Emma Smith: My Story

Matt & Allyson Smith (great people and good friends from our ward) invited us to join them on a date to go to dinner and view the movie, Emma Smith: My Story. We left for dinner at 5:30 which meant we actually left Max AWAKE with a babysitter. After dinner I came home and put him to bed, then left again to watch the movie. It worked rather well, and the Max, amazingly enough, had a great time without us there. We really thought the movie was well done, (minus a few character castings). I am so glad to see Emma portrayed in such a good light-as I believe she was...courageous, faithful, strong, wise, charming, beautiful. She is one of my heros.

The movie ended with the words of a blessing she wrote out herself. She had requested Joseph to give her a blessing before he left to Carthage. He told her to write out on paper what she desired, and it would be hers. I remember first reading and memorizing this blessing years ago. The words have inspired me often--(I've kept them in my planner).

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 could 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 may be able to comprehend the designs of God, when revealed through his servants without doubting. I desire a spirit of discernment, which is one of the promised blessings of the Holy Ghost.

I particularly desire 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 a coming day arise up and call me blessed.

I desire prudence that I may not through ambition, abuse my body and cause it to become prematurely old and care-worn, but that I may wear a cheerful countenance, live to perform all the work that 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, ever to live in his confidence and by acting in unison with him retain the place which God has given me by his side, and I ask my Heavenly Father that through humility, I may be enabled to overcome that curse which was pronounced upon the daughters of Eve. I desire to see 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.