Q: What events did Emma actively participate for the Restoration of the Gospel?

A: Of all persons listed in the history of the Church or made note of in the Doctrine and Covenants, Emma is the only one who stands next to Joseph being aware and/or particpate in every event from the moment Joseph Smith was able to retrive the gold plates from the Hill Cumorah to his death at Carthage.

Emma Hale Smith's Role in the Restoration of the Church

Emma played a much more important role in the Restoration than people realize.

-On 21-22 September 1827, Emma was waiting nearby when Joseph received the gold plates from Moroni.
-She was the first scribe as Joseph translated the Book of Mormon.
-Emma touched and hefted the plates.
-She was the first witness of the process of translation.

-Emma was the only woman in this dispensation for whom a prophet of God has received a revelation (D&C 25, July 1830, as well as D&C 132:51-56, July 1843).   The Lord termed Emma an "elect lady" (D&C 25:3).  The Prophet Joseph later explained that the title means "to be elected to a certain work" (History of the Church 4:552).  She was given four assignments from the Lord:

1. She was to be "a comfort unto my servant, Joseph Smith, Jr., in his afflictions, with consoling words, in the spirit of meekness" (D&C 25:5).

2. To "be unto him for a scribe, while there is no one to be a scribe for him" (D&C 25:6).  Emma briefly served as one of six scribes as Joseph translated the Bible.  She recorded Genesis 5:12-21; JST Genesis 6:17-53; and Moses 6:19-52 (Faulring, Jackson, and Matthew, eds., Joseph Smith's New Translation of the Bible.  Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, 2004, p. 4).

3. She was to be "ordained . . . to expound scriptures, and to exhort the church, according as it shall be given thee by my Spirit" (D&C 25:7).  On 12 March 1842 she was elected to be the first president of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo in fulfillment of that charge.

4. Emma was charged to "make a selection of sacred hymns . . . to be had in my church" (D&C 25:11).  Assisted by William W. Phelps, her hymnal was made available in Kirtland, Ohio, in 1836.  In 1841 she completed a greatly expanded version in Nauvoo, Illinois.

During the winter of 1831, Emma received a patriarchal blessing from Joseph Smith, Sr.  She was told that she would bear additional children (her first three had passed away); receive power to instruct other women; be watched over by angels, and be saved in the kingdom of God (Garr, Cannon, and Cowan, eds, Latter-day Saint History.  Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 2000, p. 1112.

While fleeing Missouri with her children, Emma preserved the manuscript of the New Translation of the Bible in a canvas bag concealed under her skirt.  For years she kept the manuscript in a quilt trunk.  In 1865 she  allowed her son, Joseph Smith III, to publish the manuscript as the "Holy Scriptures."                                                                             hj  

Later Achievements in Nauvoo

Although she did not go West with the Saints, Emma exemplified the true spirit and high ideals of the gospel and the Relief Society.  She raised several children who were not her own.  As a midwife she successfully delivered many babies.  She reached out to the youth of the community and welcomed them in her home.  She was continually charitable toward those in need.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
A Special Witness

Emma was promised in her patriarchal blessing that she would see the Savior before she died.  A few weeks prior to her passing she dreamed that the Prophet Joseph came for her and took her through their heavenly mansion.  As the dream concluded, she saw the Savior standing next to her husband, the Prophet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Emma was tried and tested more than any other woman who was the wife of a prophet of God.  She was not perfect, but overall, her life reflected the higher.