Emma: Dramatic Biography of Emma Smith

by Keith Terry

Book by Terry, Keith C

Genres: Biography, Lds, Church, Religion, History

160 pages, Unbound

First published December 1, 1986

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am very conflicted about this book. I feel like the authors were inclined to put a negative spin on Emma's every action and on her feisty personality. She made some bad choices, as have we all, but she also supported Joseph and the Church through some very trying years (to say the least). I don't think any of us should be judging what she did or did not do. Some of her choices may seem black and white to us in hindsight, but I'm sure she was severely traumatized by the horrible things she and her family went through (for US to have the gospel NOW). I'm not her apologist, but I think we should cut her some slack and give her credit for her strength and spunk when it was desperately needed.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was interesting. I wish that Emma had left behind some journals so that we could see and her side of the story. I would not want to be in her shoes and have to have gone through all of the hard trials that she went through. Wish this wasn't such a one-sided story.

[Barbara Robarts]

I misplaced this book in the office move. So, it should be marked Partially Read.

The most important thing about Emma to me is that Joseph loved her dearly.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really had mixed emotions reading this book. I usually really like books about the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There have not been many books written about Emma Smith. I found this book and was excited to read it. Subtitle: Dramatic Biography of Emma Smith. It was dramatic, (maybe a little too dramatic for me). I found the book to be harsh and a little condemning of Emma. I am sure Emma Smith had faults, just as her husband Joseph did, he was just a man and Emma was just a woman. But, in other history books, the focus is not on Joseph's faults, as I thought this book was towards Emma. In discussing this book with a friend, she pointed out that this book was written in 1979, almost 30 years ago. There were bitter feelings when Emma did not move west the the body of the saints, and it was common knowledge that Brigham Young and Emma Smith did not agree on many things after Joseph's death. In reading other things, some of Emma's poseterity did not openly acknowledge relation to Joseph Smith, for fear of persecution. (by example of a grandchild being told Joseph Smith was their grandfather only after they were a young adult) Because of this, attitude towards Emma and her family, and what they too may have felt from the saints in Utah (abandonment), I think assumptions have been made over the many years (100's) about what Emma really felt and thought. It is too bad Emma did not keep a journal. (Motivation enough for me to write my feelings and thoughts down, I do not want other people to assume what I thought or felt.) I think this book made way too many assumptions. I feel bad that some people choose to focus on Emma's faults instead of remembering all the good things that she did.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to what the authors stated in the beginning of the book, I wish there was a journal of Emma’s or more about her.

She had weaknesses and strengths. At times both Joseph Smith and Emma Smith were, and are, put on pedestals but, they were human and made mistakes, as well as, accomplished amazing things, acts of kindness included. Some liberty was taken into rumors or what Emma might have been thinking. So, I didn’t read too much into those, since we don’t know why she did what she did or if some of the things are true.

With that said, Emma went through so much! Overall, I learned things about Emma’s life and took away ways I could serve like she did, as well as, learn from her errors.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across this book helping my mom clean out her bookshelves, and remembered reading it during my teen years. I don't recall much about Terry's manuscript particularly, but I know this biography helped me shape my long-standing empathy for Emma Smith and the difficulties that came with being Joseph's wife.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book, it gives an insight into the life of Emma Smith the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith's wife. Even if it is an opinion driven book, the authors have many points to ponder. A thought provoking biography of her life and also partial history of Joseph and the LDS church

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect from reading this book. I guess it was just the typical stuff about Joseph and Emma. However, I learned some surprising facts about Emma that I didn't know before. I don't know if I really knew before that Emma became so bitter towards the church and sent her sons to the Rocky Mountains to preach against it. She was very bold and headstrong. I don't think we will ever fully understand what she went through as the prophet's wife and I look forward to meeting her one day.

[Robb Menlove · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised that it was as honest as it was. I feared it to be a "Pollyanna, Touchy Feely" book but it addressed some of the harder things Emma no doubt faced. Dramatic histroy is still difficult for me.

[Marita · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a while since I read this but I do remember gaining a deeper understanding of the era and trials she had to live through. I still marvel at it all.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so grateful to learn so much from this book! You will grow to truly love and appriciate Emma from this book.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, if somewhat unscholarly, read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned so much about Emma Smith that I had no idea. After reading this book she became a real person to me. Very good book!

[Rhonda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of my favourites as it was very disturbing to think Emma Smith was so 'fickle' in many ways....

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read this book but I do remember learning a lot about Emma, the good and the not so good.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad to read about her life. She had more strenght than I ever thought. Not LDS endorsed but read only for more facts.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was really great to learn more about Emma, but this book was written with judgement already passed. Much too negative of a bias for my taste.