On Monday, my husband and I had the opportunity to go see that movie about Emma Smith ("My Story" or something like that) at a local theater. It was wonderful. What I loved most about the movie was that it depicted Emma as a woman of incredible faith and strength, but also showed how very human she was. I'm sure she spent more than half the movie crying because of the weight of her burdens and trials, but she faithfully followed Joseph and the instructions of the Lord. One scene in the movie showed her holding another sick child telling Joseph the Lord would not take another one of her children, which He did. This scene resonated with me because I have felt the same frustration with some of the trials the Lord has given me. The way in which the movie showed the pain and anger(?) she felt, but how she continued to do what was asked of her in building Zion was truly inspiring. 

I think what makes her story poignant is that her life was not easy; obeying was not with out negative consequences, but yet she still did everything. I think that it could have been easier for Joseph to suffer through the persecutions and abuse that he did; he had seen the visions, felt the hands of angels, and read the Gold plates. Emma suffered through many of the same things without seeing these things, which makes her faith seem so great. Even though she endured many things, she did not question or quit because of her trials like so many of us do.

She buried so many children, her parents disowned her, and she endured the persecutions of the fledgling church. At one point in the movie, Joseph and Emma are laying in bed and she asks Joseph "Has the Lord forsaken us?" to which he responds that they need to do their best and press on. She simply accepts his answer and does such. I pray that I can have such faith, strength, love, and courage to follow the inspirations of the Lord and principles of the gospel without considering the worldly consequences. My husband and I have had similar exchanges; I pray that I will have the wisdom to accept his wise counsel (he gave a similar answer), not fight it.

Emma's understanding of eternity made her a truly wise woman. She knew "there is no end to love" and it helped her transcend the world and press forward with faith. I know the Lord hand picked her to be the "elect lady" she was and that her actions, faith, love, and strength truly helped mold the early church and lay the foundation for the salvation of many souls.

I decided that I want to be like Emma Smith.

Tags: Faith Trials Emma Smith