The coming forth of the book of mormon, foretold by ancient prophets, began with an angelic visitation in 1823 to 17yearold joseph smith. Emma smithwitness of the book of mormon one people. Emmas testimony of the book of mormon and the restoration. Emma acting as scribe for joseph smith during the translation of the book of mormon. Hence, if we accept that joseph smith was practicing polygamy which is fully accepted by the modern lds church then we can conclude that emma was either lying or she. As church membership mushroomed, and it became clear the book of mormon. It is an extremely wellresearched biography with extensive documenting notes, showing the vast amount of research done by the authors. The context of emma smiths book of mormon witness a. My wife was born in cape cod, and we love to visit the new england area. A twentyfirst century believers view of the book of mormon translation, interpreter. Smith translated the book of mormon by putting his head into a hat mormon enigma.
Nov 30, 2017 emmas participation in these miraculous undertakings did not come without great sacrifice. Emma bidamon interview with her son, joseph smith iii. Assisted js as scribe during translation of book of mormon at harmony, 1828, and. I believe he joseph was everything he professed to be. Last testimony of sister emma on february 4, 1879 joseph smith iii, the president of the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints, paid a visit to his mother, emma smith bidamon, at her home in nauvoo, illinois. I have a testimony that the book of mormon is true, joseph smith was a prophet and translated the book of mormon, and our gospel is a true one.
This book flows much, much better than most biographies. Emma hale smith bidamon july 10, 1804 april 30, 1879 was the first wife of joseph smith and a leader in the early days of the latter day saint movement. Nov 30, 2017 and it shall come to pass that the lord god shall bring forth unto you the words of a book, and they shall be the words of them which have slumbered. I have not the slightest doubt of it, she testified in an interview she gave. She references that it would be impossible for a man such as joseph smith, with no formal training, to complete this feat.
It is interesting to note that emma smith maintained her testimony of the lds church and of the book of mormon to the end of her life. This is the 2nd edition biography of emma smith, wife of joseph smith, jr. Most scholars of the book of mormon believe that js and cowdery translated the portion from mosiah to moroni first, and the portion from the first book of nephi to words of mormon second. She attended school, and was well educated for a girl of. Joseph smith could neither write nor dictate a coherent and wellworded letter, let alone dictate a book like the book of mormon. According to religion professors amy eastonflake and rachel cope, emma smith was arguably more intimately involved in the coming forth of the book of mormon than any person besides joseph.
If you would like to link to your own post about emma smith or share your testimony of the book of mormon for emmas birthday gift you can link up to it below. Her testimony was recorded by their son, joseph smith, iii. As explained in greater detail here, emmas witness of the book of mormon follows directly after her testimony on polygamy. The evidence for ancient origins, edited by noel b. Emma smith on the book of mormon translation process, quote 1. My testimony of the book of mormon by kristen duke this site is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to. Answering a question posed by her son joseph smith iii in 1879, emma smith indicated that the prophet joseph smith could not have been the author of the book of mormon, for he had neither the writing abilities nor adequate knowledge of ancient israel. Feb 28, 2020 from her questioning of emma smith, the classmate proves that the book of mormon is true, through physical and spiritual evidence. Emmas testimony on translating the book of mormon life. Emma testifies that joseph smith was a prophet, relates her experience with the book of mormon, testifies of her belief in the divine origin of the book of mormon. Book of mormon, never wavered in her testimony of the books authenticity. Seven years later, in 1830, this scriptural canon of the latterday saints was published for the world.
Here is an interview she had with her son, joseph smith iii, near the end of her life. And, though i was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, and was present during the translation of the plates, and had cognizance of things as they transpired, it is marvelous to me, a marvel and a. If he joseph smith was a prophet, which he is, later when speaking to parley p. Moroni first instructed joseph to enlist his oldest brother, alvin, to help him recover the plates. Emma smith was far more involved in the coming forth of the book of mormon than some people may realize. Could joseph smith have written the book of mormon.
First of all, she chose to marry joseph smith even though her father, isaac hale, bitterly opposed their courtship. And her faithfulness to the prophet joseph smith and to the truthfulness of the book of mormon is inspiring. Rigdon, the son of sydney rigdon visited utah and spent the winter among the mormons. Emma smiths copy of the book of mormon found joseph smith. How come joseph smiths wife, emma, joined the rlds church. Emma smith was far more involved in the coming forth of the book of. Why was emma smith a witness to the book of mormon. Harris became so convinced of the truthfulness of the record after this remarkable dream that she decided to give to the prophet joseph smith twentyeight dollars she had received from her mother before she died.
After alvins untimely death, joseph was told his replacement would be revealed by revelation. I once felt of the plates, as they thus lay on the table, tracing their outline and shape. The plates often lay on the table without any attempt at concealment, wrapped in a small linen tablecloth, which i had given him to fold them in. I have not the slightest doubt of it, she testified in an interview she gave late in life. Eventually emma smith allowed the majority of mormons under the leadership of brigham young to migrate west without her. We went back east for a wedding in nantucket, said lynn bascom. Nov 10, 2018 emma smith quoted in joseph smith iii to james t. She later became a member of the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints, headed by her son, joseph smith iii dialogue. I dont let it affect my testimony of the gospel, the truthfulness of the book of mormon and joseph smith as the prophet of the restoration or the church as gods organization here on earth. She sacrificed comfort, privacy, hardship, and many demands with what appears to be steadfast character and a strong spirit and sense of self, even. Is there any evidence that joseph was a good writer at age 23 when the book of mormon came forth and thus might have been its author. At the time of book of mormon was translated there was no church organized, and. Sidney rigdons confession to his son about the book of mormon. At the time the book of mormon was translated therc was no church organized, and rigdon did not become with joseph and me till after the church was established in.
Joseph smith as a young man could neither write nor dictate a coherent and wellworded letter, let alone dictate a book like the book of mormon. She also took care of the domestic chores needed for the survival and comfort of those more actively. Sidney rigdons final confession about joseph smith and the origin of the book of mormon. May 03, 20 emma smith was the wife of the first mormon prophet, joseph smith. Smith made several visits at my house, and at length asked my consent to his marrying my daughter emma. Read what emma smith, the wife of joseph smith, had to say about life with joseph and her involvement with the golden. Nov 01, 2016 as a result, if the book of mormon can be proved to be manmade, then the church is manmade. She claims that joseph never practiced polygamy, but it seems highly likely that he did. Today were looking at emma smiths version of history when her husband, joseph smith, jr. There have been many questions from historians about the bom translation process in the past 185 years, far too many to count. Foundation for ancient research and mormon studies, 1997. Jan 19, 2020 is there any evidence that joseph was a good writer at age 23 when the book of mormon came forth and thus might have been its author.
Why joseph smiths dictation of the book of mormon is. Volume 6 link linda king newell and valeen tippetts avery, mormon enigma. Jul 12, 2012 emmas blessing was given to her by her fatherinlaw joseph smith, sr. Why i believe the book of mormon is true emma lynne blogs.
In the relief society minutes of march 1844 emma said this. I hope that after hearing these points, that your testimony was strengthened at least a little bit like mine was. How did emma smith help bring forth the book of mormon. If you have any questions, please reach out to me or check out the link i posted at the top. She grew up in harmony, pennsylvania, along the banks of the susquehanna river on a acre farm. From her questioning of emma smith, the classmate proves that the book of mormon is true, through physical and spiritual evidence. Mar 02, 2018 emma smith bidamon to emma pilgrim, 27 march 1870, in early mormon documents, 1. Mother smith stated that lucy harris then described the record in minute detail. Cobb, february 14, 1879, community of christ libraryarchives. In an interview conducted by her son joseph smith iii in 1879, emma smith, wife of the prophet joseph smith, expressed her faith in the restored church of jesus christ, which was established in 1830 after the prophet had translated the book of mormon and published it to the world.
She attended school, and was well educated for a girl of that day. Emma hale smith bidamon july 10, 1804 april 30, 1879 was the first wife of joseph smith and a leader in the early days of the latter day saint movement, both during josephs lifetime and afterward as a member of the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints rlds church. Emma hale smith bidamon was born on july 10, 1804, to isaac and elizabeth hale. My belief is that the book of mormon is of divine authenticity. He was, however, prone to make silly mistakes, such as. Throughout the years, she has remained a complex topic for both mormons and nonmormons. Sep 19, 2019 mother smith stated that lucy harris then described the record in minute detail. And it shall come to pass that the lord god shall bring forth unto you the words of a book, and they shall be the words of them which have. Stebbins and a few others, leading minds in the church. Emma s testimony of the book of mormon and the restoration. Adams wrote in the book of mormon he received, the above is the autograph of the chief of the mormons who gave me this book at nauvoo on the 15th of may 1844. Im trying to finish up a response to callisters 2016 devotional on joseph smith creating the book of mormon. Attacks against the book of mormon have experienced a kind of mission creep since its publication in 1830. Importantly, emma smiths testimony is included here in company with the testimony of the three and the eight witnesses, as well as her husbands testimony.
Book of mormon manuscript excerpt, circa june 1829 1. The classmate affirms that the real proof is the testimony one has after they read it. I am not mormon, but emma smith was a woman ahead of her time, in that she was welleducated, intelligent, literate, and knew her own mind. Emma smith on the book of mormon translation process. That emma maintained a lifelong commitment to joseph as a prophet and to the authenticity of the book of mormon is well. Why joseph smiths dictation of the book of mormon is simply. In a conversation held in the herald office during the early days of the present year, between bishop rogers, elders w. The mormon reinvention of emma smith religion news service. In an interview with her sons a few months before she died, emma did bear her testimony. Henry edwards, the history of the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints independence.
Critics began by labeling the book bungling and stupid, joe smith a perfect ignoramus, and they claimed any blunderhead, with the bible at his side, might have written it. Emma smith wife of joseph smith i know mormonism to be the truth. The book of mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, joseph smith stated, and the keystone of our religion. How would you defend the book of mormon in a court. May 16, 2014 emmas testimony of the book of mormon and the restoration. Emma smith the essentialeven phenomenalrole emma played in bringing forth the book of mormon has been reexamined on many fronts. Emma smith was the wife of the first mormon prophet, joseph smith. Emma smiths copy of the book of mormon found joseph. Rigdon, sidneys son, asks his dad if he wrote the book of mormon or if josephs story about golden plates is true. In an interview conducted by her son joseph smith iii in 1879, emma smith, wife of the prophet joseph smith, expressed her faith in the restored church of jesus christ, which was established in 1830 after the prophet had translated the book of mormon and published it. Emma smiths witness of the book of mormon lds scripture. Scripture info book of mormon witnesses emma smith. Joseph smith iii, last testimony of sister emma, saints herald 26 october 1, 1879.
Emma smith witnesses of the golden plates and book of mormon. Roger nicholson, the spectacles, the stone, the hat, and the book. The maxwell institute study edition is ideally suited to both new readers of the book of mormon and also those who know the book well and have loved its teachings and testimony of christ for many years. Last testimony given by emma in an interview with her sons. As a result, if the book of mormon can be proved to be manmade, then the church is manmade. Having a womans witness is important for so many reasons, and it is a relief that the editor also felt that including her voice was imperative to this printing. Joseph smith iii, last testimony of sister emma, saints herald, 1 oct. Emma smiths last testimony is used to support the narrative that joseph smiths translation of the book of mormon was miraculous, particularly that he didnt have a book or manuscript to read from, and that he could not have concealed a manuscript from her. Callister repeatedly refers to emma s testimony of the book of mormon, so i ended up creating a single page to discuss reasons why we shouldcould be wary of emma s testimony. This exquisitely produced volume presents the official latterday saint edition of the book of mormon in an attractive, accessible, readable version that brings to latterday saints the helpful features that have been part of standard bible publishing for decades.
Emma 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. How would you defend the book of mormon in a court of. There were questions that he had to ask his mother about his murdered father while he still had time. Last testimony of emma smith eve out of the garden. Henry edwards, the history of the reorganized church.
Last testimony of sister emma, the saints herald 26, no. All truth is independent in that sphere in which god has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also, otherwise there is no existence. Book of mormon manuscript excerpt, circa june 1829 1 nephi 2. Harris insisted that he take it to assist in bringing forth the book of mormon.
At the home of john quincy adams, they found an 1841 copy of the book of mormon that originally belonged to someone very special in church history emma smith, wife of the prophet joseph smith. Emma smith bidamon a witness of the book of mormon. Once we have a foundational testimony of the book of mormon, then. In an interview conducted by her son joseph smith iii in 1879, emma smith, wife of. Mar 24, 20 smith translated the book of mormon by putting his head into a hat mormon enigma. On the other hand, if its origin is godgiven, then joseph smith was a prophet, and if he was a prophet, then the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is true. Although emma remained estranged from brigham young and the latterday saints in utah, she maintained her belief in joseph smiths prophetic role and in the divine truth of the book of mormon.
Oct 18, 2015 today were looking at emma smiths version of history when her husband, joseph smith, jr. Emma smithwitness of the book of mormon home latest updates emma smithwitness of the book of mormon. Parley pratt had unitcd with the church befire knew sidney rigdon or heard of him. In his book studies of the book of mormon, roberts concluded that joseph smith had sufficient imagination and was capable of producing the book of mormon even though he had little formal education. Many people have focused almost entirely on the decisions she made in the last years of joseph smiths life and after his death, and sometimes those events trouble mormons and please non. Joseph smith, history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, 7 volumes, edited by brigham h. In a conversation held in the herald office during the early days of the present year, between. Stebbins and a few others, leading minds in the church, it was thought advisable to secure from mother bidamon, sister emma smith, her testimony upon certain points upon which various opinions existed. Harris insisted that he take it to assist in bringing forth the. In these various capacities, she was both an active participant and an intimate witness of the miraculous events as they unfolded.
Bidamon to emma smith dated 11 january 1847, department of history, reorganized church of jesus christ of latterday saints, independence, missouri. Joseph smith did not sign more than a handful of copies of the book of mormon, said brother fox. Aug 25, 2019 adams wrote in the book of mormon he received, the above is the autograph of the chief of the mormons who gave me this book at nauvoo on the 15th of may 1844. She helped joseph smith retrieve the plates, participated in the translation as a scribe, and recorded her physical encounters with the covered plates. Testimony of emma smith testimony of the prophet joseph smith brief explanation about the book of mormon brief history of the test. A witness of the book of mormon emma hale smith bidamon was born on july 10, 1804, to isaac and elizabeth hale.