What was Joseph Smith’s Personal Life like?
Joseph Smith was born in 1805, and spent most of his childhood in Palmyra, New York. His parents were Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith. He came from a large family of 10 brothers and sisters. He grew up on his family’s farm and had little schooling. He attended Christian churches with his parents through his childhood. His parents always encouraged him to read the Bible, pray, and be faithful in God. His parents were both of Christian denominations, but encouraged Joseph to find his own faith in Christ. Religion was promoted in his home. They met nightly for family prayer and scripture study, and they attended revival meetings sponsored by various sects vying for converts. But Joseph didn’t know which denomination to join. After reading in the Book of James the admonition to ask of God, Joseph Smith, as a faithful 14 year old boy, went into a grove of trees to pray. Christ and Heavenly Father appeared to Joseph, telling him not to join any of the sects, and that Christ’s church would soon be restored on earth. After Joseph Smith told his parents that God and Jesus Christ appeared to him, his parents were supportive and later both joined the Mormon Church.
In 1827, Joseph Smith married Emma Hale. She was tall, slender, and had dark brown hair and blue eyes. Emma Hale was devoutly religious and supported Joseph throughout his calling as the Church’s prophet. She was strong-willed and hard working. She was the president of the Church’s women’s society, the Relief Society. She took dictation from her husband many times in helping to translate the Book of Mormon. She endured much trial throughout her lifetime. Joseph Smith faced a tremendous amount of persecution. Although the followers of Joseph Smith thought well of him, there were many who saw Joseph as a threat and wanted to end his life. He was hated by many. Threats were also made on Emma’s life and the lives of their children. Joseph’s and Emma’s faith was constantly being tried. The family moved many times, running from mobsters, trying to find a safe haven for Mormons to live in peace.
As early as 1841, Joseph introduced plural marriage, a necessary part of the restoration of the ancient order of things. He had received the revelation commanding plural marriage as early as 1831, but was reticent to practice or to teach it. A few times, he made the attempt, but the members of the Church were unready to receive the commandment. At first, therefore, he introduced the practice to only himself and a few members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. After marrying Emma, Mormon history tells us that he took on at least twenty five more women as his wives. Joseph, and most Mormons, did not want to practice polygamy. The practice of polygamy was hard for Emma to accept as well, and she seemed to alternately accept and reject it. It’s not known whether Joseph Smith cohabited with any of his wives except Emma, since Mormons believe in eternal marriage. Female members of the Church desired to be united with the prophet in eternity, and so became “spiritual wives,” never cohabiting with the Prophet. There are no proven offspring from polygamous unions of Joseph Smith.
Joseph and Emma had a large family together. They lost six of their children during childbirth. This was a huge test of faith for Emma. The Smith family struggled financially but never let their faith in the Lord dwindle. They remained faithful and committed to the Church through bitter persecution and trial.