Emma Hale Smith

Emma Smith was the wife of Joseph Smith. She served The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a scribe for the Book of Mormon, the editor of the first hymnbook, and the first President of the Relief Society.

Emma Hale Smith was born to Isaac and Elizabeth Lewis Hale in Willingsborough (later Harmony), Pennsylvania, on July 10, 1804. She married Joseph Smith in 1827 and served as one of his scribes while he worked on the Book of Mormon translation.

In 1830, Joseph Smith dictated a revelation for Emma Smith, now known as Doctrine and Covenants 25. It gave Emma the title of “elect lady” and called on her to support Joseph Smith as his wife, act as his scribe, teach the Church, and publish a hymnbook for Church members.

Emma Smith settled in Nauvoo, Illinois, with other Latter-day Saints in 1839. As wife of the city’s mayor, she hosted distinguished visitors to the city and opened her home to sick, orphaned, and homeless individuals. She helped found the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo and served as its president until her husband’s death in 1844.

After Joseph Smith’s death, Emma Smith remained in Nauvoo, marrying Lewis Bidamon in 1847. She had 11 biological and adopted children with Joseph Smith, including 5 who lived to adulthood. One of her sons, Joseph Smith III, became president of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to which she belonged for the rest of her life. She died in Nauvoo on April 30, 1879.

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