(b. Jan. 26, 1714; d. Nov. 14, 1785), the grandfather of Joseph Smith Sr., was remembered as a man of integrity. His obituary read: “DIED–At Topsfield [Mass.] on Monday the 14th instant, Samuel Smith, Esq., aged 72. So amiable and worthy a character as he evidently appeared, both in publick and private, will render the […]
Emma Hale Smith Bidamon giving compassionate service is a theme which runs consistently throughout her life story. One such story illustrating this character is her tending of a gunshot wound resulting from a tragic mistake. The family of David White Rogers had become good friends with the Smiths after David was instrumental in helping scout […]
Lucy Mack Smith: “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 ever has done.”
Emma, my daughter-in-law, 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. Thy soul has been afflicted because of the wickedness of men in seeking the destruction of thy companion, and thy whole soul has been […]
Emma’s care for the untold numbers of ill and homeless Saints as well as her care for Joseph’s extended family—his parents, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews—is legend. Emma’s work in the Church naturally included attending to Joseph’s business in his absence and taking care of their children. Her compilation of hymns dated 1835 was […]
According to the statement of provenance accompanying this document, among those visited by Joseph Smith in Philadelphia during his trip to the nation’s capitol in the winter of 1839-40, was a Wilkinson family who at the time were not members of the Church but later joined. Nothing is known of this visit except that the […]
