Heroic figure
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In latter-day scripture, the Lord called her "an elect lady" and gave her the charge, under the direction of her husband, the Prophet Joseph Smith, to "expound the scriptures and exhort the church" under the influence of the Spirit (see Doctrine and Covenants 25:6).
Yet, for many members of the Church, information about Emma Smith is to some degree shrouded in mystery. Because she chose not to go west with the body of the saints, knowledge about her after the martyrdom is sparse among the rank and file of the Church. She may be among the most misunderstood figures in Church history. Some view her in a less-than-flattering light.
Yet the Prophet's own mother saw her as a heroic figure. Of Emma, Lucy Mack Smith wrote in her history of the Prophet: "I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal and patience, which she has ever done; for I know that which she has had to endure.... She has breasted the storms of persecution and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would have borne down almost any other woman."
Now, a new motion picture endeavors to tell Emma's story from her own point of view. "Emma Smith: My Story" premiered April 9 at a theater in Sandy, Utah. Many direct descendants of Joseph and Emma who are members of the Church attended the premiere, which was sponsored by The Joseph Smith Jr. and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society.
The new film will seem familiar in some respects to Church members who have watched "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration," the current Church-produced offering at the Legacy Theater in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Some principal cast members are the same, including Katherine Nelson in the starring role as Emma and Nathan Mitchell playing the part of the Prophet Joseph. Some footage shot for the Joseph Smith movie is used in this work. Ron Munns, who produced the Joseph movie for the Church, is also the producer of the movie about Emma.
"Emma Smith: My Story" will seem in every sense a sequel to the movie about the Prophet, except for the fact that it does not bear the Church's imprimatur. It is a commercial venture, with all proceeds going to benefit the historical society.
The film plays out with an elderly Emma (played by Patricia Place) reminiscing about her trial-filled life in conversation with her grown adopted daughter, Julia Murdock Smith. (Julia's twin brother was the infant boy the Prophet was holding the night he was tarred and feathered by a mob in Ohio and who died from the effects of exposure when the mob left the cabin door open after abducting Joseph.)
Events covered include her courtship and marriage to Joseph in the face of rancorous opposition from her own beloved parents, her disappointment at not being allowed to be one of the witnesses who saw the gold plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated, her support to her husband while he was confined in Liberty Jail and the bitter persecution she endured in being driven with the saints from Independence, Mo., and later from the state under threat of extermination by order of the governor.
The movie is being shown in several theaters in Utah. The film's Web site, www.EmmaSmithMovie.com, indicates there will be updates and special screenings throughout the United States.
E-mail to: rscott@desnews.com
