9/1/18 - Family Letter to Emma
Hi Emma ,
how is it in Brazil!
school is great here !!! I started Copa this week and were having an open house the first week of Nov. that I am singing at .
we love you and hope you have a happy week !!!
Mari
M,
First of all, Emma Smith
The members in the USA just
recently got over concerns with Emma Smith. It makes sense that the
member in Brazil are a bit behind the curve on understanding and
forgiving. Think of all that Emma did and the sacrifices she made. She
left a family of wealth for a husband who was not. She was poor most
of her life. When Joseph received a command to move to she went. When
the prophet was away she fielded most of the problems and complaints
from the members. When the Joseph was in Liberty Jail Emma would visit
and attempt to relay instructions to the Quorum of the Twelve. They did
not listen too well. It was known that Emma and Brigham did not like
each other. This added to the frustration. When Emma finally had a
home in Nauvoo she was required to share it with incoming members. She
and Joseph often slept on the floor by the fire while others slept in
their beds. She was the first to help Joseph transalte the Book of
Mormon. She was the first President of the Relief Society. She
organized the first hymn book. The only times I remember hearing her
complain was in the School of the Prophets and after the revelation on
polygamy. She had to clean the School of the Prophets and wonder to
Joseph how men of God could feel the Spirit while smoking and spitting
tobacco all over the floor. Joseph considered this and soon received
the Word of Wisdom. Polygamy, who would complain about polygamy. She
heard words from a revelation of "Thou art an elect lady". After Joseph
was martyred I would think that she was spent. She had given from the
beginning and sacrificed more than likely anybody. She was by Joseph
side, his confidant, his closest supporter. Joseph was planning to take
the Saints West and that is what Brigham did with the church. There
were many who came forward to contend for the leadership of the church.
Joseph's mother, Lucy Mack, was too old to make the trip. Emma chose
to stay with her and take care of her. The church went with the Saint
to Utah. There were a few fringes of the church that did not last.
Many years later Emma's first son claimed to receive a revelation and
reorganized the church in Illinois. Emma, of course, joined but was
not rebaptized into this new church. Notes about her passing - Emma
Hale Smith died on the 30th anniversary of the death of their
twins April 30, 1879 at age 74. Her Last words were, “Joseph! Joseph!
Joseph!” According to Joseph Smith III, she also said, “Joseph, I am
Coming!” In a dream a few nights before she died she had a dream and
that “she saw a personage of right standing beside Joseph, even the Lord
Jesus Christ.” When I think of Emma I feel a deep reverence. I look
forward to meeting her. After Joseph died I think she could have done
whatever she wanted and been OK with our Father in Heaven. We named
you Emma with a full understanding of who Emma is. We stand firm that
she is an Elect Lady. She is worthy of our praise and affection.
Eventually the members of Brazil will come to an understanding of who
Emma is and what she meant to the early church. If needed we and try to
print and mail these to you.
As far as your work, just keep trying. This is part of the
refiner's fire. Please don't get down on yourself because you are not
having the success who were assuming you would have. You will figure it
out. Do not be discouraged by the other missionaries talking about
easy baptisms. I had an elder in Canada who had a goal of baptizing 100
people before he went home. He reached his goal but he had a rep of
not baptizing people who would stick with the church. You will figure
things out just keep working. I was in an area for 11 months. I
knocked on every door in that area at least once. I was surprised when
we knocked on a door I had already knocked on and the people were
receptive. Just keep working. I have been praying you will receive
good counsel from your DL and President. I'm not worried about your
President but I am about your DL. I'm not sure how I feel about fasting
multiple times a week. Maybe I will be surprised to hear you did it
and it worked.
This week has been uneventful. The usual tired and work. I think
I'm still adjusting to getting up early for scriptures. Violin and
cello lessons are in full swing. Mom's Orchestra will start next week.
We are starting to plan for Trek. Mom and I will be in charge of the
training. We created a new role of the Trek Trainers. We might call
them Storyteller's. This is a couple who will teach the youth the
stories we will use on the Trek. There is some confusion as to what
these people will do before and after Trek. Your mom and I know what
they will do but it has been a challenge to communicate that to the rest
of the youth auxiliaries.
My sports calling is officially over. We had our debriefing and
they will have someone in place by basketball season. I'm neck deep in
my Elder's Quorum calling. I feel like I send texts and make calls
almost every night. Once I'm done it will be time to do it again for
the quarter. I still have my primary calling. I think they will let me
keep it until the end of the year. My list of callings on LDS Tools
looks a little ridiculous. It shows I'm on the Stake Sports Committee,
The Stake YM Sports Director, the Ministering Secretary for the Elder's
Quorum, and a Primary Teacher. Your Mom got a kick as to how long the
list is.
Keep plugging away kid. Please do not get discouraged. your Mom
spoke with Grandma Mildred about your frustrations and she wanted to
send you an experience she has had. Please let us know if you do not
receive it and we will send you what she shared with us.
Love,
Dad
D&C 25
D&C 132: 51-57
Sweet Emma,
I agree with everything Dad said about Emma Smith. Whenever I
think about her, I get a bit teary because of love I feel for that
great, courageous woman. She has become a friend through all that I
learn about her. I feel like I know her and I hope that we will be
friends in the next life. I know 5th great Grandmother Mary Ann Hoopes
Yearsley was good friends with Emma Smith too (in Nauvoo they were both
store owners, had children about the same ages, both members of the
Relief Society, and both supportive of very busy, dedicated husbands).
Joseph and Emma's great great granddaughter Gracia N. Jones wrote a book called Emma and Joseph, Their Divine Mission.
She shares insights into Joseph and Emma's life and some letters that
show of their love for each other. She wrote: "There is no doubt that
Emma put her whole soul into the effort of helping to lay the foundation
of the kingdom of God. Her faith in the truthfulness of Joseph's
mission caused Emma to turn her back on parents, social position,
security and all things a girl holds dear, to share a beggar's life with
her prophet husband, whose entire energy was directed toward fulfilling
God's commandment to take the message of the Restoration to the whole
world..."
Of Emma, Joseph said, "She that was my wife, even the wife of my
youth, and the choice of my heart...Again she is here, even in the
seventh trouble--undaunted, firm, and unwavering--unchangeable,
affectionate Emma!"
When people misjudge Emma, I'm sure it is just because they don't
understand her. When we named you after her, I knew very little about
her other than she was an "Elect Lady". Even with all the controversy
surrounding her after the death of her husband I still KNEW that she was
special and someone we wanted you to emulate. A few years after you
were born, and Dad and I did the "Through Emma's Eyes" presentation, I
was able to learn more about her....and love her all the more for who
she was. I was blessed to have that respect for her deepen when I read
stories about Mary Ann Hoopes Yearsley and learned that they were good
friends. Mary Ann Hoopes even named her baby girl that was born in
Nauvoo (our 4th great grandmother) Emma Smith Yearsley after her dear
friend, Emma Smith.
I hope that when people speak unkind things about Emma Smith, you
can remember what you felt when we visited Palmyra and Harmony,
Pennsylvania and went through Emma Smith's childhood home. I hope you
will learn about her and be able to defend her. She is truly an "Elect
Lady".
News from home: Uncle Mark bought a Tesla. Sami slept over last
night. When Mark came to get her he drove his Tesla. Mari made a big
deal about it and Mark offered to take her for a ride. Soon, the whole
family went for a ride in Mark's Tesla. Mark even let Dad drive. Dad's
not a car guy, but when they got back, he couldn't stop smiling. His
eyes were huge and he was like, "WOWWWWW!" Maybe Dad should get a Tesla
now that we have our Baby Grand Benson.
After Hyrum's football game today, we are heading up to the cabin.
We will be there through Labor Day. The Chandlers are coming up on
Sunday night. Monday, we will all go to Jordanelle to play. We will
rent some stand up paddleboards and maybe Kayaks. I think the Chandler
boys will sleep in hammocks outside. It should be fun. We will do it
again with you later.
I'm so proud of you! I was thinking about the dream you had about a
future temple in Sorocaba. In my mind I could see the temple,
surrounded by beautiful plants and trees and GRASS. The grass, each
blade grown from a single seed, reminded me of all the seeds you are
planting. Every time you talk to someone, whether they listen or not,
you are planting a seed. One day that seed will sprout in each person
and they will become what they are meant to be. I feel that you were
given that dream to help you know that Heavenly Father is mindful of you
and all the effort you are giving to His work. You may never see these
beautiful seeds as they grow, but they are valuable and necessary.
Someone has to plant the seed before it can be grow. I couldn't be more
proud of you! You are fearless. You are EXACTLY what Sao Paulo needs
right now! Keep planting seeds. That is HIS work!
Your package: I forwarded some emails sent by the Brazilian Postal
Service. It looks like you need to register or something. Jen
Butterfield helped me translate the info. I didn't want to change any
login info that you might have set up, so I just forwarded the messages
to you. If you need me to do anything to help you, I would be more than
happy to do that. I am assembling things for another package (with all
the hints about sending/reporting stuff) so if you need anything,
please let me know. I also put more money in your account if you need
to buy anything.
Sending a huge HUG!!!! I love you my Sweet Emma!
💜Mom
p.s. Harrison Sligting got home a few days ago! I haven't seen him yet, but Andrea can't stop smiling! All is well!
p.p.s Thank you for sending Hyrum a birthday letter and
stickers. You are so thoughtful. We ate a piece of chocolate cake for
you!
Hey Emma!
Thanks for the card! It was a pretty good b-day!
Hailey started talking to me again,
but Taylor was the only girl to remember my birthday.
Mason, David, and Greg sang me happy birthday as
loud as they could all the way home from school.
We got marvel Infinite war, so you can watch that when you get back!
love you forever,
Hyrum
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