Emma Smith, American religious leader (b. 1804)

Emma Hale Smith Bidamon, born on July 10, 1804, in Harmony, Pennsylvania, and passing on April 30, 1879, was a pivotal and resilient figure in the formative years of the Latter Day Saint movement. Beyond her widely known status as the wife of Joseph Smith, the movement's founder, she carved out her own legacy as a leader whose influence spanned both his lifetime and the tumultuous period of reorganization that followed. Her life was characterized by profound dedication, immense personal sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to her faith and family amidst persecution and profound communal shifts.

During Joseph Smith's lifetime, Emma played an indispensable role, providing steadfast support through numerous relocations and periods of intense trial. She was often referred to as an "elect lady" by her husband, a title that underscored her spiritual strength and leadership potential within the burgeoning faith. She endured the hardships of early Latter Day Saint settlements in Kirtland, Ohio, and Missouri, ultimately settling in Nauvoo, Illinois, a city that became a vibrant, yet often challenging, hub for the Latter Day Saints.

Founding the Ladies' Relief Society of Nauvoo

A crowning moment in Emma's leadership journey occurred in 1842. In the bustling city of Nauvoo, a clear need arose for an organized women's body that could channel charitable efforts, provide mutual support, and promote spiritual growth among the women of the community. Consequently, the Ladies' Relief Society of Nauvoo was formally established. Recognizing her inherent leadership qualities, compassionate spirit, and deep understanding of the needs of the community, the members unanimously elected Emma Hale Smith as the organization's first president. Under her guidance, the Relief Society swiftly became a vital institution, focusing on providing aid to the poor, caring for the sick, and strengthening the moral and spiritual fabric of the Latter Day Saint women.

Life After Joseph Smith and Her Role in the RLDS Church

The assassination of Joseph Smith in 1844 plunged the Latter Day Saint movement into a crisis, leading to significant internal divisions. While a substantial portion of the Saints followed Brigham Young west to the Salt Lake Valley, Emma made the profound and difficult decision to remain in Nauvoo. There, she dedicated herself to raising her children and rebuilding her life amidst the aftermath of the movement's fragmentation. In 1847, she married Lewis C. Bidamon, a non-Latter Day Saint merchant, and continued to reside in Nauvoo for the remainder of her life. Her decision to stay connected her to the "reorganized" branch of the movement that would eventually become known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church), now formally called the Community of Christ. Emma became a cherished and influential member of the RLDS Church, providing continuity and a direct link to the faith's earliest foundational experiences, particularly through her testimonies of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Her later life was marked by her steadfast commitment to her family and her quiet yet powerful witness to the spiritual events of her youth, cementing her place as a figure of enduring historical and religious significance.

FAQs About Emma Hale Smith Bidamon

Who was Emma Hale Smith Bidamon?
Emma Hale Smith Bidamon was a prominent leader in the early Latter Day Saint movement, known primarily as the first wife of its founder, Joseph Smith. After his death, she became a significant figure in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ).
What was her most notable leadership role during Joseph Smith's lifetime?
Her most notable leadership role was being elected as the first president of the Ladies' Relief Society of Nauvoo in 1842, an influential women's service and spiritual organization.
What was the purpose of the Ladies' Relief Society of Nauvoo?
The Ladies' Relief Society of Nauvoo was founded as a women's service organization dedicated to charitable work, providing aid to the needy, caring for the sick, and promoting spiritual and moral upliftment among the women of the Latter Day Saint community.
Why did Emma Hale Smith Bidamon not move west with Brigham Young and the main body of Latter Day Saints?
Following Joseph Smith's death, Emma made the personal decision to remain in Nauvoo, Illinois, to raise her children. She did not follow Brigham Young and the majority of the Latter Day Saints who migrated to the Great Basin (now Utah).
What was her connection to the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church)?
After Joseph Smith's death, Emma remained in Nauvoo and eventually aligned with the branch of the movement that reorganized in the Midwest. She became a respected member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ), providing a vital link to the foundational history and earliest experiences of the faith.