Tribute to Emma - "How Much Can One Heart Take"

Lucy Mack Smith:  "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 ever has done."

 

Emma's Last Blessing

Some time shortly before Joseph was leaving for Carthage, Emma asked him for a blessing.  The Prophet told her he didn’t have time just then to give her a blessing, but for her to write the best blessing she could and he would sign it when he returned.”   Emma wrote [these desires of her heart as a blessing from the Lord through Joseph]:

First of all that I would crave as the richest of heaven’s blessings would be wisdom from my Heavenly Father bestowed daily, so that whatever I might do or say, I would not look back at the close of the day with regret, nor neglect the performance of any act that would bring a blessing.  I desire the spirit of God to know and understand myself that I might be able to overcome whatever Tradition or nature that would not tend to my exaltation in the eternal worlds.  I desire a fruitful, active mind, that I may be able to comprehend the designs of God, when revealed through His Servants without doubting.  I desire the spirit of discernment, which is one of the blessings of the Holy Ghost.

I particularly wisdom to bring up all the children that are, or may be committed to my charge, in such a manner that they will be useful ornaments in the Kingdom of God, and in the coming day rise up and call me blessed.

I desire prudence that I may not through ambition abuse my body and cause it to be prematurely old and care-worn, but that I may wear a cheerful countenance, live to perform all the work I covenanted to perform in the spirit-world and be a blessing to all who may in any wise need aught at my hands.

I desire with all my heart to honor and respect my husband as my head, to ever live in his confidence and by acting in unison with him to retain the place which God has given me by his side.   I desire to see my kindred and friend embrace the principles of Eternal Truth, that I may rejoice with them in the blessings which God has in store for all who are willing to be obedient to His requirements.

Finally, I desire that whatever may be my lot through life I may be enabled to acknowledge the hand of God in all things.”

Joseph went to Carthage, the blessing was never signed.  Please see our film for more on this event.

Source: Emma and Joseph: Their Divine Mission”, pg. 295-296 by Gracia Jones.

Note: Emma Hale Smith died on the 30^th anniversary of the death of their twins April 30, 1879 at age 74.  Her Last words were, “Joseph! Joseph! Joseph!”  According to Joseph Smith III, she also said, “Joseph, I am Coming!”  In a dream a few nights before she died she had a dream and that “she saw a oersonage of light standing beside Joseph, even the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Source: Emma and Joseph Smith: Their Devine Mission”, p. 343.

Patriarchal Blessing of Emma Smith

“Emma, my daughter-in-law, thou art blessed of the Lord, for thy faithfulness and truth, thou shalt be blessed with thy husband, and rejoice in the glory which shall come upon him. Thy soul has been afflicted because of the wickedness of men in seeking the destruction of thy companion, and thy whole soul has been drawn out in prayer for his deliverance; rejoice, for the Lord thy God has heard thy supplication. Thou hast grieved for the hardness of the hearts of thy father’s house, and thou hast longed for their salvation. The Lord will have respect to thy cries, and by his judgments he will cause some of them to see their folly and repent of their sins; but it will be by affliction that they will be saved. Thou shalt see many days, yea, the Lord will spare thee till thou art satisfied, for thou shalt see thy Redeemer. Thy heart shall rejoice in the great work of the Lord, and no one shall take thy rejoicing from thee. Thou shalt ever remember the great condescension of thy God in permitting thee to accompany my son [Joseph] when the angel delivered the record of the Nephites to his care. Thou hast seen much sorrow because the Lord has taken from thee three of thy children:  in this thou art not to be blamed, for he knows thy pure desires to raise up a family, that the name of my son might be blessed.  And now, behold, I say unto thee, that thus says the Lord, if thou will believe, thou shalt yet be blessed in this thing and thou shalt bring forth other children, to the joy and satisfaction of thy sould and to the rejoicing of thy friends.  Thou shalt be blessed with understanding, and have power to instruct thy sex, teach thy family righteousness, and thy little ones the way of life, and the holy angels shall watch over thee and thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, even so, Amen.

Oliver Cowdery, Clerk and Recorder.  Kirtland, December 9, 1834.  [Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:4-5]

Emma's Last Dream - A promise from Joseph

Emma was promised throughout her relationship with her husband, Joseph, the Prophet of God, she would have all of her children.  That promise continually gave her strength and hope as she would lose many of her children.  Emma had 9 children of birth and 2 she adopted, but only 5 lived to adulthood.  But even then she loses 2 more before they could give her any grandchildren.  Living the remainder of her life with hope of that promise she has a dream shortly before she leaves this life told in this video.  The voice is Kimberly Jo Smith, great-great-great granddaughter to Joseph and Emma.  Produced by Seth Adam Smith.