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Beloved Emma: The Illustrated Life Story of Emma Smith
Revered as "an elect lady" and denounced as a "damned liar," Emma Hale Smith had a life full of contradictions- trials and triumphs, sorrows and strength, fears and faith. Raised in a well-respected family, she gave up everything to marry a poor, uneducated farm boy. Her unwavering support of the Prophet Joseph through intense persecution and suffering is legendary, and although she lived in relative comfort and security in her later years. Emma's life continued to be laced with tragedy and heartache. This well-documented narrative provides a personal glimpse into the life of a woman who remains one of the most mysterious and misunderstood women in LDS Church history today. With beautiful full-color illustrations by renowned artist Liz Lemon Swindle, the story is told using many first-person accounts. Readers will gain valuable insights into the remarkable life and character of Emma Hale Smith.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
23 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
November 16, 2016
I enjoyed this book. There was a lot of history of Joseph but I expected as much. More has been written about him. I loved the seamless story from beginning to end. Many historical puzzle pieces were put into place for me. I also liked that the author did not take liberty with Emma's history. She added supposition based on the common emotions many people have, but she never said for sure. And I agree with her closing sentiment - if I'm granted the priviledge of meeting Emma in the next life I will tell her "Thank you". If she always chose the right, she wouldn't be the example she is for me. Mistakes make her human and her situation I almost would give her a few as freebies just because too much of her life was beyond unfair.
July 4, 2011
Lucy Mack Smith said of her daughter-in-law, Emma:
“I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she has ever done; for I know that which she has had to endure—she has been tossed upon the ocean of uncertainty—she has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would have borne down almost any other woman.” (Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith)
This is a book where I wanted to take a long time reading it instead of devouring it. The reason? I always felt uplifted and renewed after reading just a chapter. You see, I have this thing in my life where I focus on all of my troubles and trials. I stress. I worry. I focus too much on myself and my own problems instead of looking outwards on helping others.
Here are some of my pity parties over the last several years: unable to have children, workaholic husband with a 10-20 hour per week church calling AND going to school 6 credits per semester at night, financial troubles, feeling out of control of my life, not knowing what job we'll have or where we'll be living in a month, lots of housework in addition to four or five part-time jobs, mysterious health problems, difficulties in my calling in presidency at church, etc. etc. I bet if I kept on thinking about it I could keep finding things to feel sorry for myself - but that's a good place to stop. So I feel like I have a kinship with Emma Smith. Mostly because I think she gets it, but also because she had my trials x 1000. So it gives me a little perspective. Here's a little peek of what I mean. Let's see:
1. Unable to have children . Let's see, I think I read that she had trouble getting pregnant, hen she was able to become pregnant half of them died. She went on to have 11 children (two of them adopted) and 6 of whom died in infancy. Her first child died hours after birth, followed three years later by premature twins that died soon after birth. A neighbor had died that day giving birth to twins - the father gave Julie and Joseph to Emma and Joseph to raise. One of her twins died from catching the flu when an angry mob stormed their home during winter and tarred and feathered Joseph right outside the front door. So did she live with 4 years of childlessness? Yes, but with so much more tragedy! She went on to have three healthy boys followed by Don Carlos, who died at age one of sickness. Then she delivered a stillborn child a year later. Two years later her husband was murdered while she was pregnant. She gave birth to a boy as a widow.
2. Husband never home. At one point in the book it mentions one year Joseph was only home with his family (alone, no one else there) one day - Christmas day. He left again the next day. I think that was while they were in Kirtland. Often he rushed home for when Emma was to deliver a baby only to leave the next day.
3. Financial troubles. Lots of housework in addition to jobs. Um, let's see lost $30k in a joint bank venture in Kirtland during the time there were banks failing everywhere - some sort of recession I guess. Do you know how much money that would be today? And overwhelming, depressing amount. Near the end in Nauvoo their assets of the store and hotel became co-mingled with the church's assets and financially they were pretty secure. But once they were in Nauvoo so many people stopped by and stayed with the family they had to put a sign up outside their front door that said so many people and stay and all are welcome, but to do so they changed their home into a hotel so they could afford it. So Emma was a working woman. Not one day off from running a hotel and feeding and cleaning up after guests. And her hotel was never empty and she hosted large dinner parties constantly. And still being pregnant and taking care of the littles? Seriously, it exhausts me just to read about everything she did.
You know, I could go on . . . but the point is that every little trial or problem I've had in my life Emma had it magnified by 1000. And more. So that is the reason I believe this book could change my life. I think I'd like to own a copy of it and to constantly be reading and reminding myself and giving myself perspective.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~But enough about me - let's move on to the actual review of the book.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I worked at Ricks College when sports were disbanded in the transition to BYUI. And let me tell you there were A LOT of people not happy about it. These people could make a choice to complain and fight or follow in faith. Lori Woodland was the successful basketball coach and she transitioned into teaching religion and as an administrator in the Activities Program. She is now retired. This book includes exhaustive research, including pages and pages and pages of endnotes at the back of the book. I feel the content is presented quite objectively. Emma is shown as an incredible woman who overcomes more than anyone should be able to bear. But she also had flaws, and they weren't glossed over. The author tries to tell the story of her life not with suppositions and filling in the gaps, but by telling stories based on first-hand accounts. There are many things Emma did and said that we don't know why. The author doesn't try to convince you why one way or the other - but to present what others had said. Kind of a 'maybe this is why she did this, or maybe this is why; we will never know' sort of approach. She even brings up the incident about Eliza R. Snow. She was one of Joseph's polygamous wives who apparently was pregnant and living in their home. She lost her baby in a fall down the stairs. It is rumored that Emma pushed her. This information is presented as being a part of her story, but also with the same, 'we will never know the truth about really happened, but it belongs in her story' approach.
And so I come to polygamy, the nitty gritty. And I will tell you now, knowing myself as I do - I just couldn't. I couldn't. And in the church we don't really talk about it very much, especially the details of it all. And Emma had to live it. The author provides a wealth of information on Emma's response and a lot of detail about the goings on back and forth between Emma and Joseph that I had never heard. In fact there is so much information in here I'd never heard before that Darik very quickly got tired of, "Guess what else I read . . . "
The other part that I am so glad I read is the details surrounding what happened after Joseph's death and how she came to stay in Nauvoo instead of going with the saints to Utah. I think she may have been persuaded to go - but this time of upheaval was filled with many miscommunications and hurt feelings between her and Brigham Young, especially for a grieving widow with a newborn. And ultimately what I think it came down to is that she was staunchly opposed to polygamy. A very vocal opponent. And here in Nauvoo the church deeded all of Joseph's property and business to her after his death. She had a home and a way to provide for her family. This was VERY rare in those days where women can't vote or own property. She was secure, as a single mother with many young children. I think she supposed leaving everything and going to Utah would probably require her to marry again - and chances were she'd be pushed into a polygamous marriage again and she just couldn't bring herself to that. There is A LOT more in this book about the time from Nauvoo to her death. The book ends with discussion and documentation of things said and thought about Emma - perfect heroine or fallen heretic? You need to read the book and decide for yourself!!
I feel like instead of telling you in the book I just need to tell you to read it. If you have ever had any desire to learn more about Emma, you must. This is the best source I've found. I've been studying and trying to learn more about her ever since I lived in Iowa and my temple district was Nauvoo. It was such a blessing to have that temple be my home temple and have the experiences of learning the things I did there.
The last thing I want to say is that my favorite song of all time, Emma by The Nashville Tribute, says it all even more beautifully. Here are the lyrics.
Never had an ordinary day
Never lived your life in an ordinary way
For everything you loved you paid a price
But you couldn't let the world see you cry
Never had a moment of peace
Never felt the sunlight when the worries set you free
Every time your life turned a page
It seemed like your heart might break
With the world on your shoulders
When the nights had grown colder
You seemed to weather every storm with a queen's grace
When you lost your husband, when you buried your children
I'm sure the angels stood in reverence as you prayed
How much can one heart take
How much can one heart take
Never had a day to call your own
When so many needed your warm heart as a home
Whispering a a mother's lullaby
As you sat alone by the fire
With the world on your shoulders
When the nights had grown colder
You seemed to weather every storm with a queen's grace
When you lost your husband, when you buried your children
I'm sure the angels stood in reverence as you prayed
How much can one heart take
How much can one heart take
With the world on your shoulders
When the nights had grown colder
You seemed to weather every storm with a queen's grace
When you lost your husband, when you buried your children
I'm sure the angels stood in reverence as you prayed
And I'm sure your heart breaks
When some people still say
Somewhere down the line you lost your faith
How much can one heart take?
How much can one heart take?
Also - go listen to this song, and then BUY this song on iTunes!! This group produces my favorite church music EVER. No cheesy sub-par quality LDS stuff. These are all Nashville veterans who are members of the church who collaborate to produce actual quality LDS music. Their 3rd album comes out in August. Go check it out.
http://www.nashvilletribute.com/wp-co...
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/emma...
“I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she has ever done; for I know that which she has had to endure—she has been tossed upon the ocean of uncertainty—she has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would have borne down almost any other woman.” (Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith)
This is a book where I wanted to take a long time reading it instead of devouring it. The reason? I always felt uplifted and renewed after reading just a chapter. You see, I have this thing in my life where I focus on all of my troubles and trials. I stress. I worry. I focus too much on myself and my own problems instead of looking outwards on helping others.
Here are some of my pity parties over the last several years: unable to have children, workaholic husband with a 10-20 hour per week church calling AND going to school 6 credits per semester at night, financial troubles, feeling out of control of my life, not knowing what job we'll have or where we'll be living in a month, lots of housework in addition to four or five part-time jobs, mysterious health problems, difficulties in my calling in presidency at church, etc. etc. I bet if I kept on thinking about it I could keep finding things to feel sorry for myself - but that's a good place to stop. So I feel like I have a kinship with Emma Smith. Mostly because I think she gets it, but also because she had my trials x 1000. So it gives me a little perspective. Here's a little peek of what I mean. Let's see:
1. Unable to have children . Let's see, I think I read that she had trouble getting pregnant, hen she was able to become pregnant half of them died. She went on to have 11 children (two of them adopted) and 6 of whom died in infancy. Her first child died hours after birth, followed three years later by premature twins that died soon after birth. A neighbor had died that day giving birth to twins - the father gave Julie and Joseph to Emma and Joseph to raise. One of her twins died from catching the flu when an angry mob stormed their home during winter and tarred and feathered Joseph right outside the front door. So did she live with 4 years of childlessness? Yes, but with so much more tragedy! She went on to have three healthy boys followed by Don Carlos, who died at age one of sickness. Then she delivered a stillborn child a year later. Two years later her husband was murdered while she was pregnant. She gave birth to a boy as a widow.
2. Husband never home. At one point in the book it mentions one year Joseph was only home with his family (alone, no one else there) one day - Christmas day. He left again the next day. I think that was while they were in Kirtland. Often he rushed home for when Emma was to deliver a baby only to leave the next day.
3. Financial troubles. Lots of housework in addition to jobs. Um, let's see lost $30k in a joint bank venture in Kirtland during the time there were banks failing everywhere - some sort of recession I guess. Do you know how much money that would be today? And overwhelming, depressing amount. Near the end in Nauvoo their assets of the store and hotel became co-mingled with the church's assets and financially they were pretty secure. But once they were in Nauvoo so many people stopped by and stayed with the family they had to put a sign up outside their front door that said so many people and stay and all are welcome, but to do so they changed their home into a hotel so they could afford it. So Emma was a working woman. Not one day off from running a hotel and feeding and cleaning up after guests. And her hotel was never empty and she hosted large dinner parties constantly. And still being pregnant and taking care of the littles? Seriously, it exhausts me just to read about everything she did.
You know, I could go on . . . but the point is that every little trial or problem I've had in my life Emma had it magnified by 1000. And more. So that is the reason I believe this book could change my life. I think I'd like to own a copy of it and to constantly be reading and reminding myself and giving myself perspective.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~But enough about me - let's move on to the actual review of the book.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I worked at Ricks College when sports were disbanded in the transition to BYUI. And let me tell you there were A LOT of people not happy about it. These people could make a choice to complain and fight or follow in faith. Lori Woodland was the successful basketball coach and she transitioned into teaching religion and as an administrator in the Activities Program. She is now retired. This book includes exhaustive research, including pages and pages and pages of endnotes at the back of the book. I feel the content is presented quite objectively. Emma is shown as an incredible woman who overcomes more than anyone should be able to bear. But she also had flaws, and they weren't glossed over. The author tries to tell the story of her life not with suppositions and filling in the gaps, but by telling stories based on first-hand accounts. There are many things Emma did and said that we don't know why. The author doesn't try to convince you why one way or the other - but to present what others had said. Kind of a 'maybe this is why she did this, or maybe this is why; we will never know' sort of approach. She even brings up the incident about Eliza R. Snow. She was one of Joseph's polygamous wives who apparently was pregnant and living in their home. She lost her baby in a fall down the stairs. It is rumored that Emma pushed her. This information is presented as being a part of her story, but also with the same, 'we will never know the truth about really happened, but it belongs in her story' approach.
And so I come to polygamy, the nitty gritty. And I will tell you now, knowing myself as I do - I just couldn't. I couldn't. And in the church we don't really talk about it very much, especially the details of it all. And Emma had to live it. The author provides a wealth of information on Emma's response and a lot of detail about the goings on back and forth between Emma and Joseph that I had never heard. In fact there is so much information in here I'd never heard before that Darik very quickly got tired of, "Guess what else I read . . . "
The other part that I am so glad I read is the details surrounding what happened after Joseph's death and how she came to stay in Nauvoo instead of going with the saints to Utah. I think she may have been persuaded to go - but this time of upheaval was filled with many miscommunications and hurt feelings between her and Brigham Young, especially for a grieving widow with a newborn. And ultimately what I think it came down to is that she was staunchly opposed to polygamy. A very vocal opponent. And here in Nauvoo the church deeded all of Joseph's property and business to her after his death. She had a home and a way to provide for her family. This was VERY rare in those days where women can't vote or own property. She was secure, as a single mother with many young children. I think she supposed leaving everything and going to Utah would probably require her to marry again - and chances were she'd be pushed into a polygamous marriage again and she just couldn't bring herself to that. There is A LOT more in this book about the time from Nauvoo to her death. The book ends with discussion and documentation of things said and thought about Emma - perfect heroine or fallen heretic? You need to read the book and decide for yourself!!
I feel like instead of telling you in the book I just need to tell you to read it. If you have ever had any desire to learn more about Emma, you must. This is the best source I've found. I've been studying and trying to learn more about her ever since I lived in Iowa and my temple district was Nauvoo. It was such a blessing to have that temple be my home temple and have the experiences of learning the things I did there.
The last thing I want to say is that my favorite song of all time, Emma by The Nashville Tribute, says it all even more beautifully. Here are the lyrics.
Never had an ordinary day
Never lived your life in an ordinary way
For everything you loved you paid a price
But you couldn't let the world see you cry
Never had a moment of peace
Never felt the sunlight when the worries set you free
Every time your life turned a page
It seemed like your heart might break
With the world on your shoulders
When the nights had grown colder
You seemed to weather every storm with a queen's grace
When you lost your husband, when you buried your children
I'm sure the angels stood in reverence as you prayed
How much can one heart take
How much can one heart take
Never had a day to call your own
When so many needed your warm heart as a home
Whispering a a mother's lullaby
As you sat alone by the fire
With the world on your shoulders
When the nights had grown colder
You seemed to weather every storm with a queen's grace
When you lost your husband, when you buried your children
I'm sure the angels stood in reverence as you prayed
How much can one heart take
How much can one heart take
With the world on your shoulders
When the nights had grown colder
You seemed to weather every storm with a queen's grace
When you lost your husband, when you buried your children
I'm sure the angels stood in reverence as you prayed
And I'm sure your heart breaks
When some people still say
Somewhere down the line you lost your faith
How much can one heart take?
How much can one heart take?
Also - go listen to this song, and then BUY this song on iTunes!! This group produces my favorite church music EVER. No cheesy sub-par quality LDS stuff. These are all Nashville veterans who are members of the church who collaborate to produce actual quality LDS music. Their 3rd album comes out in August. Go check it out.
http://www.nashvilletribute.com/wp-co...
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/emma...
November 23, 2008
This is a beautiful book (illustrations by Liz Lemon Swindle) that does an excellent job of giving a history of Emma Smith. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Sad, but very good. I love this author's philosophy: "When I am asked questions about Emma's exaltation by members of the Church with whom I visit, my usual response is something like this: I have no more information than anyone else regarding Emma's eternal future. What I do know is that if I am ever blessed with the opportunity to meet Emma, I hope and pray that as we embrace, rather than my having to whisper in her ear, "I'm sorry," she will whisper in mine, "Thank you."
June 13, 2025
This was so worth reading. I learned so much about the history of the early days of the church and Emma and her family. This was well written and very clear on what is known and not known about her life.
Emma was the most amazing woman I’ve ever read about. She gave all. Over and over through the hardest of circumstances. She is an absolute, undeniable heroine. I would love to meet her someday and tell her that. I’m not saying she was perfect, but she gave more effort, under more duress, for a longer time than anyone I’m aware of. I hope she is enjoying the peaceful reward she has surely earned.
Emma was the most amazing woman I’ve ever read about. She gave all. Over and over through the hardest of circumstances. She is an absolute, undeniable heroine. I would love to meet her someday and tell her that. I’m not saying she was perfect, but she gave more effort, under more duress, for a longer time than anyone I’m aware of. I hope she is enjoying the peaceful reward she has surely earned.
January 31, 2018
The art in the book grabbed my attention at the library. You can take bigger chances on library books, and our local library is so small that there is very little selection at all. Being a lover of history, I allowed the art to persuade me.
I read the book in one sitting, and with some skimming, mostly because it's more a Joseph Smith history from Emma's point of view. I don't wish to be too critical because I know there isn't a lot of information out there, and what remains is contradictory or cannot be verified, or historically unreliable. Still, I hoped the book would focus on what details of Emma's life are available and allow her to be seen, rather than eclipsed by her husband's experiences.
Very little attention is given to the subject of polygamy. Chapter 25 is only three pages long and gives very little information. The author chose carefully the quotes and information to include, and remains quite neutral.
The more interesting portion of the book to me were the chapters describing Emma's life after the death of Joseph. I wished for more information; it seems the author is again attempting to remain gently neutral rather than discuss any of the controversial aspects of Emma's involvement with Church leaders in the chaotic years following the assassination.
Pleasantly and kindly written, Emma is presented as a generous and humble woman, courageous and patient. Worth reading.
I read the book in one sitting, and with some skimming, mostly because it's more a Joseph Smith history from Emma's point of view. I don't wish to be too critical because I know there isn't a lot of information out there, and what remains is contradictory or cannot be verified, or historically unreliable. Still, I hoped the book would focus on what details of Emma's life are available and allow her to be seen, rather than eclipsed by her husband's experiences.
Very little attention is given to the subject of polygamy. Chapter 25 is only three pages long and gives very little information. The author chose carefully the quotes and information to include, and remains quite neutral.
The more interesting portion of the book to me were the chapters describing Emma's life after the death of Joseph. I wished for more information; it seems the author is again attempting to remain gently neutral rather than discuss any of the controversial aspects of Emma's involvement with Church leaders in the chaotic years following the assassination.
Pleasantly and kindly written, Emma is presented as a generous and humble woman, courageous and patient. Worth reading.
July 17, 2025
Well-written and easy to read, also pretty well documented, even though the author Lori E. Woodland is not a historian. I especially enjoyed learning of Emma's life after her husband Joseph Smith died. The biography did a fairly good job balancing Emma's reputation: "revered as 'an elect lady' and denounced as a 'damned liar'." I think, as the title suggests, author Woodland leans to the side of elect lady, and Emma really is quite remarkable.
June 24, 2025
Libby. Book on Emma Smiths life. Most found in church History but several stories and events I had not head. Interesting insight to Emma. I feel she is definitely a Elect Lady who our Heavenly Father lives dearly and who are we to question her actions. A loving Father has all the answers and sees what is truthfully in the Heart Thank Goodness 💜
October 9, 2018
It is a beautifully written book about Emma Smith, the wife of Joseph Smith. She had so many very hard trials in her life and remained a charitable and loving woman. Her love for Joseph and the Lord sustained her through so much.
August 13, 2025
I wish there was more to know about such an amazing woman but alas, her life was not well documented. This book does a great job at taking known events and little tidbits we have from Emma and trying to get her perspective. Really enjoyed learning more about her especially after Joseph’s death.
October 24, 2018
fantastic.
January 4, 2022
Made Emma come alive. Enjoyed it!
August 8, 2025
I love Emma for her grit, integrity, and resilience among other things. What a difficult, complex life she lived.
February 4, 2009
This was a very fascinating read for me and the artwork is beautiful. I have always been very impressed with Emma. I have nothing but respect and admiration for her. She who went against her father's wishes to marry Joseph and all of the struggles and hardships she endured. I can't imagine losing so many children and remaining sane. She went through every struggle imaginable--loss of a business, loss of children, move after move, persecution...a lady in today's society would have divorced her husband with all of the hardships that came with being the wife to a modern-day prophet, but she persevered and truly loved her husband. I'm glad the author included what happened to Emma after the martyrdom of Joseph, as I wanted to know more about her and why she remained in Nauvoo and joined with the RLDS. I felt for her and truly understood her feelings. I was also excited to read about my husband's ancestors who had such a great part in the beginning of the church with Joseph--Joseph Knight Sr, Polly Peck and her father Hezekiah Peck. It's fun to read about your ancestors and the role they played in the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
July 5, 2009
This is an excellent gift book and a good one for LDS families to own, because it is especially fine in its simple, concise and readable exposition of events. Somehow the organization and transitions help church history to flow chronologically and all fit together, in a readable version for everyone. This is a review of church history with an emphasis on Emma and her role. The author doesn't leave out controversal items, but presents them simply without a lot of speculation. She has done a superior job of choosing letters from Joseph and Emma and accounts from their young son Joseph. Some of the little human stories were new to me, even though I have read other bigger books on Emma. The stories are well chosen to make her experiences feel familiar to other women. One of my strongest feelings in reading this book is that Emma truly understood what Relief Society means.......she
lived what she imagined it should be.
lived what she imagined it should be.
October 2, 2013
I have always been a great admirer of Emma's strength. I enjoyed the added insight into her life but I wish the book had stayed true to being a biography if her instead of becoming a retelling of LDS history with little tidbits about Emma thrown in. I also disagree with the author's likening of an aged Emma giving her blessing to her second husband to marry the woman with whom he cheated, once Emma passed away, to a reconciliation to polygamy. Not the same at all. Additionally, William and Jane law were honorable people who became disaffected with the church in the Nauvoo period for very good reasons. However, the author characteristically lumped them as apostates out to destroy the work of God when they sought to bring to light some of the power seeking and duplicitousness of Joseph Smith. This is, when it comes down to it, a faith promoting account more than it is a factual one. Kudos however for painting Emma in a more positive light than widely believed by Mormons.
January 28, 2014
I was really looking forward to reading this book as I have always held Emma Smith in high esteem and have always been fascinated and curious about her life. Unfortunately, I felt that the first two thirds of this book were simply a re-telling of Joseph Smith's history; not that that's a bad thing, but I felt that it was mostly Joseph's story being told occasionally interspersed with side comments about what Emma was doing at that time and how she might have been feeling. It wasn't until the last third of the book, after Joseph's death that I felt we really got to dive into Emma the woman.
What a tragic life this woman had and what unbelievable faith and fortitude she possessed! She had to have been an elect lady to be chosen as the wife of the Prophet of the Restoration and I applaud and am in complete awe of her strength and unwavering testimony.
A worthwhile look at the life of a simply marvelous woman although not as in-depth as I had hoped.
What a tragic life this woman had and what unbelievable faith and fortitude she possessed! She had to have been an elect lady to be chosen as the wife of the Prophet of the Restoration and I applaud and am in complete awe of her strength and unwavering testimony.
A worthwhile look at the life of a simply marvelous woman although not as in-depth as I had hoped.
March 12, 2009
I didn't know much about Emma Smith prior to reading this book, but was curious about her. I think everyone wonders what the heck happened to her, why she didn't go to Salt Lake with the other Saints, etc.
If you read this book be prepared for a lot of history. Emma didn't keep a journal and a lot of her letters weren't saved. So the author relies a lot on her children's records and other people's memories of Emma. I liked that this book wasn't all frou-frou (isn't Emma wonderful, blah, blah). This book does cover the hard subjects like polygamy and gives a lot of background that helps explain what happened to Emma. Bottom line it is a book that helps you get to know a woman who is the wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith, helps you to see that she is a human and therfore complex, and testifies of the sacrifices she made and the compassion she had.
If you read this book be prepared for a lot of history. Emma didn't keep a journal and a lot of her letters weren't saved. So the author relies a lot on her children's records and other people's memories of Emma. I liked that this book wasn't all frou-frou (isn't Emma wonderful, blah, blah). This book does cover the hard subjects like polygamy and gives a lot of background that helps explain what happened to Emma. Bottom line it is a book that helps you get to know a woman who is the wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith, helps you to see that she is a human and therfore complex, and testifies of the sacrifices she made and the compassion she had.
Read
March 5, 2009I only got to skim it as I checked it out from the library for our ward book club, and I just didn't have the time I wanted to really be able to read it. At first I was disappointed in the format (kind of distantly biographical--I felt like I was back in college reading one of the required texts). However, once I got past the "introduction" and really started seeing and reading the story, I really enjoyed it and I learned alot. I am looking forward to being able to buy it in the future and reading it in its entirety. I have felt an interesting sense of "kinship" with Emma the last couple years; it first started when it dawned on me that I was the same age as she was when she was widowed. That got me thinking and wanting to learn more about this elect lady who was such an integral part of the founding of the church.
February 26, 2009
An excellent portrait of the life of Emma Smith. Woodland describes all of the wonderful characteristics of the wife of Joseph Smith, but also does not shy away from the struggles and trials that she faced. Emma truly was an elect lady with an important role to play in the unfolding of the restoration. I sympathize with her many struggles with plural marriage and her decision not to go west with Brigham Young. I couldn't help but imagine myself in her shoes as I read- wondering how I would have handled the deaths of so many children, living in constant fear of mobs and violence, and having to share both first and second husbands with other women. I don't think any living today can possibly claim a right to judge this truly remarkable woman.
January 12, 2009
I received this book for Christmas and enjoyed reading it. I find Emma to be such an interesting person to study. I don't feel as if we can ever fully understand her. I did find this book a bit frustrating as many parts of it just seemed the story of Joseph and less about Emma. Perhaps because she wrote so little. It seemed the author was also being very careful with not wanting anything to be said that might be seen as controversial. It seemed to skim some parts. I would like to read more in depth about Emma. I think she was an amazing woman but I think at times we forget that she and Joseph were also just people with flaws and weaknesses just like anyone.
March 2, 2009
This book was written by a former Ricks College basketball coach that I knew and I was doubtful it would lend new insights or be more than a Deseret Book money maker. I'm happy to say, my assumption was wrong. The book was well-documented and insightful. One thing I liked is when the author pointed out things that Emma did that weren't inline with her overall character, she didn't try to guess at her motive. If she couldn't document it, she simply said that we may never know why she said this thing or did this. I think I grew to love Emma more from reading the book, despite some of it making me sad.
March 22, 2009
It was nice to learn more about such an important person in history. She dealt with a lot of hardship and turmoil with a smile on her face it seems, most of the time. It would have been nice to have more of her story during her time with Joseph. She gets a little lost in that part of the book. I know her story is his most of the time, but describing his jail scenes doesn't tell me about her. I know those kinds of sources are difficult to come by these days too. The gaps that did get filled in were worthwhile though.
By the way, why is the title listed here as "An Elect Lady..." even though the illustration is clearly the book that I read?...
By the way, why is the title listed here as "An Elect Lady..." even though the illustration is clearly the book that I read?...
July 15, 2009
I really enjoyed learning more about Emma Smith. What a life she led!!! I knew many of the stories (and didn't know many other stories), but having them laid out all together was almost overwhelming to me! I just have so much admiration and respect for her and the trials she continually faced - almost from the day she met Joseph. Lori Woodland had obviously done a ton of research, and cited all her sources, which I appreciated, but she also interjects her opinions and thoughts, so it's not strictly an objective history. Still, I feel that after reading it, I have a better understanding of Emma's life and am much less apt to judge her.
December 9, 2011
I thought it was really interesting to read about Emma's life in a chronological order. While I've heard many stories from her history, not all together like this. I learned several new facts I hadn't known or realized; the most startling for me, was that she gave birth to David Hyrum about 5 months AFTER Joseph's martyrdom.
I also appreciated how the author tried to stay factual in her tellings, and noted when the story was "hear say" or documented (and how). And while the whole idea of people thinking it okay to judge the salvation of Emma left a poor taste in my mouth for the end of the book, I appreciated the authors tactfulness in addressing the matter; and her straightforwardness.
I also appreciated how the author tried to stay factual in her tellings, and noted when the story was "hear say" or documented (and how). And while the whole idea of people thinking it okay to judge the salvation of Emma left a poor taste in my mouth for the end of the book, I appreciated the authors tactfulness in addressing the matter; and her straightforwardness.
June 23, 2009
This book has been sitting on my bedside table since Christmas, and I finally had a chance to pick it up this month. I've always been drawn to the story of Emma Smith. She remains one of the most mysterious and misunderstood women in LDS Church history today. This well-documented narrative provides a personal glimpse into her life, and shed some light on the mysteries of what happened to her after the death of Joseph Smith and the exodus of the Saints to the West. It definitely peaked my curiosity and left me wanting to learn more about this "Elect Lady".
March 3, 2009
After reading an interview with the author about her experience in writing this book, I expected more than I got. Written well, but it's all been written before. It basically retells the Joseph Smith story with a lot of "Emma must have thought", or other such surmising. I wanted more about Emma. There was some information at the beginning and toward the end that was new to me. I'll keep it on my bookshelves for my children to peruse. If I didn't know much about Church History, this would be a fine way to get some of the information.
February 26, 2009
I have always admired Emma Smith, but was confused as to her decisions in later life. I loved what I learned from this book. Emma like all of us was a complicated individual with vast spiritual strengths and gifts and also human weaknesses. Hers is a story of love, trials, loss, faith, and hardship. She was truly an elect lady in that she freely gave and helped the less fortunate even if it meant that her family ate johnny cake. I really enjoyed what I learned about Emma and Joseph in this book.
April 6, 2009
Since I've read other books on Emma Smith, this one wasn't particularly full of new information. But it did combine her life story with church history which gives it a bit more perspective. They do a great job of citing sources - other Emma biographies don't. They also touch on polygamy and Emma's life after Joesph's death which are touchy subjects but they covered it well and we can understand more about this wonderful lady who bore hardships I can't even fathom. I loved the artwork along the way as well. If you're only going to read one book on Emma Smith, this would be the best one.
March 10, 2009
I have read Church history extensively, particularly the lives and times of Joseph and Emma Smith, so I didn't expect this to have much new material--but it does. It is well written in story teller fashion. I found it well researched, balanced and poignant. It is not boring history and not just for women. Men would appreciate the viewpoint of the influence of historic events on the Smith family's personal life.
June 3, 2009
The text rates a 4, but the illustrations by Liz Lemon Swindle really put this over the top for me. Good balance between what was going on in Emma's life and what was generally going on around her. I do wish for a little more detail about Emma's life, but perhaps there are none to be had--there are pages and pages of endnotes, evidence of lots of careful research. Adequate explanation about why her life turned away from her husband's church after his death.
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