrine and Covenants: "See not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich" (C&C 6:7). "Seek not for riches but for wisdom." Emma Smith was undoubtedly familiar with the promise in the Doctrine and Covenants, as well as with other scriptures commending wisdom to us. When the Prophet Joseph made the decision to return to Carthage, that fateful decision that would lead to his death, Emma asked her husband to give her a blessing. The Prophet told her to write the best blessing she could desire. He promised her that upon his return, he would sign it for her. Emma wrote the blessing, but the Prophet never returned from Carthage. Emma's words show that the greatest desire of her heart was for wisdom. "First of all that I would crave as the richest of heaven's blessings would be wisdom from my Heavenly Father bestowed daily, so that whatever I might do or say, I could not look back at the close of the day with regret, nor neglect the performance of any act that would bring a blessing. I desire that Spirit of God to know and understand myself, that I might be able to overcome whatever of tradition or nature that would not tend to my exaltation in the eternal worlds. I desire a fruitful, active mind, that I may be able to comprehend the designs of God, when revealed through His servants without doubting. I desire the spirit of discernment, which is one of the promised blessings of the Holy Ghost. "I particularly desire wisdom to bring up all the children that are, or may be committed to my charge, in such a manner that they will be useful ornaments in the Kingdom of God, and in a coming day arise up and call me blessed. "I desire prudence that I may not through ambition abuse my body and cause it to become prematurely old and care-worn, but that I may wear a cheerful countenance, live to perform all the work that I covenanted to perform in the spirit-world and be a blessing to all who may in any wise need aught at my hands. "I desire with all my heart to honor and respect my husband as my head, ever to live in his confidence and by acting in unison with him retain the place which God has given me by his side. I desire to see that I may rejoice with (the daughters of Eve) in the blessings which God has in store for all who are willing to be obedient to His requirements. Finally, I desire that whatever may be my lot through life I may be enabled to acknowledge the hand of God in all things" (manuscript copy kept in Church Historical Department). Evidently, Emma felt a great need for this gift of the Spirit. I echo these scriptural statement about wisdom in the longing of Emma's heart. I know that for me, too wisdom is an active force in all aspects of my life and I can greatly improve the quality of each of my days. Wisdom is indeed a gift of the Spirit. In 1 Corinthians, "For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit" (Chapter 12:8). Wisdom may come as a gift or I may have to strive to obtain that gift. How wonderful it is to have the guidelines of the scriptures to help me to clarify the process and the price of wisdom. Even more wonderful is the opportunity given to me to approach my Heavenly Father, the source of all wisdom, to seek an outpouring to enrich my own stores. Augustine, a great religious leader of the Middle Ages, lived from 354-430. He was born in a Roman province near what is now Algeria. Although his father was a Pagan, Augustine was taught about Christianity by his mother. His education and nature led him to an interest in philosophy and letters, which he pursued until he accepted a position in rhetoric at Rome. The study of rhetoric examines the elements of literature and of public speaking. His position in Rome placed him under a strong Christian influence, and he became a Christian in 386. As a Priest, he devoted the rest of his life to his church. One of his greatest writings listed and discussed the steps to wisdom. After studying the scriptures and pondering their truths, he developed his own formula for obtaining personal wisdom. His personal philosophy included seven steps, the last four of which I have included here: "It is necessary, then, that each man should first of all find in the Scriptures that he, through being entangled in the love of the world -- i.e., of temporal things -- has been drawn far away from such a love for God and such a love for his neighbor as scripture enjoins...(Then) he gradually comes to the fourth step -- that is, strength and resolution -- in which he hungers and thirsts after righteousness. For in this frame of mind he extricates himself from every form of fatal joy in transitory things, and turning away from these, fixes his affection on things eternal... "And when, to the extent of his power, he has gazed upon this object shining from afar, and has felt that owing to the weakness of his sight he cannot endure that matchless light, then in the fifth step -- that is, in the counsel of compassion -- he cleanses his soul... And at this stage he exercises himself diligently in the love of his neighbor; and when he has reached the point of loving his enemy, full of hopes and unbroken in strength, he mounts to the sixth step, in which he purifies the eye itself which can see God, so far as God can be seen....Accordingly, that holy man will be so single and so pure in heart that he will not step aside from the truth, either for the sake of pleasing men or with a view to avoid any of the annoyances which beset this life. Such a son ascends to wisdom, which is the seventh and last step, and which he enjoys in peace and tranquility" (in Great Books of the Western World 18:639). Strength and resolution, compassion, and purification -- are certainly some of the necessary prerequisites to my search of wisdom. In order to be wise, I must have the strength to search only after righteousness and turn myself from the evil of the world; I must have compassion for all men; and my soul must be pure and single to the glory of God. In the great literary work "Paradise Lost," John Milton gives a poetic account of Adam and Eve leaving the Garden of Eden and entering the world. Once again I see the process of seeking wisdom explained in detail. Shortly before leaving the garden, Adam says to the angel Michael: "Greatly instructed I shall hence depart. Greatly in peace of thought, and have my fill Of knowledge, what this Vessel can contain;... Henceforth I learn, that to obey is best, And love with fear the only God, to walk As in his presence, ever to observe His Providence, and on him sole depend, Merciful over all his works, with good Still overcoming evil, and by small accomplishing great things, by things deem'd weak Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise By simply meek; that suffering for Truth's sake Is fortitude to highest victory, And to the faithful Death the Gate of Life; Taught this by his example whom I now Acknowledge my Redeemer ever blest." Adam acknowledges the value of what he has already learned and his peace of mind about leaving the garden. In the world, he notes, he can obtain as much knowledge as his own limitations will allow. He learns obedience, and he learns that his love and fear for God should cause him to live as if God were always present. He should strive to overcome evil until his weakness has become strong in the world. Meekness is wisdom; suffering for truth is victory over death -- a thing he learned by the example of the Redeemer. "To whom thus also the 'Angel last repli'd: 'This having learnt, thou hast attained the sum' Of wisdom; hope no higher......only add Deeds to thy knowledge answerable, and Faith, Add Virtue, Patience, Temperance, add Love, By name to come call'd Charity, the soul Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loath To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess A paradise within thee, happier far." (Bk. 12, 11. 557-576, 581-587.) As these passages show, I am learning wisdom in different ways, but the possession of wisdom is usually accompanied by action. I may possess knowledge without using it, or I may misuse it. But when I have wisdom, I recognize the difference between good and evil and act according to my knowledge. A part of wisdom is self-understanding. I have always wondered where my mother learned so much. She did not go past a high school teaching certificate. Her time was filled with hard work. I do not recall lectures or lists of jobs or rules -- just expectation and trust and security. Mother never said, "It is your turn to clean up after this meal." She began, and we took over. Sharing the work was a privilege. Going to church was a foregone conclusion. How did she do it? How did she become so wise? William Blake in "The Four Zoas" includes a passage with lines on wisdom that are clear and beautiful, and point toward the idea that wisdom is a product of experience. "What is the price of Experience? Do men buy it for a song? Or wisdom for a dance in the street? No, it is bought with the price Of all that a man hath.... It is an easy thing to triumph in the summer's sun And in the vintage and to sing on the wagon loaded with corn. It is an easy thing to talk of patience to the afflicted, To speak the laws of prudence to the houseless wanderer.... It is an easy thing to rejoice in the tents of prosperity. Because of the vivid images Blake creates, I discovered his major theme easily. When things are going well, it is easy to be optimistic, to be grateful for my obvious blessings, to have advice for others' problems -- and to lack sympathy for those less fortunate. But one does not gain wisdom in that way. Wisdom's price is experience and suffering and trust. That is how my Mother obtained wisdom -- experience and suffering and trust. Finally, I better understand how to gain wisdom. I can read and ponder and live with the influence of the scriptures. I can consider prayerfully the thoughtful contributions of good, analytical and creative minds. And I can profit by experience --that of others as well as my own. Emma, the wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith, was a wonderful example to me.Alice Clarkson Turley ----------------------- Dear President Albright, galbright@ldschurch.org MISSIONARY MOMENT: EMMA-- "I WAS TOO TIRED TO GO WEST" I was the 108th direct descendant of the Prophet Joseph Smith to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons). I was the 2nd direct descendant of Joseph to be endowed in the new Nauvoo Temple. I think it is time to share my story with a larger audience. I was raised in the Reorganized LDS church, now known as the Community of Christ. All of my life I had been taught to distrust and fear the Mormon church which is headquartered in Utah. My journey to become a Mormon started in the summer of 2005 when I ran across a web site:JosephSmithJr.com . I spent several hours reading what was there. I e-mailed the site and explained who I was. I was contacted the next day and was invited to visit Utah in August for a Joseph Smith Family Reunion. I was fearful to go, and was actually concerned for my safety and well being. I left thinking I was like a sheep being led to the slaughter and I might be going out on a nice plane, but I was coming back in a pine box! But contrary to my beliefs, it actually was a delightful experience. My niece Kim Larson and I were picked up at the airport by John and Gwen Smith, the great-grandson of Hyrum Smith, Joseph's brother. They were our hosts for the next 3 days. Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve, a Smith cousin as a descendant of Joseph's brother Hyrum, addressed us. About 200 descendants attended the gathering. Most, like me, were not members of the Mormon church. We were also hosted by descendants of Samuel Smith, another of Joseph's brothers. Our reception was totally awesome. The warmth shared will last a lifetime. The last night we went to a play at the Marriott Center at BYU celebrating Joseph's 200th birthday. I will never again in my life have the feeling of total emotion I felt as I stood in the middle of the stadium with my family as we received a standing ovation from 23,000 people. We were also guests of honor at the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's weekly broadcast, during which music director Craig Jessop welcomed us and paid tribute to Joseph's wife, Emma, for her collection of hymns. The choir sang hymns centered on Joseph, "Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning," and "Praise to the Man." When they sang "Joseph's First Prayer," I wept openly for the first time in 50 years. This had never happened to me before, not even at the deaths of my parents, wife or son. We were also shown displays of Joseph and Emma Smith in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building as the Church celebrated the 200th anniversary of Joseph's birth. Under the direction of descendants Michael Kennedy and his wife, Darcy, and Gracia Jones - the first Smith descendant to join the Church - we held a family dinner in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City. The art department at BYU presented me with a beautiful book about my Great Great Grandfather Joseph Smith. I was also presented with an LDS Hymn Book in memory of Emma's contributions to Church music. After I returned home to Nebraska, I placed both of these new books in my living room. At this point I was a total emotional wreck, but I knew what I needed to do. For the next few months I did much research and soul searching. I looked back to the Reorganized church only to find out they had changed the church name, denounced the Book of Mormon, and denounced Joseph Smith as the prophet--all of which I was very opposed to. I felt that the original Church was the one to pursue. In January of 2006, two young Mormon Missionaries came knocking on my door, Elder Batin and Elder Williams. When I invited the elders to come inside, they immediately noticed the LDS hymnal and the art book about Joseph Smith on my table. Needless to say, when the missionaries discovered I was not a Mormon, they stayed in my living room teaching me for most of that day. Our discussion was fascinating for them and for me because I already knew so much about their church history which intertwined with RLDS history; however, many of the gospel principles were different. Over the following weeks I took all the missionary lessons and struggled with the huge disparity between what the elders were teaching me and what my RLDS friends and family had taught me my entire life. The conflict within my heart and soul grew to the point that I finally told the missionaries that even though I believed their message and all their LDS doctrines, I could not join the Mormon Church until I could find out for myself why Brigham Young had left Emma behind in Nauvoo with five children to raise. I was conflicted and could not come to a resolution that would comfort me. It did not make sense to me that Emma had been left to fend for herself, after being so instrumental in the Restoration. I also spent several evenings in the home of David and Jodi Edwards who were LDS friends of mine, and where Elder Sandhu and Elder Johnson taught me further doctrines. In April of 2006, I was driving down the highway to work and singing along loudly to a Southern gospel radio station. I still remember the song I was listening to was titled: "Joy, Joy Wonderful Joy" by the gospel group Bill and Gloria Gaithers. Suddenly, to my dismay, the radio went completely silent. I was a bit irritated at this since the car I was driving was almost new. How could the radio break so soon? I hit the dash and fiddled with the radio dials, but finally gave up and just drove along the road alone and in complete silence. In the quiet I started to ponder about my dilemma. Should I join the Mormon church as I wanted and enjoy fellowship with the Saints? Would this upset my family and the many generations of Smiths who were angry that Emma had not been taken West along with the Saints? Suddenly, to my surprise, I clearly and distinctly heard a women's voice speaking to me. It was as clear as if it had come through the radio speakers. The voice said: "Robert, Follow your heart. I stayed in Nauvoo because I was tired and could travel no further." I knew instantly that the voice belonged to Emma Smith, my Great, Great Grandmother. It was made clear to me at that moment that Emma had just given me her permission to be baptized into the Mormon Church! My ancestors would not be angry with my decision to join my new found faith. My last remaining concern and stumbling block had just been miraculously removed. I was baptized on May 13th by my cousin Michael Kennedy, the President of the Joseph Smith Family organization, and the first descendant of Joseph to receive the Melchezedic Priesthood. I was confirmed by my good friend and stake president David Edward. Also baptized at the same baptismal service by Michael was Caleb, the son my good friends David and Rebecca Denning. David is the son of my second cousin Gracia Jones and is stationed here in Omaha. I was overwhelmed with emotion that the great-great grandson and the great-great-great-great grandson of Joseph were to be baptized during the same service! It was a joyful occasion. Caleb's and my baptism was the first time that a descendant of Joseph and Hyrum had worked together in the baptism of a family member. I could only imagine the rejoicing and tears that were shed by the two brothers on the other side of the veil. Their families were being united again after 150 years. The beautiful dedicatory prayer at the Kirtland Temple offered by Joseph, especially D&C 109:70, is continuing to unfold, that the prejudices of Joseph's posterity"may be broken up and swept away as with a flood." Among Joseph and Emma's posterity are now some 125 living adult descendants who are members of the Church, and of them, at least seven have served full-time missions. Our prejudices have indeed been swept away as if by a flood! Thanks for your efforts to spread the light of truth! Warm Regards, Bob Smith Omaha, Nebraska EMAIL FROM PATSY CLARKSON (patsy@kanab.net 1/25/11) ----------------------------- Ref: Howland Chart.
Emma and Joseph shared a common Heritage, being descended from no less than seven passengers on the historic ship, Mayflower. These Mayflower passengers are: John Tilley, Joan Hurst Tilley, Elizabeth Tilley, John Howland, Edward Fuller, Mrs. John Fuller, Samuel Fuller.)
John Fiske, in his Beginnings of New England, reported that the Plymouth settlers were “. . . drawn from the sturdiest part of English stock. In all history there has been no other instance of colonization so exclusively effected by picked and chosen men.”[1] William Stoughton, in his election sermon of 1668, said, “God sifted a whole nation that he might send choice grain over into the wilderness.”[2] The compelling motive of these pilgrims coming was to gain freedom of worship for themselves according to their own interpretation of the teachings of the Bible.
Edward Johnson, in his Wandering-Working Providence of Zion’s Savior in New England, said, “The Lord Christ intends to achieve greater matter by this little handful than the world is aware of.”[3]
Although they probably never knew it, both Joseph Smith and Emma Hale could have traced their lineage back to a common ancestor, John Howland, whose life was miraculously spared during the stormy Atlantic crossing of the Mayflower in 1620.
In Bradford’s History of Plymouth Plantation 1606-1646, the story of this dramatic event is recorded in charming old English. The spelling is retained here to give the reader a feeling for the language of the time. Some explanations have been added in [ ] brackets to clarify meaning.
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“In sundrie of thee stormes the winds were so fierce and ye seas so high as they could not beare a knote of sale, but were forced to hull for diverce days togither. And in one of them, as they thus lay at hull in a mighty storme, a lustie young man (called John Howland), coming upon some occasion above ye gratings, was, with a seele of ye shippe, throwne into ye sea; but it pleased God [that] he caught hold of ye tope-saile hallards which hung over-board, and rane out at length; yet he held his hould (though he was sundrie fadomes under water) till he was hald up by ye rope to ye water, and then with a boat hooke and other means got into ye shipe again and his life was saved; and though he was something ill with it, yet he lived many years after, and became a profitable member of both church and commonewealth.”[4]
In fact, John Howland married Elizabeth Tilley, one of the few survivors of the first terrible winter in Plymouth colony. Had John Howland not survived his fall into the ocean from the intrepid Mayflower, many hundreds and even thousands of individuals would not have been born to fulfill their outstanding service to the new American nation, or to the world in which we live today.
One cannot help marveling at the twist of destiny that brought these pilgrims through their ordeals to produce two separate family lines, which converge eight generations later, bringing two very distant cousins, Joseph Smith and Emma Hale, together as contemporaries, and key participants in one of the most significant events to take place in the history of the world—the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Who is Emma Hale?
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Born 10 July 1804, in Harmony, Pennsylvania, Emma was the seventh child and third daughter in a family of nine children (five boys and five girls), born to Isaac and Elizabeth Lewis Hale. Her mother was a sister of a respected Methodist minister, Nathaniel Hale. Her father, a well-established farmer and a skilled hunter, was also a veteran of the Revolutionary War.
The Hales, by their industry, enjoyed many cultural and social advantages. Emma was well educated for a girl of her day, and was also a skilled horsewoman. She was well accomplished in the womanly arts of spinning, weaving, and sewing. She was fond of her brothers and sisters, and throughout her tempestuous life she tried to maintain contact with them. She and her father enjoyed an especially close bond since she was a little girl. According to Michael Bartlett Morse, husband to Emma’s sister, Tryael, Isaac overheard six-year-old Emma praying for him and was so moved by her childish faith, that he forsook deism and embraced Christianity. The Hale family members were faithful worshipers in the Methodist faith in Harmony, through Emma’s growing-up years.
Emma’s family did not understand her devotion to Joseph Smith and the religious movement he founded. Due to her marriage to him, and her loyalty to his mission, she never saw her parents again in this life, but she maintained correspondence with her siblings over the years. Years later, some of her siblings moved to Illinois, living within 150 miles of Nauvoo; in the 1840s they reconnected with Emma and Joseph, and amicable interaction developed between them.
Members of Emma’s family who settled in Lee County, Illinois:
Tryael Hale and Michael Morse and their children.
Jesse and Mary Elizabeth McKune Hale and some of their children.
David and Rhoda Jane Skinner Hale, and their family.
Alva and Clara Root Rouse Hale, and their family.
Elizabeth Hale and Benjamin Wasson, (alt spelling, Wassen) and their family.
Clara Wasson, daughter of Elizabeth and Benjamin Wasson.
Lorenzo Wasson married in Nauvoo, 1843, Marietta Crocker (she died) and Lorenzo then married Aurelia Gaylord, in about 1846, in Amboy township, Lee, Illinois.
Emma’s Uncle Nathaniel Lewis and some of his children moved to Amboy, Lee, Illinois: he died there in 1860.
In a future article we will include some correspondence between Emma and her siblings.
Who is Joseph Smith?
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Joseph Smith was born to Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith, on 23 December 1805, in Sharon, Vermont. The Smiths lived for a time on a farm near Sharon, then moved to several areas before settling in Norwich, Vermont, where they obtained another farm and strove to make a living from it. Three years in a row the weather was so cold they could not harvest a crop, so they were forced to look for a better location. In 1816, when Joseph was ten years old, his father moved the family to the small town of Palmyra, in upstate New York. Eventually he purchased land and built a log house in the nearby community of Farmington, which later became Manchester. The Smiths were soon caught up in the religious revivals that were sweeping through the area at that time. They frequently attended camp meetings where they made a little extra money selling refreshments among the hundreds of people who gathered for the revival meetings. After listening to sermons given by various traveling preachers of Baptist, Methodist, or Presbyterian persuasion, the family was caught up in the question of which religion they should join. Joseph Smith Sr., held himself aloof from all churches, but Mother Lucy, Sophronia, and Hyrum joined the Presbyterian Church. Fourteen-year-old Joseph sincerely wanted to know which of all the contending denominations was right and which he should join in order to receive salvation and forgiveness for his sins.
While reading the Bible, Joseph came across the words, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”[5] The words struck deep into his heart, and he concluded that he would do as the scripture advised.
One morning, early in the spring of 1820, intent on finding out the truth for himself, Joseph set out across the meadow behind the log cabin. Entering the wood lot he found a grove of trees where he could be alone; there he knelt down to offer a heartfelt prayer to God. As soon as he began to pray, a terrible darkness came over him. He felt as though he were being smothered—crushed by some invisible power. In horror and despair, he called upon god for deliverance. Suddenly, he saw a brilliant light descending out of heaven. He said it was so bright he wondered that the leaves n the trees were not consumed. In the shaft of light he saw two personages. One of them spoke to him saying, “Joseph, this is my Beloved Son, hear ye him.”[6]
Later, Joseph would refer to this experience as his “first vision” –the first of many face-to-face communications he claimed with heavenly beings, including his Heavenly Father, his Savior, Jesus Christ, and many prophets and apostles of old, who tutored him in his awesome responsibility of laying the foundation for the dispensation of the fullness of times.
Firstvision.jpg
In this first vision he was told not to join any of the contending religious groups. The Lord said, “They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”[7] Joseph was told to wait and he would be given further instruction. He left the grove satisfied, as he had been assured that his sins were forgiven; and in a future time the Lord would have a work for him to do.
In due time, Joseph told his family of his experience; they believed him. He also told a minister with whom he had become well acquainted. This minister was enraged and told Joseph his vision came from the devil—that God did not talk to mortals in these latter days. Soon Joseph and his family became subjects of ridicule and furious efforts to persuade Joseph to denounce his claim. His response reveals his sincere conviction that what he had seen was real.
“I had seen a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he was a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. One of my friends recommended me to order custom writingon EssaysProfessors.Com. To tell you the truth, I have never regretted my decision. The writers are real professionals and know how to write impressive work full of knowledgeable information. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. . . .So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand god, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that god knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.”[8]
Over the next three years, Joseph worked on his father’s farm, and also as a laborer wherever he could to help earn a living for the family. On the night of 21 September 1823, Joseph retired to his bed n the loft he shared with his younger brothers, determined in his heart that he would pray to know what the Lord might expect of him. He said he fully expected to receive a vision, as he previously had, and so he prayed, anticipating an answer. He was not disappointed.
As he prayed, a shaft of light suddenly came into the room, and there stood a glorious personage, an angel, who introduced himself as Moroni. He told Joseph he had lived ages ago upon the American continent, and was now resurrected, and had been sent from God to give him the information he was seeking. Moroni told Joseph God had a work for him to do; and that Joseph’s name “should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindred and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.”[9]
Joseph learned that many centuries ago, Moroni had been charged to complete a sacred record which had been engraved on gold plates by his father, Mormon. Moroni told Joseph this record contained “an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. . . .That the fullness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants.”[10] Moroni had been commanded to hide the record in the earth until the time came for it to come forth. Moroni said Joseph was chosen to translate and publish this record in the latter days to re-establish the gospel on the earth, and he indicated that these things were about to take place. Joseph was to be that prophet.
Now the seventeen-year-old boy went to his father. Father Smith listened to his son’s amazing experience, then urged him to go and do as the angel directed. Joseph went to a place near the top of a large, bare hill, a few miles from the Smith farm. He recognized the place as the one he had seen in vision. Moroni met him there, showing him the golden plates and an instrument called the Urim and Thummim which he was told would be used for translating the record. He forbad Joseph from taking the plates at that time. Everything was returned to the stone box buried in the ground and hidden under a large stone which was pulled over the top. This pattern was followed for the next four years, during which time the young prophet was given much instruction concerning his future work. Each year he went, expecting to receive the plates, but he did not obtain them until the fall of 1827. Emma and Joseph were married in January 1827. They went to live with Joseph’s parents at Manchester, New York. Joseph and Emma had been married about eight months when the time finally came for him to obtain the record. Emma was with him the night he went to obtain the plates from the hill. She did not ascend the hill with him, but waited at the bottom of the hill while Joseph went to receive the plates from the Angel Moroni. She became his companion in the difficult task of keeping the record safe from those who wanted to take it away from them—she also became the first scribe when he made his first attempt to translate the record into English. This record, when published, became The Book of Mormon. For more than sixteen years of their lives they endured relentless persecution, privation, and at times serious poverty, but neither Emma, or Joseph, denied the truth of the work they were engaged in.
By her marriage to Joseph, Emma had unwittingly become the wife of the man God had chosen to head the dispensation of the fullness of times. No record has been found to reveal what Emma’s feelings were concerning Joseph’s prophetic gifts at the time of their marriage. However, the record does show—by her constancy through trial—Emma’s steadfast conviction that he was a prophet of God.
A Prophet of God
The Bible dictionary defines a prophet as a forthteller as much as a foreteller. During the career of Joseph Smith, there were moments of inspiration regarding the future, but his greatest energy went toward defining doctrine, restoring ordinances and lost scripture, adding thousands of words to the cannon of inspired religious writings. There is every indication that Emma shared Joseph’s values, and believed, as he did, that it was his lot to lay the foundation of the latter-day kingdom of God described by the prophet Daniel. See Daniel Chapter 2:28-45.
Joseph Smith made this comment in regard to the word, ‘Mormon’: “It has been stated that this word was derived from the Greek word, mormo. This is not the case. There is no Greek or Latin upon the plates from which I, through the grace of the Lord, translated the Book of Mormon. Let the language of the book speak for itself. . . .” he explained that the writers of the book said they wrote in characters, known among them as Reformed Egyptian, and that “none other people knoweth our language.” The word Mormon, Joseph said, “means literally more good.”[11] Many times throughout his teachings he indicated he did not ask anyone to give up the good things they already believed, but to come, and gain more.
Joseph Smith’s entire family stood beside him through all the persecution and trials heaped upon him by a world full of hostile mobs because of their rejection of his testimony that he had borne concerning the vision, his claim that he was commanded to translate and publish the Book of Mormon. He accomplished this great work, not alone, but because many people believed and helped.
Smith Family Members who sustained Joseph unto death:
His father, Joseph Smith Sr., and two of his brothers, Hyrum and Samuel, were three of the eight witnesses who saw the gold plates and handled them and testified of the truth of their existence.[12]
His mother, Lucy Mack Smith bore testimony to her dying day the her son was indeed called of the Lord to bring forth the ancient record, The Book of Mormon; that it was the ‘voice from the dust’ spoken of by the prophet Ezekiel. She wrote her book, History of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and left that printed testimony concerning the things he had done and the things her family had done in order to establish the restored gospel to the earth.[13]
Three of his father’s brothers, Asael, Silas, and John, and their grown families united with the church Joseph founded and endured untold persecution and privation for the sake of the gospel.
Hyrum died with Joseph Smith at Carthage, Illinois, June 27, 1844, sealing the testimony with their blood. Shortly before they were killed these two brothers spoke to the guards who were assigned to protect them while they were in protective custody at the jail in Carthage.[14]
According to witnesses who heard them speak, Joseph said that he was not in that situation because of any evil acts of his, nor any wrong doing, but because he would not deny the testimony which he had born throughout his life that the work in which he was engaged was of God; that the Book of Mormon was true, that the ordinances he had restored were true, that the testimony he had born was true.
Hyrum’s sermon, recorded by one of the guards, John Long, was that Hyrum read from the Bible: Revelation chapter 6, verses 9 through 11. “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, doest thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? “And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”
He told them they should mark their Bible, for they were about to see this fulfilled. Shortly after hearing these testimonies, John Long was dismissed from his duty, being replaced by the Carthage Greys, a group of the state Militia known to be avowed enemies Mormons. Long went home and read to his family the words read by Hyrum; he marked his Bible, which has been passed down in his family from generation to generation along with his testimony of what he saw and heard that day.[15]
These men did not want to leave their families; they did not want to die. But they chose to die rather than deny what they knew to be true. At any time, Joseph, and Hyrum too, could have chosen to deny those things Joseph had been preaching from the time of that first vision, and the persecution would have stopped. But Joseph did not deny it; nor did Hyrum, or Emma. Like their shared ancestor, John Howland, who clung to the sail which trailed in the depths of the sea when he fell overboard in the storm, they clung to the truth which they had been charged to proclaim. These men and those who stood by them in life have left a steadfast heritage of faith and devotion to duty; their example of courage stands as a remarkable legacy for all of their posterity.
Descendants of John and Elizabeth Tilley Howland, and Joseph and Emma Smith share a Choice Lineage.
Joseph F. McConkie (descendant of Hyrum Smith) said, “Kindred Spirits, though separated by time, are nonetheless still bound by purpose, for no great cause is accomplished in a generation. The hope, vision and faith of our noble forebears must become ours. As we stand upon their shoulders, so in some future day others may be blessed to stand on ours.”
John Fiske, The Beginnings of New England of the Puritans Theocracy in its Relation to Civil and Religious Liberty (Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.; Cambridge: The Rivertree Press, 1889).
William Stoughton was pastor of the Old south church in Boston. The pastor traditionally presented a sermon on Election Day, and this quote comes from his sermon in 1668. Microfiche copies are found in the Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT.
Edward Johnson, “Wonder-Working Providence of Sion’s Savior in New England,” in Original narratives of Early American History, ed. J. Franklin Jameson (New York: Charles Scribner’s sons, 1910).
William Bradford, History of Plymouth Plantation 1606-1646, ed. W. T. Davis (Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1946), p. 63
The Holy bible, (King James Version), James 1:5.
Joseph Smith---History, 1:17, Pearl of Great Price
Joseph Smith---History, 1:19, Pearl of Great Price
Joseph Smith---History, 1:24-26, Pearl of Great Price
Joseph Smith---History, 1:27-33, Pearl of Great Price
Joseph Smith---History, 1:34, Pearl of Great Price
Joseph Smith, HC, 5:399-400.
The Book of Mormon, see Testimony of Eight Witnesses
Lucy Mack Smith dictated the manuscript for her history which has been published in several forms and is available today, “History of the Prophet Joseph Smith”.
John Taylor, witness to the Martyrdom. Section 135 in the LDS Doctrine and Covenants, p. 281.
Pamela Price, Story of John Long, November 2006 Vision Magazine, vol. 54, p.5. Independence, Missouri.
- They were married at South Bainbridge which is now called Afton, New York Here Joseph and Emma were married at the home of Squire Tarbill. Opposition to this marriage on the part of Emma's parents caused the couple to elope from her parents' home in Harmony. (Town called Oakland, Penn. today.) For nearly a year after the marriage they lived at Joseph's parents in Manchester, New York until persecution in that area forced them to move back to Harmony in Dec. 1827. Joseph purchased a small home and 13.5 acres from Emma's father, Isaac Hale, for $200 and lived there for 3 years. She was baptized at Colesville, New York which is now called Ninevah, New York. She is buried with her husband Joseph Smith Junior on the Smith family property in Nauvoo, Illinois She married a 2nd time to Lewis C. Bidamon BIRTH: Also shown as Born Harmony now Oakland, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. DEATH: Also shown as Died Nauvoo, Hancok, Illinois. ~ENDOWMENT: Also shown as Endowed 26 Jan 1978, SLAKE. ~ENDOWMENT: Also shown as Endowed 28 Sep 1843 ~ENDOWMENT: Also shown as Endowed 26 Jan 1978, SLAKE. This pertains to the ratification of her ordinances by the First Presidency on that date. ~ENDOWMENT: Also shown as Endowed 28 Sep 1843-- this is according to a record in Heber C. Kimball's diary. ~SEALING_TO_PARENTS: Also shown as SealPar 20 Jan 1993, OGDEN. There are many dates in the records for her sealing to her parents. ~ENDOWMENT: Also shown as Endowed 28 Sep 1843, NAUVO. My Tribute to Emma Hale Smith - In examining scriptural passages to help me seek and apply wisdom to enrich my life, I found a Cultural Refinement lesson explanation very valuable. In the apocryphal book, the Wisdom of Solomon, I read that "wisdom is a loving spirit," suggesting that wisdom is knowledge applied lovingly and for the right reasons. I could come to wisdom if and when I come to God, who is love. As young Joseph Smith studied the scriptures, the words in James 1:5 drew his attention and prompted him to seek wisdom through prayer. Joseph's search for truth led to the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The scriptures are spiritual textbooks and literary masterpieces. They point to God as being the source of all wisdom My faith in him and the inspiration I gain from him helps me to enrich my knowledge with insight and understanding. In Proverbs 3:13-35, I read of the value of wisdom in a poetic statement. In this passage the poet might have said, "Wisdom is extremely valuable." But he chose, instead, to use techniques, or "poetic devices," to say the same thing in a way that is more vivid and more memorable. He hopes to give us an experience through words that will help us understand the value of wisdom. I try to visualize the ideas of the poet. In Proverbs 3:13 I read, "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding." The verse begins with the statement, "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom" Then, the second half of the sentence repeats the idea but uses the word "understanding instead of wisdom. After this statement, the poet showed me why one should be happy to have wisdom. He compared seemingly unlike things to suggest a likeness. In these verses he compares the gaining of wisdom to the gaining of worldly wealth. "For the merchandise of it (wisdom) is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. "She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her" (verses 14-15). The author compared wisdom with silver, gold, and rubies, and makes wisdom even more value in a final comparison by declaring her to be more valuable than all things. Then I learned the characteristics of wisdom --the profit to the individual, and by implication, to those whose good fortune it is to be in the company of wise persons. "Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace" (verses 16-17). (Now a comparison of wisdom with nature): "She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is every one that retaineth her" (verse 18). Then God is the source of wisdom: "The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. "By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew" (verses 19-20). I read these and tried to understand by my own experiences and thoughts. This poem gave me advice on how to achieve wisdom that could be applied to my life. I read verses 21-34 and asked myself; Which instructions apply most to me? Which promises would I desire most? How can these ideas increase my faith? My knowledge? How can my own experience change into wisdom, so that the first half of verse 35 can be my own promise? "The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools" (verse 35). I perceived through these verses that wisdom is more than knowledge, experience, and insight. It is those qualities combined, anchored in faith, enlightened by inspiration, and transferred to action. To paraphrase the scriptural passages, the value of wisdom cannot be measured; the source of wisdom is God; the exercise of wisdom is righteous living. The scriptures make clear that the greatest and most desirable result of a person gaining wisdom is that she will keep the commandments of God. Alma, in a discourse to his son Helaman, said: "O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God" (Alma 37:35). Paul also points out the things that a wise person will do: "We...do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness" (Colossians 1:9-11). Both of these passages -- and many others -- emphasize the same message. God is the fount of all wisdom, and keeping his commandments is the greatest exercise of wisdom. I found a wonderful statement and promise in the Doctrine and Covenants: "See not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich" (C&C 6:7). "Seek not for riches but for wisdom." Emma Smith was undoubtedly familiar with the promise in the Doctrine and Covenants, as well as with other scriptures commending wisdom to us. When the Prophet Joseph made the decision to return to Carthage, that fateful decision that would lead to his death, Emma asked her husband to give her a blessing. The Prophet told her to write the best blessing she could desire. He promised her that upon his return, he would sign it for her. Emma wrote the blessing, but the Prophet never returned from Carthage. Emma's words show that the greatest desire of her heart was for wisdom. "First of all that I would crave as the richest of heaven's blessings would be wisdom from my Heavenly Father bestowed daily, so that whatever I might do or say, I could not look back at the close of the day with regret, nor neglect the performance of any act that would bring a blessing. I desire that Spirit of God to know and understand myself, that I might be able to overcome whatever of tradition or nature that would not tend to my exaltation in the eternal worlds. I desire a fruitful, active mind, that I may be able to comprehend the designs of God, when revealed through His servants without doubting. I desire the spirit of discernment, which is one of the promised blessings of the Holy Ghost. "I particularly desire wisdom to bring up all the children that are, or may be committed to my charge, in such a manner that they will be useful ornaments in the Kingdom of God, and in a coming day arise up and call me blessed. "I desire prudence that I may not through ambition abuse my body and cause it to become prematurely old and care-worn, but that I may wear a cheerful countenance, live to perform all the work that I covenanted to perform in the spirit-world and be a blessing to all who may in any wise need aught at my hands. "I desire with all my heart to honor and respect my husband as my head, ever to live in his confidence and by acting in unison with him retain the place which God has given me by his side. I desire to see that I may rejoice with (the daughters of Eve) in the blessings which God has in store for all who are willing to be obedient to His requirements. Finally, I desire that whatever may be my lot through life I may be enabled to acknowledge the hand of God in all things" (manuscript copy kept in Church Historical Department). Evidently, Emma felt a great need for this gift of the Spirit. I echo these scriptural statement about wisdom in the longing of Emma's heart. I know that for me, too wisdom is an active force in all aspects of my life and I can greatly improve the quality of each of my days. Wisdom is indeed a gift of the Spirit. In 1 Corinthians, "For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit" (Chapter 12:8). Wisdom may come as a gift or I may have to strive to obtain that gift. How wonderful it is to have the guidelines of the scriptures to help me to clarify the process and the price of wisdom. Even more wonderful is the opportunity given to me to approach my Heavenly Father, the source of all wisdom, to seek an outpouring to enrich my own stores. Augustine, a great religious leader of the Middle Ages, lived from 354-430. He was born in a Roman province near what is now Algeria. Although his father was a Pagan, Augustine was taught about Christianity by his mother. His education and nature led him to an interest in philosophy and letters, which he pursued until he accepted a position in rhetoric at Rome. The study of rhetoric examines the elements of literature and of public speaking. His position in Rome placed him under a strong Christian influence, and he became a Christian in 386. As a Priest, he devoted the rest of his life to his church. One of his greatest writings listed and discussed the steps to wisdom. After studying the scriptures and pondering their truths, he developed his own formula for obtaining personal wisdom. His personal philosophy included seven steps, the last four of which I have included here: "It is necessary, then, that each man should first of all find in the Scriptures that he, through being entangled in the love of the world -- i.e., of temporal things -- has been drawn far away from such a love for God and such a love for his neighbor as scripture enjoins...(Then) he gradually comes to the fourth step -- that is, strength and resolution -- in which he hungers and thirsts after righteousness. For in this frame of mind he extricates himself from every form of fatal joy in transitory things, and turning away from these, fixes his affection on things eternal... "And when, to the extent of his power, he has gazed upon this object shining from afar, and has felt that owing to the weakness of his sight he cannot endure that matchless light, then in the fifth step -- that is, in the counsel of compassion -- he cleanses his soul... And at this stage he exercises himself diligently in the love of his neighbor; and when he has reached the point of loving his enemy, full of hopes and unbroken in strength, he mounts to the sixth step, in which he purifies the eye itself which can see God, so far as God can be seen....Accordingly, that holy man will be so single and so pure in heart that he will not step aside from the truth, either for the sake of pleasing men or with a view to avoid any of the annoyances which beset this life. Such a son ascends to wisdom, which is the seventh and last step, and which he enjoys in peace and tranquility" (in Great Books of the Western World 18:639). Strength and resolution, compassion, and purification -- are certainly some of the necessary prerequisites to my search of wisdom. In order to be wise, I must have the strength to search only after righteousness and turn myself from the evil of the world; I must have compassion for all men; and my soul must be pure and single to the glory of God. In the great literary work "Paradise Lost," John Milton gives a poetic account of Adam and Eve leaving the Garden of Eden and entering the world. Once again I see the process of seeking wisdom explained in detail. Shortly before leaving the garden, Adam says to the angel Michael: "Greatly instructed I shall hence depart. Greatly in peace of thought, and have my fill Of knowledge, what this Vessel can contain;... Henceforth I learn, that to obey is best, And love with fear the only God, to walk As in his presence, ever to observe His Providence, and on him sole depend, Merciful over all his works, with good Still overcoming evil, and by small accomplishing great things, by things deem'd weak Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise By simply meek; that suffering for Truth's sake Is fortitude to highest victory, And to the faithful Death the Gate of Life; Taught this by his example whom I now Acknowledge my Redeemer ever blest." Adam acknowledges the value of what he has already learned and his peace of mind about leaving the garden. In the world, he notes, he can obtain as much knowledge as his own limitations will allow. He learns obedience, and he learns that his love and fear for God should cause him to live as if God were always present. He should strive to overcome evil until his weakness has become strong in the world. Meekness is wisdom; suffering for truth is victory over death -- a thing he learned by the example of the Redeemer. "To whom thus also the 'Angel last repli'd: 'This having learnt, thou hast attained the sum' Of wisdom; hope no higher......only add Deeds to thy knowledge answerable, and Faith, Add Virtue, Patience, Temperance, add Love, By name to come call'd Charity, the soul Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loath To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess A paradise within thee, happier far." (Bk. 12, 11. 557-576, 581-587.) As these passages show, I am learning wisdom in different ways, but the possession of wisdom is usually accompanied by action. I may possess knowledge without using it, or I may misuse it. But when I have wisdom, I recognize the difference between good and evil and act according to my knowledge. A part of wisdom is self-understanding. I have always wondered where my mother learned so much. She did not go past a high school teaching certificate. Her time was filled with hard work. I do not recall lectures or lists of jobs or rules -- just expectation and trust and security. Mother never said, "It is your turn to clean up after this meal." She began, and we took over. Sharing the work was a privilege. Going to church was a foregone conclusion. How did she do it? How did she become so wise? William Blake in "The Four Zoas" includes a passage with lines on wisdom that are clear and beautiful, and point toward the idea that wisdom is a product of experience. "What is the price of Experience? Do men buy it for a song? Or wisdom for a dance in the street? No, it is bought with the price Of all that a man hath.... It is an easy thing to triumph in the summer's sun And in the vintage and to sing on the wagon loaded with corn. It is an easy thing to talk of patience to the afflicted, To speak the laws of prudence to the houseless wanderer.... It is an easy thing to rejoice in the tents of prosperity. Because of the vivid images Blake creates, I discovered his major theme easily. When things are going well, it is easy to be optimistic, to be grateful for my obvious blessings, to have advice for others' problems -- and to lack sympathy for those less fortunate. But one does not gain wisdom in that way. Wisdom's price is experience and suffering and trust. That is how my Mother obtained wisdom -- experience and suffering and trust. Finally, I better understand how to gain wisdom. I can read and ponder and live with the influence of the scriptures. I can consider prayerfully the thoughtful contributions of good, analytical and creative minds. And I can profit by experience --that of others as well as my own. Emma, the wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith, was a wonderful example to me.Alice Clarkson Turley ----------------------- Dear President Albright, galbright@ldschurch.org MISSIONARY MOMENT: EMMA-- "I WAS TOO TIRED TO GO WEST" I was the 108th direct descendant of the Prophet Joseph Smith to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons). I was the 2nd direct descendant of Joseph to be endowed in the new Nauvoo Temple. I think it is time to share my story with a larger audience. I was raised in the Reorganized LDS church, now known as the Community of Christ. All of my life I had been taught to distrust and fear the Mormon church which is headquartered in Utah. My journey to become a Mormon started in the summer of 2005 when I ran across a web site:JosephSmithJr.com . I spent several hours reading what was there. I e-mailed the site and explained who I was. I was contacted the next day and was invited to visit Utah in August for a Joseph Smith Family Reunion. I was fearful to go, and was actually concerned for my safety and well being. I left thinking I was like a sheep being led to the slaughter and I might be going out on a nice plane, but I was coming back in a pine box! But contrary to my beliefs, it actually was a delightful experience. My niece Kim Larson and I were picked up at the airport by John and Gwen Smith, the great-grandson of Hyrum Smith, Joseph's brother. They were our hosts for the next 3 days. Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve, a Smith cousin as a descendant of Joseph's brother Hyrum, addressed us. About 200 descendants attended the gathering. Most, like me, were not members of the Mormon church. We were also hosted by descendants of Samuel Smith, another of Joseph's brothers. Our reception was totally awesome. The warmth shared will last a lifetime. The last night we went to a play at the Marriott Center at BYU celebrating Joseph's 200th birthday. I will never again in my life have the feeling of total emotion I felt as I stood in the middle of the stadium with my family as we received a standing ovation from 23,000 people. We were also guests of honor at the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's weekly broadcast, during which music director Craig Jessop welcomed us and paid tribute to Joseph's wife, Emma, for her collection of hymns. The choir sang hymns centered on Joseph, "Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning," and "Praise to the Man." When they sang "Joseph's First Prayer," I wept openly for the first time in 50 years. This had never happened to me before, not even at the deaths of my parents, wife or son. We were also shown displays of Joseph and Emma Smith in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building as the Church celebrated the 200th anniversary of Joseph's birth. Under the direction of descendants Michael Kennedy and his wife, Darcy, and Gracia Jones - the first Smith descendant to join the Church - we held a family dinner in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City. The art department at BYU presented me with a beautiful book about my Great Great Grandfather Joseph Smith. I was also presented with an LDS Hymn Book in memory of Emma's contributions to Church music. After I returned home to Nebraska, I placed both of these new books in my living room. At this point I was a total emotional wreck, but I knew what I needed to do. For the next few months I did much research and soul searching. I looked back to the Reorganized church only to find out they had changed the church name, denounced the Book of Mormon, and denounced Joseph Smith as the prophet--all of which I was very opposed to. I felt that the original Church was the one to pursue. In January of 2006, two young Mormon Missionaries came knocking on my door, Elder Batin and Elder Williams. When I invited the elders to come inside, they immediately noticed the LDS hymnal and the art book about Joseph Smith on my table. Needless to say, when the missionaries discovered I was not a Mormon, they stayed in my living room teaching me for most of that day. Our discussion was fascinating for them and for me because I already knew so much about their church history which intertwined with RLDS history; however, many of the gospel principles were different. Over the following weeks I took all the missionary lessons and struggled with the huge disparity between what the elders were teaching me and what my RLDS friends and family had taught me my entire life. The conflict within my heart and soul grew to the point that I finally told the missionaries that even though I believed their message and all their LDS doctrines, I could not join the Mormon Church until I could find out for myself why Brigham Young had left Emma behind in Nauvoo with five children to raise. I was conflicted and could not come to a resolution that would comfort me. It did not make sense to me that Emma had been left to fend for herself, after being so instrumental in the Restoration. I also spent several evenings in the home of David and Jodi Edwards who were LDS friends of mine, and where Elder Sandhu and Elder Johnson taught me further doctrines. In April of 2006, I was driving down the highway to work and singing along loudly to a Southern gospel radio station. I still remember the song I was listening to was titled: "Joy, Joy Wonderful Joy" by the gospel group Bill and Gloria Gaithers. Suddenly, to my dismay, the radio went completely silent. I was a bit irritated at this since the car I was driving was almost new. How could the radio break so soon? I hit the dash and fiddled with the radio dials, but finally gave up and just drove along the road alone and in complete silence. In the quiet I started to ponder about my dilemma. Should I join the Mormon church as I wanted and enjoy fellowship with the Saints? Would this upset my family and the many generations of Smiths who were angry that Emma had not been taken West along with the Saints? Suddenly, to my surprise, I clearly and distinctly heard a women's voice speaking to me. It was as clear as if it had come through the radio speakers. The voice said: "Robert, Follow your heart. I stayed in Nauvoo because I was tired and could travel no further." I knew instantly that the voice belonged to Emma Smith, my Great, Great Grandmother. It was made clear to me at that moment that Emma had just given me her permission to be baptized into the Mormon Church! My ancestors would not be angry with my decision to join my new found faith. My last remaining concern and stumbling block had just been miraculously removed. I was baptized on May 13th by my cousin Michael Kennedy, the President of the Joseph Smith Family organization, and the first descendant of Joseph to receive the Melchezedic Priesthood. I was confirmed by my good friend and stake president David Edward. Also baptized at the same baptismal service by Michael was Caleb, the son my good friends David and Rebecca Denning. David is the son of my second cousin Gracia Jones and is stationed here in Omaha. I was overwhelmed with emotion that the great-great grandson and the great-great-great-great grandson of Joseph were to be baptized during the same service! It was a joyful occasion. Caleb's and my baptism was the first time that a descendant of Joseph and Hyrum had worked together in the baptism of a family member. I could only imagine the rejoicing and tears that were shed by the two brothers on the other side of the veil. Their families were being united again after 150 years. The beautiful dedicatory prayer at the Kirtland Temple offered by Joseph, especially D&C 109:70, is continuing to unfold, that the prejudices of Joseph's posterity"may be broken up and swept away as with a flood." Among Joseph and Emma's posterity are now some 125 living adult descendants who are members of the Church, and of them, at least seven have served full-time missions. Our prejudices have indeed been swept away as if by a flood! Thanks for your efforts to spread the light of truth! Warm Regards, Bob Smith Omaha, Nebraska EMAIL FROM PATSY CLARKSON (patsy@kanab.net 1/25/11) ----------------------------- Ref: Howland Chart.
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Sources - [S14] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical index.
Emma Hale Smith;; Birth: 10 JUL 1804 , Susquehanna, Pennsylvania; Death: 30 APR 1879; Father: Isaac Hale; Mother: Elizabeth Lewis Hale; Film Number: 1239622 Page Number: 1176 Reference number: 44593
Record submitted by a member of the LDS Church
Search performed using PAF Insight on 14 Mar 2006 - [S15] Patterson, Marjorie Smith, Book of Remembrance (Nancy Lynn Boulter), (Genealogy including pedigree and family group sheets for Nancy Lynn Boulter. Compiled by Marjorie Smith (Patterson) and Spencer Measom Patterson and given to Nancy for Christmas 1973. Some information added later.), 10 Mar 2006 (Reliability: 2).
- [S14] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical index.
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