Emma Hale Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland). Married first to Joseph Smith by Zechariah Tarble, 18 Jan. 1827, at South Bainbridge (later Afton), Chenango Co., New York. Assisted Joseph Smith as scribe during translation of Book of Mormon at Harmony, 1828, and joined him during completion of translation at Peter Whitmer Sr. farm, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York, summer 1829. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Oliver Cowdery, 28 June 1830, at Colesville, Broome Co., New York. Migrated from New York to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, Jan.–Feb. 1831. Lived at John Johnson home at Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, 1831–1832. Edited A Collection of Sacred Hymns, for the Church of the Latter Day Saints, published 1835, at Kirtland. Stockholder in Kirtland Safety Society. Fled Ohio for Far West, Caldwell Co., Missouri, Jan.–Mar. 1838. Exiled from Missouri, Feb. 1839; located near Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois. Moved to Commerce (later Nauvoo), Hancock Co., Illinois, 10 May 1839. Appointed president of Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, 17 Mar. 1842. Husband murdered, 27 June 1844. Fled to Fulton, Fulton Co., Illinois, Sept. 1846–Feb. 1847, then returned to Nauvoo. Married second Lewis Crum Bidamon, 23 Dec. 1847, at Nauvoo. Affiliated with Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1860. Died at Nauvoo.

Learn more