Q: What was one of the most specific revelation God directed at Emma?

A:  Three months after the Church was organized, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation in behalf of his wife, Emma Hale Smith (LDS D&C 25). Never, before or since, has a latter-day prophet of God received a revelation, canonized, in behalf of a woman.

Prior to the calling of the first Church patriarch, Joseph Smith, Sr. in December, 1833, many early revelations were akin to patriarchal blessings without the declaration of lineage.  In December 1834, Emma received such a blessing from her father-in-law. Below are extracts from D&C 25, with some insights:

 1.  The Lord called Emma "my daughter"; and stated that "all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom." This is a reaffirmation of the statement of John the Revelator, "But as many as received [Jesus Christ], to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" -John 1:12.  Sons (and daughters) of God are those who have embraced the gospel and are candidates for exaltation and eternal life.

 All blessings are conditional, and Emma's was no exception:

2.  A revelation I give unto you concerning my will; and if thou art faithful and walk in the paths of virtue before me, I will preserve thy life, and thou shalt receive an inheritance in Zion.

3.  Behold, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou art an elect lady, whom I have called.

In forgiving Emma of her sins, it was the Lord's way of saying that she was worthy of the blessing to follow.  The phrase "elect lady" was explained fourteen years later at the time Emma was set apart as the first president of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo.  Joseph's history states:

I assisted in commencing the organization of the "Female Relief Society of Nauvoo" in the Lodge Room.  Sister Emma Smith, President, and Sister Elizabeth Ann Whitney and Sarah Ann Whitney and Sarah M. Cleveland, Counselors.  I gave much instruction, read in the New Testament, and Book of Doctrine and Covenants, concerning the Elect Lady, and showed that the elect meant to be elected to a certain work,&c., and that the revelation was then fulfilled by Sister Emma's election to the Presidency of the Society, she having previously been ordained (set apart) to expound the Scriptures.  Emma was blessed, and her counselors were ordained (set apart) by Elder John Taylor" (History of the Church 2:4:552-53).

4.  Murmur not because of the things which thou hast not seen, for they are withheld from thee and from the world, which is wisdom in me in a time to come.

Emma had served faithfully and as Joseph's scribe as he began translating the Book of Mormon plates. On occasion she picked up the covered plates while dusting the table upon which they sat.  Just prior to her death in 1879, she was interviewed by her son, Joseph Smith III.  He asked Emma if she had ever been tempted to lift up the linen cloth covering and look at the plates.  She said, "I did not attempt to handle the plates, other than I have told you, nor uncover them to look at them.  I was satisfied that it was the work of God, and therefore did not feel it to be necessary to do so . . . ."  The passage of years had evidently caused her to recall her feelings differently.

5. And the office of thy calling shall be for a comfort unto my servant, Joseph Smith, Jr., thy husband, in his afflictions, with consoling words, in the spirit of meekness.

This charge was one of Emma's greatest responsibilities, and she fulfilled it well. Joseph and Emma had a warm and loving relationship.  Whenever he was absent, he wrote wonderful letters of affection to her and their children.  Emma, in turn, was fearless, not only in extending words of comfort to Joseph, but in protecting him as well.  For example, on 17 February 1842 she wrote a letter to Illinois Governor Thomas Carlin defending him against extradition to Missouri.  She also paid Carlin a person visit to plead Joseph's cause.

6. And thou shalt go with him at the time of his going, and be unto him for a scribe, while there is no one to be a scribe for him, that I may send my servant, Oliver Cowdery, whithersoever I will.

Emma had already served faithfully as a scribe to Joseph during his initial translation of the Book of Mormon, but beginning on 1 December 1830, she also wrote slightly more than two pages of dictation while Joseph was laboring on his New Translation of the Bible.   She temporarily replaced John Whitmer, not Oliver Cowdery.   Cowdery was one of six scribes who worked on the project.                                                                                                                     

7. And thou shalt be ordained [set apart] under [Joseph's] hand to expound scriptures, and to exhort the church, according as it shall be given thee by my Spirit. 

This is another reference to Emma's future role as president of the Relief Society.  As events transpired, her opportunities an expounder of scripture and exhorter for the Church were quite brief.  But she will ever be remembered for her proclamation to the sisters, "We are going to do something extraordinary!"

8.  And it shall be given thee, also, to make a selection of sacred hymns, as it shall be given thee, which is pleasing unto me, to be had in my church.  For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."

Emma had a beautiful soprano voice and loved to sing hymns, so it was a delightful assignment.  Most religious music of early 19th century Ohio was sung as camp meetings and revivals.  While much Christian music was downcast, Latter-day Saint music was joyful. Emma gathered beloved songs from Protestant hymnals--hymns calculated to appeal to converts from other religions. 

William W. Phelps, an associate in the work, had published lyrics to thirty-three hymns in the Evening and Morning Star in Independence, Missouri.  He enjoyed revising texts from Protestant hymnals to reflect Mormon doctrine.  He was also a prolific hymn writer himself.

Thirteen of the hymns in Emma's hymnal were Baptist; eight were Church of England; one was Congregational, sixteen were independent, two were Methodist; two were Presbyterian; one was non-denominational; three, unknown; one was Shaker; and yet another was Unitarian, and two, from the General Convention of Christian Churches.

W. W. Phelps adapted eleven existing hymns, and wrote or adapted at least twenty-eight others; Parley P. Pratt wrote three hymns and perhaps two others; Edward Partridge, one; Eliza R. Snow one, and perhaps one other; Philo Dibble, one hymn, and Thomas Marsh perhaps one hymn. 

A Collection of Sacred Hymns for the Church of the Latter day Saints was published in early 1836, just prior to the dedication of the Kirtland Temple.  Six of the hymns were sung at the dedication, including three that are included in our current hymnal: "Now Let Us Rejoice," "The Spirit of Godl," and "This Earth Was Once a Garden Place."

Missionaries and members living in outlying areas were also in need of a hymnal, so Emma was asked to compile a revised and expanded version.  A Collection of Sacred Hymns for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints contained 304 hymns.  It drew seventy-seven lyrics from our British Manchester hymnal.  The hymnal was one of Emma's most meaningful contributions to the Church.

9.  Keep my commandments continually, and a crown of righteousness thou shalt receive," promised the Lord.  "And except thou do this, where I am you cannot come."

While Emma had her share of difficulties after Joseph's martyrdom, she had an open vision of the Savior just prior to her passing, and she was welcomed to the next life by her husband the Prophet Joseph.  Taken as a whole, Emma's life was worthy of a crown of righteousness. - Author Paul Thomas Smith