D&C Project- Emma Smith

D&C 25:2-3

‘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’

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

When I read these verses, it made me more curious about the life of Emma Smith.

Q: What made her an elect lady?

Emma was called “an elect lady.” She was a chosen vessel of the Lord. Each of you is an elect lady. You have come out of the world as partakers of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. You have made your election, and if you are living worthy of it, the Lord will honor you in it and magnify you. (Gordon B. Hinckley, “‘If Thou Art Faithful’,” Ensign, Nov 1984, 89)

Emma was obedient: “She had moved seven times in the first four years of marriage and was just recovering from a month-long illness in addition to being six months pregnant. At the end of January 1831, Joseph and Emma Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Edward Partridge set out for Kirtland.” (Church History in the Fullness of Times, p.90)

Emma was patient: “She had not yet recovered from her illness and the arduous midwinter journey from New York. On 30 April she delivered twins, but they only lived three hours. She and Joseph had now lost all three children born to them.” (Church History in the Fullness of Times, p.99)

Emma had faith: “Having stayed up late to care for his adopted infant son, who was sick with the measles, Joseph had finally fallen asleep on a trundle bed. The next thing he knew he was being dragged out the door, amid Emma’s screams. He struggled but was overpowered. The mob ridiculed him, choked him, stripped him, and tried to force a vial of acid into his mouth, which chipped one of his teeth, causing him thereafter to speak with a slight whistle. They daubed tar all over his body, covered him with feathers, and left him suffering. When Joseph finally made his way back to the house, Emma fainted at the sight of the tar, which she mistook for blood. During the night of the incident, the door to the Johnson home was left open; the infant, Joseph Smith, caught cold and died five days later. (Church History in the Fullness of Times, p.115)

Emma sacrificed: “When the party arrived at the Mississippi they found the river frozen over. Rather than risk the weight of the wagon, Emma walked across the ice holding two children, with the other two clinging to her skirt.” (Church History in the Fullness of Times, p.213)

Q: How can I be more faithful and walk in the paths of virtue?

“In very large measure each of us holds the key to the blessings of the Almighty upon us. If we wish the blessing, we must pay the price. A part of that price lies in being faithful. Faithful to what? Faithful to ourselves, to the very best that is within us. No woman can afford to demean herself, to belittle herself, to downgrade her abilities or her capacities. Let each be faithful to the great, divine attributes that are within her. Be faithful to the gospel. Be faithful to the Church. Be faithful to Him. He is the one true source of your strength. He is your Father in Heaven. He lives. He hears and answers prayers. Be faithful to God.”

“There is nothing more beautiful than virtue. There is no other strength that is greater than the strength of virtue. There is no other nobility equal to the nobility of virtue. There is no other quality so becoming, no attire so attractive.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “‘If Thou Art Faithful’,” Ensign, Nov 1984, 89)

Q: Did she remain faithful and elect?

Some of Joseph Smith’s own family did not follow the Twelve. The Prophet’s widow, Emma, could not be reconciled with the Twelve on economic and theological matters. She became embittered and influenced her children against following the direction of the Twelve. When the Saints made their exodus to the West, Emma and her family stayed in Nauvoo. (Church History in the Fullness of Times, p.295)

Although Emma chose to stay in Nauvoo, I believe the Lord knew her heart. She endured so much as the Prophet’s wife and sacrificed much for the Church. By studying Emma’s life, I have gained a greater appreciation for her and the Prophet Joseph Smith. They are such amazing examples of virtue and faith. Their trials make mine seem small.

I want to be an elect lady by sacrificing more. I will sacrifice my time by attending the temple.

D&C Assignment

Insight on the lost 116 pages (the book of Lehi) of the Book of Mormon:
In Section 10 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the revelation was given to Joseph Smith the Prophet concerning the pages that had been given to and lost by Martin Harris.
What were the consequences of Joseph's disobedience?
*The Urim and Thummim was taken away or removed AS SOON AS the pages were lost.
How was it taken? Was it taken physically? Or was the Urim and Thummim still physically there, but Joseph Smith lost his power to translate?
After the Urim and Thummim were restored for the translation of Section 3, both the plates and the Urim and Thummim were taken away again for a few days. As soon as they were restored, Section 10 was revealed concernint the loss of the 116 pages. Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual p.22)
Why did the Lord allow the plates to get lost?
*Joseph Smith needed to learn a lesson on depending completely on the Lord and not on man.In D&C 10:2 the Lord tells Joseph: And you also lost your gift at the same time, and your mind became darkened.
What does the Lord mean by "your mind became darkened"?
*Lucy Mack Smith, mother of Joseph, commented on the effect this experience had on him. "I besought him not to mourn, so, for perhaps the Lord would forgive him, after a short season of humiliation and repentance. But what could I do to comfort him, when he saw all the family in the same situation of mind as himself; for sobs and groans, and the most bitter lamentations filled the house. However, Joseph was more distressed than the rest, as he better understood the consequences of disobedience. And he continued pacing back and forth, meantime weaping and grieving, until the sunset, when, by persuasion, he took a little nourishment." (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual p.22)
When we sin, we not only affect ourselves, but others around us as well. Also, I think sometimes we, as natural men, have to learn the hard way in order to understand the importance and blessings of obedience. This is a testimony to me that the Lord loves His children enough to let us fail and be redeemed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Although Joseph Smith gave in to the temptations of Satan, the Lord knew he would be a great prophet and leader in the latter days. I think the Lord has faith in us to do our part as disciples of Jesus Christ, even when we make mistakes. In researching thsese questions I had about the consequences of the loss of the 116 pages of the Book of Mormon, I gained a greater appreciation for Joseph Smith and how he was able to learn from his mistakes and continue in the Lord's work. He did not dwell on the past, but moved forward. This is the great news of the Gospel.
As I've learned more on this topic, I've made a commitment to be more repentant, as well as forgiving of others when they do something that hurts me.

*What do you think?


C. (1981). Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.