Emma Hale Smith Bidamon

Emma Hale Smith Bidamon (July 10, 1804 – April 30, 1879) was the first wife of Joseph Smith Jr., founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, and a significant religious leader in her own right. She served as a scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon, became the first president of the Relief Society, and later played a crucial role in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ) following her husband's death. [1]

Emma's life spanned the entire founding era of Mormonism, from its origins in rural New York through the establishment of major Mormon communities in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Her influence extended far beyond her role as the prophet's wife—she was a theological voice, organizational leader, and bridge between competing factions after Joseph Smith's assassination in 1844.

Early Life and Marriage

Emma Hale was born in Willingsborough (later Harmony), Pennsylvania, to Isaac and Elizabeth Lewis Hale on July 10, 1804. [4] Her family were established residents of the Susquehanna County area, and her father Isaac was known as a practical, skeptical man who initially opposed his daughter's relationship with Joseph Smith Jr.

The courtship between Emma and Joseph began around 1825 when Joseph was working in the area as part of a treasure-hunting expedition. Despite her father's strong objections to the match, Emma married Joseph Smith on January 18, 1827, in South Bainbridge, New York. [5] The marriage required them to elope, as Isaac Hale refused to give his consent, viewing Joseph as an unreliable fortune seeker.

The couple initially lived with Emma's parents in Harmony, Pennsylvania, where some of the most significant early events of Mormon history would unfold. It was in this setting that Joseph claimed to have received the golden plates and began the translation work that would become the Book of Mormon.

Role in Early Mormon History

Book of Mormon Translation

Emma played a direct role in the creation of the Book of Mormon, serving as one of Joseph's scribes during the translation process in 1828. [5] She later testified that she had handled the plates while they were covered with a cloth, describing them as having "the appearance of gold" and making a metallic sound when moved. Her firsthand involvement in this foundational Mormon text gave her unique authority within the early church.

During the translation period, Emma witnessed the intense spiritual experiences that Joseph claimed to have, including visits from heavenly messengers. Her support during these early, uncertain years was crucial to Joseph's ability to continue his prophetic work despite widespread skepticism and opposition.

Doctrine and Covenants 25

In 1830, Joseph Smith dictated a revelation specifically for Emma, now canonized as Section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants. [4] This revelation called her "an elect lady" and instructed her to "expound scriptures, and to exhort the church." The revelation also tasked her with creating a hymnal for the church, making her one of the first women to receive a formal ecclesiastical calling in Mormon scripture.

The hymnal Emma compiled became the first official collection of sacred music for the Latter Day Saints, establishing musical traditions that would persist for generations. Her selection of hymns reflected both Protestant influences and emerging Mormon theological themes.

Leadership in Nauvoo

Relief Society Presidency

In 1842, Emma became the founding president of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, the women's auxiliary organization of the church. [5] Under her leadership, the Relief Society provided charitable assistance to the poor, supported the construction of the Nauvoo Temple, and gave women an organized voice within church governance.

Emma's presidency of the Relief Society represented a significant expansion of women's roles within Mormon religious life. She oversaw meetings where women discussed theology, organized community service, and addressed social issues affecting the growing Mormon community in Illinois.

Challenges and Controversies

Emma's later years in Nauvoo were marked by increasing tensions, particularly regarding the practice of plural marriage that Joseph had begun to implement among church leaders. Historical evidence suggests that Emma struggled with and often opposed polygamy, creating strain in her marriage and within church leadership circles.

The assassination of Joseph Smith on June 27, 1844, in Carthage Jail left Emma widowed with four children and thrust her into the center of a succession crisis that would permanently divide the Mormon movement.

Later Life and the RLDS Church

Following Joseph's death, Emma chose not to follow Brigham Young and the majority of Latter Day Saints to Utah. Instead, she remained in Nauvoo with her children and in 1847 married Lewis Crum Bidamon, a non-Mormon resident of the area. [1]

In 1860, Emma affiliated with the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which had formed around the leadership of her son, Joseph Smith III. The RLDS Church rejected polygamy and claimed to represent the true continuation of her husband's original church. Emma's endorsement of this organization and her son's leadership provided crucial legitimacy to the RLDS movement.

Emma spent her final decades in Nauvoo, where she had experienced both triumph and tragedy. She maintained the Mansion House as a hotel and became a respected community member, though she rarely spoke publicly about her experiences during the early Mormon period.

Death and Legacy

Emma Hale Smith Bidamon died in Nauvoo on April 30, 1879, and was buried next to Joseph Smith in the Smith family cemetery. [2] Her death marked the end of the last direct link to the founding generation of the Latter Day Saint movement.

Emma's legacy remains complex and contested among different Mormon denominations. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) honors her as a faithful pioneer while acknowledging the difficulties she faced. The Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) views her as a foundational figure who helped preserve the true spirit of early Mormonism. Her life story illustrates the challenges faced by women in religious movements and the ways personal conviction can shape institutional development.

Related Topics

• Joseph Smith Jr.
• Book of Mormon
• Relief Society
• Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
• Nauvoo, Illinois
• Doctrine and Covenants
• Mormon succession crisis
• Early Latter Day Saint movement

Summary

Emma Hale Smith Bidamon was the first wife of Mormon founder Joseph Smith Jr. and a significant religious leader who served as a Book of Mormon scribe, founded the Relief Society, and later supported the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints after her husband's death.