Rising Hills and Sinking Valleys

by Kimberly Jo Smith

A compassionate and compelling look into the heart and mind of Emma Smith after the martyrdom of her husband, Joseph Smith, Jr.

What were the real reasons that kept Emma Smith from migrating West with the main body of the Saints after her husband was murdered? What became of her children and why was Joseph's posterity estranged from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for many generations?

Joseph and Emma's great-great-granddaughter, shares her journey into history that would reveal many intimate details about what happened to Emma and her children.

Genres: Religion

442 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Born in Maryville, Tennessee this mountain girl grew up traveling throughout the United States, expanding her already vivid imagination as she encountered vast terrains and varying cultures. A lover of history, poetry and children's literature, Kimberly has produced works covering a range of topics to suit all ages, although her favorite area of writing is historical fiction and romance.
Kimberly is currently writing a historical fiction/romance series called American Dream. The first volume, Shadows of the Ancient Wood was released in May of 2016. The series focus is on the McCarter family; twin brothers and their tight-knit kin from Scotland who, through the whim of fate, find themselves on unexpected paths that lead to the Revolutionary War.
Kimberly is also a photographer and a musician with her son, they have one CD available called The Journey. She currently lives in Chillicothe, MO

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autobiography. I find it painful to even read about the abuses endured by others. This author went through a lot of pain but the abuse is really only incidental to her story of conversion to the LDS church. She emerged from her terrors into respite and hope which is remarkable. The book has technical errors, is vague at times and wordy. She could have benefitted from a good editor. Still, the book is engaging and the 400 pages goes by swiftly because she does have a story to tell. It is enlightening to learn how generations of hate, lies, and distortions can be so destructive. For me, the book caused me to reflect on whatever truths I grew up with that just may not be so.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am fascinated with the stories of Joseph and Emma Smith's descendants, and the stories of Joseph's siblings. I've read a couple of books written by descendants who have joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having grown up in the Reorganized Church or, in this case, the Church of Christ (Temple Lot).

The author has an interesting story to tell, but needed a good editor. The first chapter in particular jumped all over; if I hadn't known the story of the martyrdom, I don't think I would have know what she was talking about.

I would recommend the book, but would also recommend doing a lot of skimming.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an answer to prayer for me. IT was truly amazing.

[Cauleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book. It was not at all what I expected. I was seeking to learn more about the history of Joseph Smith's wife and children after his martyrdom. This was a sweet and tender look at one of his descendants, 4 generations later and how she dealt with her life circumstances and coming to terms with what it meant to be a descendant of Joseph Smith. She bears sweet testimony of his calling from God, his work and life as God's chosen prophet and of his watchful care over her as she struggled to find her way.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

So here's a good quote: (not from Kimberly Jo Smith)
"Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith."
Henry Ward Beecher (brother of Harriet B. Stowe)

I listened on line to the author singing the Willow song that she references. It is a lovely song, she sings better than she writes. The Patriarch was correct in directing her towards music rather than writing.
Interesting but not overly engaging.

Sandy, what would you like me to do with this book now?

[JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for Latter-day Saints. This was a very important read for me. It's always saddened me that the LDS church has had to carry on without Joseph's legacy. As the author (Joseph and Emma's gg granddaughter) discovers her own heritage and as she heals from the divorce of the church and her family, so did I.

Every member should read this book. It would bring understanding and reconciliation between a world church and its founder's legacy.

Strongly recommend.

[Helene Hipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I expected.

I guess I really didn’t know what to expect, but I didn’t expect this book to be so real and personal. I really felt the struggles of the family and the author as they discovered truths that had been buried deep within family chests. I really loved this book and was hard pressed to put it down and get something else done. Thank you for your tenacity Kimberly and for your courage to take a leap of faith...well, actually a lot of leaps of faith.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

So interesting to hear the point of view from a descendant of Joseph and Emma Smith. Her journey is tough and inspirational.

[Margaret Kallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biography of Kimberly Jo Smith

Loved this book, it tells the story of a life well lived; triumph over tragedy, tenacious trust in the Lord, how KJS hears Him. Loved the book!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A powerful illustration of the effects of prejudice, lies and twisted half-truths. Only the horrible fall-out here is that so many of Joseph and Emma Smith's posterity are vehemently opposed to the religion of those "Utah Mormons". For example, when the author, Joseph Smith's great great granddaughter, saw the Salt Lake Temple, she was amazed to see the Great Salt Lake didn't butt up against the temple, but was miles away. Her family had taught her that once those Mormons conned you into their grasp, if you ever tried to leave the faith, you'd be taken to the spires of the Salt Lake Temple and tossed into the Great Salt Lake.

I loved reading how the Lord, over years and many experiences, gradually softened Kimberly Jo Smith's heart and opened her eyes to the truthfulness of the Gospel her great great grandfather restored. And being an Osmonds fan, I was deeply moved by the role Merrill Osmond played in her conversion. I loved realizing how Joseph had his eye on this grandchild, and was obviously inspiring and using her to fulfill a mission to touch the hearts of other members of his posterity.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A powerful illustration of the effects of prejudice, lies and twisted half-truths. Only the horrible fall-out here is that so many of Joseph and Emma Smith's posterity are vehemently opposed to the religion of those "Utah Mormons". For example, when the author, Joseph Smith's great great granddaughter, saw the Salt Lake Temple, she was amazed to see the Great Salt Lake didn't butt up against the temple, but was miles away. Her family had taught her that once those Mormons conned you into their grasp, if you ever tried to leave the faith, you'd be taken to the spires of the Salt Lake Temple and tossed into the Great Salt Lake.

I loved reading how the Lord, over years and many experiences, gradually softened Kimberly Jo Smith's heart and opened her eyes to the truthfulness of the Gospel her great great grandfather restored. And being an Osmonds fan, I was deeply moved by the role Merrill Osmond played in her conversion. I loved realizing how Joseph had his eye on this grandchild, and was obviously inspiring and using her to fulfill a mission to touch the hearts of other members of his posterity.

[Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book adds depth, perspective, and detail to Mormon history but is primarily Kimberly Jo Smith's life story. I have heard her and her son Bryan present their very popular fireside twice and have wanted to know more about them; hence -- my read of her book which includes a lot of prose describing her emotions and some minor neglected errors. If the theme of her marriage had been an improving relationship rather than a collapsing relationship with her ex-husband, Mr. Davis, it would have greatly improved her spiritual contribution. I do appreciate and admire her simple, humble faith, taught to her by her non-LDS mother, and she does indeed seek for and receive spiritual guidance without which she may never have been led to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Others of her family have followed her courageous and exemplary conversion. In addition the story of her significant involvement and contribution to the growing unity between various factions of the descendants from around the world of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack is quite interesting.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting something a little different going into this book. My mom recommended it to me, and she said it was a story about why Joseph Smith's descendants were mostly estranged from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. While it did talk about that a little bit, it was mostly about how the author ended up joining the church. It was good, but not amazing and there were places where it was a little wordy. There were also anecdotal tales that she told in the book that didn't really add anything to the overall story at all.

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Kimberly's conversion story. Seeing Joseph and Emma's picture at the age of 12 and wondering who they were, of learning of her heritage and what it all really meant. All she has gone through and all she does now to share her talents and her love of the Savior and of her grandfather Joseph. A truly remarkable story of overcoming obstacles and strengthening love in a family.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kimberly Jo Smith, a descendant of Joseph and Emma Smith, tells the story of her family and explains how she worked through the bad feelings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that had been passed down to her from generation to generation.

[Sandie Mixa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The authors journey to find her roots, her triumph through personal trials, and an inside glimpse into Joseph and Emma Smiths lives kept me turning pages late into the night.

[Julie Johanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimberly writes from the heart. Clear and informative. Learned tons. Thought deeply. Reevaluated my thinking. Cried many times did much healing of my own past. Very great full to her.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving and emotional account of the life and conversion of one of the descendants of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

[Christi-Ann Pierantoni · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read, but typos abound

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, obviously anything involving the Prophet Joseph Smith is going to catch my interest. This book, written by Joseph Smith's great great granddaughter, surely does that. Ms. Smith weaves a tale of Joseph, Emma, and their descendants, especially those offshoots of the mainstream Latter-day Saint movement. I wish Ms. Smith would have gone into greater detail about the beliefs and doctrines of these offshoot churches, as that would have made understanding these churches wariness of the Salt Lake City institution easier.

But, here comes my big bugaboo with self-published books. Authors, please, for the love of all things holy, hire a proofreader. Fiverr is full of them, willing to work with and for you at a reasonable cost. I get wrapped up in the story, then I have to take myself out of it to sort out what is meant by a misspelled word, improperly placed punctuation mark, or some questionable sentence structure. It really ruins the flow of what was a very otherwise entertaining book.