Emma and Lucy

by Gracia N. Jones

Lucy Mack Smith has come to stand as a beloved role model in Church history. Not quite as well-known is Emma Hale Smith’s legacy. Yet, in the midst of her suffering and persecution, her testimony of her husband’s mission and of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon remains. But this is not a book about these women individually. For Emma and Lucy had a close, intertwined relationship. More mother than mother-in-law, more daughter than daughter-in-law, they were also women in Israel. Bound together by the gospel, their mutual admiration and friendship, and their love for and devotion to Joseph, these women became inseparable later in life as Emma lovingly cared for the aged Lucy. Carefully researched by the great-great-granddaughter of Emma and Joseph, this remarkable book offers a deep, thoughtful, and tender look at these two most important women of the early Church. A fascinating and worthy read for every person interested in Church history.

Genres: Religion, History, Lds, Nonfiction, Historical, Lds Non Fiction, Church

243 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Gracia N. Jones has degrees in family science, history and biblical studies from George Wythe College in Cedar City, Utah. She enjoys traveling, as well as genealogical and historical research. She and her husband, C. Ivor Jones, live in Southern Utah. They have eight children and thirty-three grandchildren.

Reviews

[Stacey Starley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought two copies of this book for Mother's Day, one for Colleen and one for myself. The plan is to read it together. This is an in-law relationship between two incredible women. I hoped to find inspiration to continually strengthen my relationship with my sweet mother-in-law. Already I have spent time quietly pondering simple statements from this powerful book and I am only 12 pages in. One phrase that has stuck in my head thus far is, what does it mean to be a Mother in Zion. I will keep you posted from here.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book to read to get a close and personal look at Emma and Lucy, particularly during this year of studying the Doctrine and Covenants. It helped me these women understand better, including their reasons for not moving west with the rest of the saints, and how well they took care of each other.

[Patricia Geller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was ok to listen to but wouldn't seek it out.

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. Overall I enjoyed the history of Lucy and Emma as found in this book. There was MUCH about these two women that I didn't know, and I still have much I would like to learn. I thought it would be more of a discussion about the bond between Emma and Lucy (which was touched on some), but mainly it was a history of the separate lives of these two women. The author did include much in the way of her own speculations and interpretations, but she did a great amount of research as well. I learned a lot!

As far as the writing goes, I had a hard time with the organization of the book, especially during the first half. It seemed to jump around a lot and certain things I really hoped the author would discuss were mentioned only in passing. But the second half of the book was so touching and heart-wrenching, especially learning of Lucy's song "Moroni's Lamentation" (that I had hitherto never heard of) and reading the author's "Soliloquy of Emma crossing the ice". Chilling.

I confess, I have sometimes struggled with understanding Emma's choices after the martyrdom of her husband Joseph. I haven't found complete understanding yet, but this book did provide a huge step forward. I have a new appreciation for the trials that she and Lucy faced and the thoughts and feelings they must have experienced throughout their many difficult circumstances. I admire Emma and Lucy for the strong, faith-filled, resilient women they were, who passed though unimaginable trial, pain, grief, and persecution with grace and patience. This was a very insightful read and I'm glad I pushed through the beginning chapters.

Word of warning: the author's favorite phrase was "mothers in Israel" but I felt its power and message was lost in overuse...

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a long while this book was just so-so for me. Four reasons: 1.) The audio narrator is awful! I've had him before on a book and it was painful to hear. He puts inflections where I didn't expect them, and then is as dull as anything at other parts. Not to mention he is male reading a nonfiction written by a female, which is awful. The parts that should be sentimental and sweet just sound odd coming out in a male's voice. It was very jarring when the personal reflections of the author were read, and it wasn't a woman. 2.) Much of the book seemed a recap of various Church history events. It's a good recap, but boring for someone very familiar with Church history. 3.) I had hoped there would be a bit more about Emma and Lucy themselves. While I did learn a few things I hadn't known before, it wasn't as much about them as I had hoped. 4.) Occasionally the book seemed to take on a preachy feel. Maybe it felt more like that because of the male reader. I don't know. And there was one assumption about Lucy and her husband's weaknesses that REALLY irked me.

I'd say the redeeming part of the book was the last CD. I liked what the author had to say at the end, and I liked hearing a bit of her history all at once instead of in snippets as it was during the rest of the book. It would have been 2 stars, but the last CD moved it up to 3.

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have great admiration for Emma and Lucy, and after reading this book I have a hunger to know more. These women suffered unprecedented persecution. Emma's suffering was excruciating, but her testimony of her husband's mission and the Book of Mormon, mined from the depths of despair, remains. We need to learn more of these women and tell our daughters about their amazing testimony.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It gave a much greater understanding of Lucy and Emma's lives. It's written by Emma's great-great granddaughter and she has done an enormous amount of research to put this book together. I have always loved these 2 women, and now I have a much deeper love and appreciation for them. I think I'd like to read it again.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have read biographies on Emma and Joseph Smith but still learned some historical facts about the early days of the Mormon Church. Gained a better appreciation of Lucy Mack Smith. Also learned more about Father Smith and his role in the restoration of the Gospel. They certainly sacrificed for the Gospel.

[Cheri Battrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet book written by a descendant of Joseph Smith Jr. and his wife, Emma, shares about the sisterhood between Emma and her mother-in-law, Lucy Mack Smith. Not all mother-in-law relationships are fraught with difficulty. These two women mutually supported one another through the hard times the early Saints faced.

[Grandma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. It had some of the same stories that are in Lucy Mack Smith's book about the Prophet. I was disappointed because I expected it would tell more of Emma and Lucy's relationship together which it did some. But it mostly told about them separately.

[Ginny Lund · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is interesting to read about the wife and mother of the prophet Joseph Smith. It has some new insights into the "feminine" side of the Gospel. It reads like a manual. Not as much fun as a story.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really liked this book because it made me realize just how much not only Emma did and sacrificed but also Lucy. also kind of gives an explanation as to why emma stayed behind while the rest of the saints went west. read it in one day! :)

[Krystine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it was going to be a lot better than it was. It has some good parts but for the most part it wasn't anything that I haven't heard. I didn't really like her writing style. It was pretty good, nothing special.

[Jenalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give it a B+. The author is the great great granddaughter of Joseph and Emma Smith. Her quest is to understand them better and represent them more accurately and in a non-judgmental way. She did a very good job.

[Bonnie · Rating 1 out of 5]

So I couldn't make it through this book. A WHOLE LOT of history, which was interesting. But most of the book was about the authors opinion on things that happened. Not my favorite!

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful information about these great women and and their unique relationship, as well as their remarkable families, but the read itself can be tedious in places.

[Jeneale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Joseph and Emma, this book will give a good glossing over of the basic facts in the Smith family. I loved learning a little more about Lucy Mack Smith.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these women and this book.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has alot of good background information about each family. So far I am enjoying it.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So inspirational. It made me look terrible as a person! There is so much I need to work on. I would recommend this to any LDS person or for anyone who wants to learn about the LDS Church.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good history of two women how sufferd much and developed a deep daughter and mother-in-law relationship.

[Elise A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent supplemental reading for any one wanting well-researched, clear, thoughtful,and interesting facts and stories of Lucy Mack Smith and her daughter-in-law Emma Hale Smith.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was hard to read. It was more like a history book than a historical-fiction.

[Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good perspective written by a great, great granddaughter.