Image: Havenlight
This week we will be studying the D&C 23-26 Come Follow Me lesson. Within these sections we talk of Emma and her role in the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We will be visiting Harmony, Pennsylvania including Emma’s home, the Hale’s home, and Emma’s baptismal spot.
Here is what you have to look forward to this week:
To Strengthen, Encourage, and Instruct
An Elect Lady
How Much Can One Heart Take
A Last Blessing
Watch our YouTube video here.
Or, listen to our podcast here.
Each of the following five revelations, which were dictated soon after the organization of the Church of Christ on 6 April 1830, addressed one of Joseph Smith’s family members or a close associate who desired to know the Lord’s will concerning himself. All five texts include similar content and phrasing, and Joseph likely dictated them one after the other.
Excerpt from Joseph Smith Papers Background Section 23
During the two months after the Church of Christ was organized, Joseph Smith met with believers in three New York locations: the areas of Manchester, Fayette, and Colesville.
Several people were baptized and the first church conference was convened before Joseph returned home to his wife Emma in Harmony, Pennsylvania, around mid-June. About 26 June, Joseph, Emma, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and John Whitmer traveled to Colesville, where Emma and a number of others were baptized, even though several Colesville residents destroyed a previously constructed dam in the stream in an attempt to prevent the baptisms.
Before these believers could be confirmed, however, Joseph was twice arrested and charged, as his history recounted, with “being a disorderly person; of setting the country in an uproar by preaching the Book of Mormon.” He was released in both instances, but he needed the help of a constable to escape from his antagonists and make his way to the house of Emma’s sister, Elizabeth Hale Wasson, in Harpursville, where he and Emma were reunited.
Excerpt from Joseph Smith Papers Background Section 24
Joseph Smith dictated this revelation for Emma Hale Smith, his wife, in July 1830. As with the other two July 1830 revelations, the precise date of the revelation is unknown.
The earliest manuscript copy noted only the year, but its first printing in 1833 included the July 1830 date that has been carried forward in all subsequent editions. That the revelation discusses much of the same subject matter found in the other two July 1830 revelations strengthens this July 1830 identification.
The period from April to mid-July 1830 involved a flurry of activity that included the organization of the Church of Christ, meetings in three different locations, and many convert baptisms. Emma was one of those baptized on 28 June at Colesville, New York, but the confirmations were delayed because of opposition.
Excerpt from Joseph Smith Papers Background Section 25
From the time that Joseph Smith took possession of the gold plates in September 1827, his days were increasingly filled with work relating to the translation.
After the publication of the Book of Mormon in March 1830, he spent much of his time building up the church and ministering to its members. He traveled back and forth between Harmony, Pennsylvania, and the three branches of the church in New York, leaving him less time to work on his farm and care for his material needs.
Around mid-July 1830, a revelation addressed these matters, instructing him to “magnify thy office & after that thou hast sowed thy fields & secured them then go speedily unto the Church which is in Colesville, Fayette & Manchester & they shall support thee.”
Shortly thereafter, this revelation called Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and John Whitmer to study the scriptures, preach, confirm the Colesville believers, and work on Joseph’s farm until the next conference.
Excerpt from Joseph Smith Papers Background Section 26
“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 always done. … She has been tossed upon the ocean of uncertainty; … She has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils, … which have borne down almost any other woman.”
From the History of Lucy Mack Smith
First of all that I would crave as the richest of heaven’s blessings would be wisdom from my Heavenly Father bestowed daily, so that whatever I might do or say, I would not look back at the close of the day with regret, nor neglect the performance of any act that would bring a blessing. I desire the spirit of God to know and understand myself that I might be able to overcome whatever Tradition or nature that would not tend to my exaltation in the eternal worlds. I desire a fruitful, active mind, that I may be able to comprehend the designs of God, when revealed through His Servants without doubting. I desire the spirit of discernment, which is one of the blessings of the Holy Ghost.
I particularly wisdom to bring up all the children that are, or may be committed to my charge, in such a manner that they will be useful ornaments in the Kingdom of God, and in the coming day rise up and call me blessed.
I desire prudence that I may not through ambition abuse my body and cause it to be prematurely old and care-worn, but that I may wear a cheerful countenance, live to perform all the work I covenanted to perform in the spirit-world and be a blessing to all who may in any wise need aught at my hands.
I desire with all my heart to honor and respect my husband as my head, to ever live in his confidence and by acting in unison with him to retain the place which God has given me by his side. I desire to see my kindred and friend embrace the principles of Eternal Truth, that I may rejoice with them in the blessings which God has in store for all who are willing to be obedient to His requirements.
Finally, I desire that whatever may be my lot through life I may be enabled to acknowledge the hand of God in all things.”
Excerpt from The Joseph Smith and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society
Do you love this week’s D&C 23-26 Come Follow Me lesson as much as we do? The Doctrine & Covenants is just full of the voice of the Lord and revelations that were for Joseph Smith and the early Saints, but so much of it applies to us today. We just love that.
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an amazing lesson
My favorite Emma Song is Serenity Blue, https://youtu.be/q1MINJaDsyk written and performed by Kimberly Jo Smith, her GGGrandaughter, and her son Brian Davis, I also learned much more of Emma’s story from her book Rising Hills and Sinking Valleys; https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Hills-Sinking-Valleys-Descendant/dp/1937735419
As I sit here crying after watching this weeks video I ponder over how much I have learned. How many people in the history of the church have gotten a bad rap… even from members including me. Oliver, Martin, Emma. “Thou shalt not judge”. How base am I. How many people have I harshly judged. I am truly suffering from a broken heart and contrite spirit. My heart hearts. Thank you so much. I am forever grateful.
Thank you for blessing my life. I appreciate your thoughtful presentation of Emma and the Lord’s call given to her. She is even a greater example of divine womanhood to me now.
This was a beautiful lesson. I loved it all. The grass was so green at Emma and Joseph’s home. Your discussion was so inspiring and tender. The song brought me to tears. I have heard it sung by many but not with such emotion. (Happy tears). Thank you for making the scriptures so personal and real.
I can’t afford the poster set. What was the “word of the week”?
Thank you for sharing your hearts and minds each week. You have helped me understand the scriptures so much better (they are real).
Teresa
P.s.
I don’t seem to be getting any information on the March 15 class. When I try to sign up to “be the first to know” I get an error message saying I am already receiving Book of Mormon emails. I miss a lot of stories & information on Instagram. Is there any information? It starts in less than a week. I am supposed to be passing info to my siblings and I can’t really give any.
Hi, Teresa! Were you able to find out about the master class? Let us know if you still want some information about it! There’s a link for it on the homepage of our website.
I just love this blessing of Emma’s. So beautiful. Thank you all so much for making It so easy to dive deep into the scriptures by giving us all this background as well. I loved the field trip this week❤️
Thank you so much for including these quotes and sources here!
Thank you so much for these Come Follow Me lessons. I enjoy them every week!
I so loved the song. What a spirit that sweet Sister gave as she started to show how the spirit touched her heart. Thank you for sharing !!!
Can I happen to get the link or quote of the letter David read from Emma to Joseph in the YouTube video for D&C 25? (at the time stamp 18:59)
Thank you
Hi, Amber! You can find the paraphrase we used in this link to the Joseph Smith Papers: https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-from-emma-smith-7-march-1839/1
I listen (watch) your videos in the morning as I get ready….that SONG.
Beautiful, but not necessarily helpful when putting makeup on for the day.
Thank you for all of your hard work. It’s made me a different student of the gospel.
We’re glad the song touched you! Thanks for studying with us, Jennifer!
Scriptures everyday with sincere prayers I’m at total awe for how he listens and does help.
Love the D&C more this yr then ever.
Truly to me this is my positive to the COVID-19.
Thanks for your sweet spiritual love and being personable.
Love Sister Avena Lock Moses Lake Wa