Emma's Marriage to Lewis Crum Bidamon

Q: Why Did Emma marry Lewis Bidamon on the Birthday of Joseph Smith?

 A: On 23 December 1847, the 43rdss anniversary of her husband's birth, Emma married Lewis C. Bidamon in Nauvoo.  The ceremony was performed by Reverand William Haney, a Methodist minister.  Because of the date and because of the minister's religion, Emma has come under intense criticism.

Let's examine the issue of the Methodist religion first.  Emma's uncle and aunt, Nathaiel and Esther Lewis, and mother Elizabeth, were active in the Methodist Episcopal Church before moving from Vermont to northern Pennsylvania.  In fact, Nate was leader of a Methodist Sunday School class prior to leaving.  After relocating to Pennsylvania, Nate was elevated to serve as a Methodist lay minister.  Services were held in the homes of members, with funerals conducted in a nearby schoolhouse.  A Methodist circuit-rider, an ordained minister, rode into town, checked on the class, and preached every two or three weeks.  Isaac Hale, a Deist, became an active Methodist after hearing his daughter Emma utter a fervent, vocal prayer in behalf of his salvation. 

Emma sang in the choir--she loved the Methodist hymns.   A friend observed that she was often "moved upon by the Spirit."  That likely means that as a "Shouting Methodist" she Emma didn't hesitate to vocally express her feelings in meetings.  Years later, as a Latter-day Saint, Emma didn't hesitate to include some of her beloved Methodist hymns in her compilation of the Church's first hymnal. 

In regard to being married on Joseph's birthday, Dr. Haney was a circuit rider, and bound to follow a tight schedule.  Emma would not consider a non legal relationship.  They married when the circuit preacher was available.