Mother's Day Tribute

I have posted a new Book of the Month for May 2004, Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith (Univ. of Illinois Press, 2d edition, 1994), by Linda King Newell and Valeen Tippetts Avery. The controversy surrounding this book partook in an odd way of the controversy surrounding Emma Smith as a figure in LDS history. As Joseph's (first) wife, she had firsthand information concerning events associated with the publication of the Book of Mormon and with the murky, private events connected with Joseph's practice of polygamy. She later became a critic of Brigham Young's emergence as leader of the Church in the wake of Joseph's death, punctuated in later years with the ascendance of Joseph Smith III as leader of the RLDS Church.

Given that Sunday was Mother's Day, it is appropriate to quote Joseph Smith III's tribute to his mother Emma, given in the frontpiece to the book (p. v):

My mother [Emma Smith] was one of the best poised women that I ever met. Of the noblest and purest intentions herself, she never submitted to be made a party to anything low, wrong, or evil, was absolutely fearless where the right was concerned, and was a just and generous mother. Her heart never changed toward her children, and her fidelity to them never waivered. It's needless to say that we loved her. (italics in original).

Comments

[Grasshopper]

I really enjoyed this book. Emma didn't have an easy role in the restoration. I imagine Joseph III had a hard time reconciling his mother's late-life statements about Joseph's involvement in polygamy and the evidence he heard when he traveled out to Utah to investigate. I can't say that I blame Emma.

[lyle]

Yet...one wonders what would have happened if Emma had been true to the Gospel. Sad.

[Ann]

. Emma was true to something more important than "the gospel." She was true to her principles.

An exemplary woman, with the misfortune to choose men who were unable to be faithful husbands.

[Dave]

Lyle and Ann, not having read the book yet I can only shoot from the hip at this point, but it's clear that Emma was a strong personality and that she felt she was being true to something. To what or to whom she was being "true" (especially after the death of Joseph) will no doubt be a primary theme of the second half of the book.

[Kaimi]

Also, I believe the book makes clear that Emma did not approve of Brigham's polygamy, and that she realized that Joseph's plural wives were being married off to various Apostles as their plural wives. She did not want to be a trophy for any particular member, especially not as a third or fourth or twenty-fourth wife.

Also, I had the impression that Emma always believed that _she_ was the one who remained true to Joseph's memory. She was the one who stayed in Nauvoo, the city he constantly called Zion or the City of God, while other members took off for parts that Joseph Smith had never mentioned.

[lyle]

unfaithful husband. hm...that is a title i've never heard given to Joseph yet. more respectful than most i'll admit.