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Judge Me, Dear Reader
"Oh, be careful as you judge Emma, dear reader!" Few characters in Church history are as misunderstood as Emma Smith. A member of the Church from the beginning and a staunch supporter of her husband through his trials and eventual death, Emma lived a difficult life, yet many wonder how she could have turned her back on the beliefs that she held so strongly and suffered so much for. Judge Me, Dear Reader is the story of Emma, one of the greatest champions - and most criticized members - of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By showing Emma in a more sympathetic light, the author reminds each of us that Emma - and everyone else - will be judged according to the desires of their heart by the only one who can see things the Lord.
94 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 4, 2015
I read many of the reviews for Judge Me, Dear Reader and found many reactions. I first read this book many years ago--in the late 1970s, when it was first published,--and when I knew very little about Emma Smith's life. I had already heard various opinions and rumors about her, however, and wasn't sure what to think of them. At my first reading, I found this book to offer fresh insight into Emma's life, and a viable and more charitable perspective from those I had previously heard.
I just reread it--over three decades after my first reading--and still found much of value in this book.
Many who have commented here said they didn't know how they felt about the book being written in first person--from Emma's point of view. Writers often use artistic license and the first person perspective to bring a story to life. I thought it was effective, realizing, of course, that the author was doing his best to portray Emma as realistically as possible, without having walked in her shoes. Considering he is a man, and of a different time and generation, I thought he did a respectable job of "speaking" on behalf of this misjudged woman, and attempting to portray her as a real person, who had endured unimaginable hardship and loss. No one could ever fully understand her feelings, her thinking, or the workings of her mind and heart. But I believe this author did well at presenting a brief, easy to read narrative of Emma's life in an entertaining and informative manner with the information available at the time of writing. Since that time, more about her life has come to light, but still, much is left to speculation about her true feelings. I find this to be true with any biographical material. No one can ever speak for another with complete accuracy and understanding.
I appreciate Erwin Wirkus' obvious admiration for Emma Smith, and his efforts to counteract the negative opinions circulating about this amazing woman, while also portraying the struggles of mind and heart she had later in life.
I would recommend this book to anyone seeking to catch a possible glimpse into the life of this complex and elect woman.
I just reread it--over three decades after my first reading--and still found much of value in this book.
Many who have commented here said they didn't know how they felt about the book being written in first person--from Emma's point of view. Writers often use artistic license and the first person perspective to bring a story to life. I thought it was effective, realizing, of course, that the author was doing his best to portray Emma as realistically as possible, without having walked in her shoes. Considering he is a man, and of a different time and generation, I thought he did a respectable job of "speaking" on behalf of this misjudged woman, and attempting to portray her as a real person, who had endured unimaginable hardship and loss. No one could ever fully understand her feelings, her thinking, or the workings of her mind and heart. But I believe this author did well at presenting a brief, easy to read narrative of Emma's life in an entertaining and informative manner with the information available at the time of writing. Since that time, more about her life has come to light, but still, much is left to speculation about her true feelings. I find this to be true with any biographical material. No one can ever speak for another with complete accuracy and understanding.
I appreciate Erwin Wirkus' obvious admiration for Emma Smith, and his efforts to counteract the negative opinions circulating about this amazing woman, while also portraying the struggles of mind and heart she had later in life.
I would recommend this book to anyone seeking to catch a possible glimpse into the life of this complex and elect woman.
August 5, 2012
I have mixed feelings about this book. The author has taken the liberty to write as if in Emma's voice which I think is a little presumptive. What I did like was learning about experiences and trials she had that I had never heard before. She endured more extreme challenges than seem humanly possible. No one but her can understand what that was like. I have always had a great deal of respect and admiration for Emma and this helped to make her life and experiences a little more real for me.
October 21, 2018
The premise is great, but the content was lacking. I felt like the author was guessing a lot and had very vague details a lot of the time. Still, an interesting read into the life of a woman who little is known about. I did learn a few new things, but overall I was a bit disappointed in how vague the book was.
May 4, 2020
I truly loved this quick read. As heart wrenching as much of Emma's life was, she was a grand light and example for good. I've always admired Emma and her courage.
March 30, 2021
3.5 It helped me understand Emma's state of mind after the martyrdom of her husband.
January 31, 2022
just reminding us to drop them stones.
April 1, 2014
Great story of how Emma endured deaths of 6 children, murder of her husband and why she didn't follow the saints to Salt Lake. Very touching but just touched the surface of all that she endured.
"If we show our willingness to serve Him, the Lord certainly blesses us"
"They were sure Jo Smith did not have the gold plates yet they spent all their energies to take them away"
Names of children:
Alva- died 3 hours later
Louisa - Twin died 3 hours later
Thadeus - Twin died 3 hours later
Joseph S. Murdock - adopted died at 11 months of measles
Julia - lived to adulthood married Elisha who died and then married middleton
Joesph Smith III- Became a lawyer, married Emmeline - first prophet of FLDS 16 years after Father died
Frederick- died of illness at 26 left wife and daughter Alice
Alexander- died at 71 married Elizabeth Kendall had four sons and five daughters active in FLDS
Don Carlos - died suddenly at 14 months
Still Born
David Hyrum- name request by Joseph prior to his death, married at ag3 26 to Clara harshorn one child Elbert Died at age 60
"If we show our willingness to serve Him, the Lord certainly blesses us"
"They were sure Jo Smith did not have the gold plates yet they spent all their energies to take them away"
Names of children:
Alva- died 3 hours later
Louisa - Twin died 3 hours later
Thadeus - Twin died 3 hours later
Joseph S. Murdock - adopted died at 11 months of measles
Julia - lived to adulthood married Elisha who died and then married middleton
Joesph Smith III- Became a lawyer, married Emmeline - first prophet of FLDS 16 years after Father died
Frederick- died of illness at 26 left wife and daughter Alice
Alexander- died at 71 married Elizabeth Kendall had four sons and five daughters active in FLDS
Don Carlos - died suddenly at 14 months
Still Born
David Hyrum- name request by Joseph prior to his death, married at ag3 26 to Clara harshorn one child Elbert Died at age 60
January 18, 2009
I bawled like a baby towards the end of this book. Emma was an amazing woman and I hope and pray she receives a beautiful reward.
I think I would have given this 5 stars, but the writing drove me nuts. Sometimes it was smooth and then an "anyways" was thrown in. I knew it was a male author, but it was still hard for me to picture her saying some of the statements. Women would have elaborated more or not said some of the quirky things that were thrown in, especially women of that era.
That being said, it was a great compilation of history with a better understanding of all that Emma suffered and her strength that helped the Prophet in his duties and calling. I have a better understanding of Emma and a deeper appreciation for the sacrifice she and Joseph made.
I think I would have given this 5 stars, but the writing drove me nuts. Sometimes it was smooth and then an "anyways" was thrown in. I knew it was a male author, but it was still hard for me to picture her saying some of the statements. Women would have elaborated more or not said some of the quirky things that were thrown in, especially women of that era.
That being said, it was a great compilation of history with a better understanding of all that Emma suffered and her strength that helped the Prophet in his duties and calling. I have a better understanding of Emma and a deeper appreciation for the sacrifice she and Joseph made.
June 22, 2010
I found this short story of the life of Emma Hale Smith to be very interesting. The author took the liberty of writing in first person, so it reads like a diary, though it is not one. I learned many things about her life that I did not previously know. I appreciate that at the back of the book the author includes other works which can be perused to find out more of the facts of what occurred. I would have liked if he had made it a bit more factual by including footnotes, so I could look up different specific accounts, but then it wouldn't have been in the style of a diary, I suppose. If you would like to learn more about what it may have been like to be Emma and more about what happened to her family after the death of Joseph, then I recommend this book.
May 12, 2008
I learned a good bit more about the life of Emma Smith. I didn't know what happened after Joseph died all that much. I appreicated the insights to what it might have been like for her. I wonder what I would have been like mentally if I had to go through all she did.
The book it is fairly short. I read it in a few hours. It is written in a very simple style. There really isn't very much exstensive detail. Which isn't always a bad thing. It is wirtten as if she is sitting down and having a talk with you.
The book it is fairly short. I read it in a few hours. It is written in a very simple style. There really isn't very much exstensive detail. Which isn't always a bad thing. It is wirtten as if she is sitting down and having a talk with you.
March 18, 2009
This book is written from a first-person perspective, which I found captivating, as it sounds like Emma is telling you all about her life. There were elements to her that I didn't know about. I can't imagine what it would have been like to bury 7 of 11 (including the adopted twins) children, bury a husband, and to be one of the most judged women in Church history. This book helped me to understand Emma a lot more and why she made the choices she did after Joseph's death. The book doesn't justify her choices, just tries to help the reader understand why.
February 25, 2016
There are such harsh things written about Emma Smith that some authors try to make up the difference with nothing but good. This is one of those. I love Emma, but she, like everyone, did have her troubles and we don't have to ignore them to still honor her. It is written in first person, as if Emma was writting it herself which I find a bit arrogant and reckless. You can not write about another person's thoughts. Some of the "facts" are simply not correct. It was worth the time to read, but not much more than that.
December 21, 2011
I honestly don't know how any mortal can judge another, yet we do it all the time and more often than not, unrighteously too! This is a book that outlines Emma Smith's life and all she went through. It is a heartbreaking tale, but even after reading this, I still stand firm in my belief that Joseph and Emma are together and will remain together forever. I honestly think she handled her situation and what happened to her better than most. I can't say that I would have been the same. I may have gotten violent and sought revenge. I will always hold Emma in high esteem.
May 27, 2008
Can I just say that I LOVE Emma Smith? Well, I do! She was one amazing woman who was put to the test in every way (that I'm sure I would have failed), and I admire her courage. This book gives you a glimpse into her life and thoughts. You come away wanting to do nothing of the sort by way of the title!
August 3, 2009
This book is a biography done by Erwin E. Wilkus about the life of Emma Hale Smith. He tells the story as though Emma herself was speaking. It makes you wonder what might have happened if she had done things differently, but on the other hand, it gives you compassion for what she went through. I learned a lot of things about Emma by reading this.
September 17, 2009
I learned quite a bit about Emma Smith from this short book that I didn't already know, particularly after Joseph died. Because we don't know all the details of Emma's thinking, a lot is speculation mixed with the facts that we do know, but I thought Wirkus did a good job of showing Emma's point of view.
February 12, 2016
This book was amazing. I always love learning about Joseph Smith and his life and everything that happened so I was excited to read it from Emma's point of view. Towards the end I grew judgmental of her. It made me so sad the things that happened. I just am glad she still loved Joseph with all her heart and soul towards the day of her death. Good book.
September 24, 2007
I give the author an A for effort - it's an interesting take on a book (a biography of Emma Smith written as the author thinks Emma would have written her autobiography). It's not well written, though, and had enough wrong information & 'facts' to frustrate me.
October 19, 2007
This was a really quick read about the life of Emma Smith. It was written from her perspective by the author. I enjoyed learning more about Joseph and Emma's family and the trials that they indured.
April 25, 2008
i always cry when i read this, what can i say, i cannot help it. the story is so personal and shows an insight to a life followed by hardship, as well as the strength that is found and shows human nature that exists in all of ut.
March 23, 2008
I was moveds by the author's re-telling of Emma's story in her own words, but I am waiting for Leonard Arrington's most comprehensive book on Emma Smith, as this will be the definitive bok on her life.
July 28, 2008
After reading this book I gained a deeper admiration for Emma. She was a strong woman and endured many trials and hardships throughout her life. The author tells the story in first person as if he is Emma telling her own story. It's a quick read and one you won't want to put down.
April 13, 2010
I love this book and highly recommend it anyone. I like how it gives a pretty fair representation of Emma Smith and her life. It changed the way that I look at her and I found how much of a Heroine she really is.
April 18, 2010
A quick easy read with lots of small facts about Emma Smith. There isn't much detail into the facts but a good overview of her history. I enjoyed learnng more about what happened to Emma after Joseph Smith was killed.
April 9, 2013
I had such high hopes for this book and was very disappointed. It is told in the first person as though Emma wrote it herself. Someone had told me that if I read it then I would understand Emma so much more. It didn't happen. Not sure if I will ever understand her the way that I would like too.
March 28, 2015
I had a hard time reading this one. It really bothered me that the author never knew Emma but chose to write the book as if she were Emma. I did learn about Emma's life after the death of Joseph. She was a remarkable person.
April 16, 2008
I picture Emma a little different. But it does give me some more insight to what she has gone through.
April 24, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. I liked that it was taken from Emma's perspective. It also gave me more insight to her life and what she might have felt and/or thought. Great book.
Read
June 28, 2008I have a new view of Emma because of this book.
August 20, 2008
I enjoyed this book, but would like it to have gone in more detail. I did learn about Emma's feelings and such.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews