I have been doing a lot of reading in the D&C and I have to say that what the Saints went through is amazing but I think of the wifes of these great men like Joseph Smith. Emma Smith was an amazing, strong, and devoted wife. I just had a baby girl, she is 5 weeks now, and I think of the the numerous children that Emma lost and the numbers of times she had to go through that pain and suffering. I have so much respect for her, she has a special place in my heart now that I am a mother and I think of how devasted I would have been had I carried Isabelle and lost her in the end. It is almost to much for me to think about, and Emma stayed strong through so much, I don't agree with her leaving the church in the end but she lost so many babies and went through so much persecution and then lost her husband, not to mention she thought that her son should have been the next prophet of the church, and instead it was Brigham Young whom she really didn't like, that would have been a lot to handle all at once, I may have broken away in the end as well. She was so amazing, if I can handle half of what she handled and do it as well I will feel good about myself. What A Woman. And the devotion, she never questioned Joseph Smith, even when he introduced poligamy she stuck by him. In D&C there is a short section 3 or 4 I am not sure but the Lord tells Emma to be strong and to support her husband. It tells her to help him translate and not to be jealous that she didn't get to see the plates that she needs to do this and support him, that she will be strengthened by it and it will help her get through the hard times. She was devoted to him and watched as so many others got to see the plates and she wasn't allowed to. She saw her husband almost killed for them and through it she stood by and she supported him. She is a better woman than me I would have wanted to be rewarded for my patience and for my suffering and to know that others got to see it but that as a wife that had stayed so true I wasn't one of the ones allowed to see the Golden Plates that were causing so much pain and suffering in my life, I would be angry. But she did as she was told and asked and she compiled the book of hymns and helped in organizing and leading the relief society. She went with Joseph where ever he was promted to go when ever he it was that he was and she did it willingly. She rarely, I can't say never questions her husband when he takes her into towns and has no idea where they will stay or how they will get there next meal and she was often pregnant, I don't think I could do it, I question my husband now and he always has more answers for me than the Lord will provide. He can tell me an address to a house on post and can tell me when the next check is coming. I deal with so much less than Emma did and still I complain about what I have to go through. I am so blessed and I need to see those blessings and thank Heavenly Father for them. It was one of the topics in conference being more grateful for what we already have. I need to do that more. But studying the Saints and especially Emma Smith it makes me realize my blessings. I am so thankful for that.

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