The Quest for Joseph Smith's Descendants

[Indy Coug]

http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695215934,00.html

[MikeWaters]

The cultural hatred of Emma has settled down to the point that I think most young Mormons have nothing but respect for Emma.

[YOhio]

Interesting story Indy. Thanks for posting.

Does anybody know if Brother Joseph had children with any of his other wives?

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

The cultural hatred of Emma has settled down to the point that I think most young Mormons have nothing but respect for Emma.

Weird. I've never heard or read anything about Emma that wasn't respectful of who she was and what she went through. The same goes with her "leaving" the church after Joseph's death.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

Weird. I've never heard or read anything about Emma that wasn't respectful of who she was and what she went through. The same goes with her "leaving" the church after Joseph's death.

I've never heard anything in church meetings or the like, but have come to understand that her memory used to be public enemy #1 in the church.

[JohnnyLingo]

Bwahahaha Mike deleted a post of mine.

What a mullah.

[BYU71]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

Weird. I've never heard or read anything about Emma that wasn't respectful of who she was and what she went through. The same goes with her "leaving" the church after Joseph's death.

Same here and I have heard a lot of things through the decades. I really don't know how many were true and how much was PR, but I always heard things like she really supported Joseph and stayed behind because the Prophets death was just too hard on her. Which I and I think most others could sympathize with.

In recent times when it seems more accurate church history has been put out there, I have heard some less than flattering things, but that has never come from the church.

[MikeWaters]

Interesting BYU71, so for you the trend is the opposite? This goes against what I have read. Of a reconciliation of sorts between the church and Emma.

[Goatnapper'96]

Originally Posted by BYU71

Same here and I have heard a lot of things through the decades. I really don't know how many were true and how much was PR, but I always heard things like she really supported Joseph and stayed behind because the Prophets death was just too hard on her. Which I and I think most others could sympathize with.

In recent times when it seems more accurate church history has been put out there, I have heard some less than flattering things, but that has never come from the church.

Brother Brigham was not particularly fond of her. In his own words "she was the damndest liar I ever knew." Two of her sons, Joseph III and David Hyrum, came to visit SLC to reclaim the fallen Brighamites shortly after the RLDS became a viable entity. Brigham hooked them up with Joseph F. Smith and the poor kids were not well versed in either the history of their father or the doctrine he restored. Perhaps not very charitable of Brigham, and he did not afford them the same respects he afforded other religious ministers, but the two genuinely got their asses beat in a couple of debates. Brigham was not too nice to them and made it clear that they were a threat to his leadership and not real welcome. David Hyrum was so shooken up he returned to research the claims of Joseph's polygamy. Shortly thereafter he had a mental breakdown.

[SoonerCoug]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

The cultural hatred of Emma has settled down to the point that I think most young Mormons have nothing but respect for Emma.

Instead of hating Emma, the Church is now using her to create an illusion. (I think it could be an effort--perhaps even a subconscious effort--to minimize polygamy.) When the Church starts making movies about all the other wives and explains the logistics of sleeping with 33 different women, then I'll be satisfied.