Emma Smith: My Story

First off, it should be noted that this film was not made by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is an independent film which was promoted by the Joseph Smith and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society. The producers did contact the church history department for some information, and were given special access to and permission to use historic materials and documents owned by the church, but that is as far as their influence extends. They also worked with descendants of Joseph and Emma, as a means of trying to understand the character of the people involved. Whether or not you are a member of the church, the movie portrays a touching story of love and faith, and serves as an excellent source of understanding for much of the early history of the Mormon movement.

Technically, the film is beautifully made. The director has a genuine gift for the craft of cinematography, and it is well demonstrated in the beautiful visuals seen in this movie. The costumes, locales and all the visual elements really allow the audience to get a feel for the times and places depicted. A special nod must be given to the writers as well. The development of the story is well thought out, and the highlights that were picked to depict the progression of events were well chosen. This could not have been easy given the scope of the material to cover, and much had to be left out for the sake of time.

I do feel, reading one of the reviews posted here that some criticism needs to be made. Inaccurate rumors, slanders, incomplete or out of context information, and outright lies have long been the fate of Joseph Smith and the Mormons. That type of commentary is not a review of the movie or its merits. This movie does not claim to depict everything that occurred, nor to take sides on the divisive issues. One of the film's producers put it this way, "The film doesn't attempt to treat every aspect of early LDS history in a technically accurate way, he said, including scenes where Joseph Smith is translating the Book of Mormon. "We're looking to portray Emma's role in those events, her beliefs and convictions," rather than tackling "certain issues that just are too complicated to present in a film format." (Mike Kennedy) I believe that this film succeeds in this goal. While Emma remained behind when the main body of the church left Nauvoo, to her dying day she defended Joseph and expressed her love and affection for him.

The issue of plural marriage was a difficult and divisive issue then as now, and Emma said very little on the subject. She eventually became a member of the Reorganized Church,(now known as the Community of Christ) and spent the rest of her life in Nauvoo, where she is buried next to Joseph in the family cemetery.

One of the most important things that this film does, is open a window on the personality and character of these two highly influential and amazing people. It does not matter whether or not you believe in the doctrinal issues of the Mormon faith, you get to see some of the reasons for what they did, and you get to see Emma and Joseph as individuals who lived and breathed and laughed and cried, and loved each other, and not as untouchable names in a history book.

Naturally several aspects of the story of Founder Joseph Smith have been done by the Mormon cinema. This particular version of the story concentrates on his wife, his one and only wife as polygamy had not taken hold in the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. You could in fact show a monogamous true love relationship between a man and a woman still in these early days of the LDS church.

The work of her husband Joseph Smith is seen through the eyes of his wife Emma Hale Smith who survived him by many years. Emma is played by Patricia Place in old age and by Katherine Nelson opposite Nathan Mitchell who appeared as Smith in many films. Against the background of Smith's work in growing the church he founded, a simple and poignant love story is told from the time they met to the time Joseph Smith went to Carthage, Illinois to his death as it turned out.

I think a lot of people can't quite wrap their minds around romance and LDS theology when they were polygamous. Polygamy was never meant to be permanent, it was a method of growing the church rapidly to be discarded when no longer needed. Or as it turned out in 1897 in order that Utah finally be admitted to the union.

As is usual with LDS films I've found they are meticulously accurate in portraying the times of the early church in the Jacksonian era. The players are sincere and committed to their roles and the story.

It's a good romance film as well and a lot more than LDS members can appreciate that.

This film was wonderfully done with a great soundtrack. Unlike past LDS historical films, where the focus is Joseph Smith or Bringham Young, this film is about Emma, her perspective, and how she saw things.

It's narrative/conversation that Emma is having later on in life with her daughter Julia Murdock Smith, about all of the events that surrounded her and Joseph-thru *her* perspective.

The film touches on all the controversial issues, and doesn't gloss over them.

Whether you are LDS or not, you will appreciate this film, it is touching, honest and both heart wrenching and heartwarming.

Go see it.

:)

David

I really wasn't planning on seeing this movie, because I haven't always been impressed with the movies about LDS subjects put out by others besides the LDS church. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the entire movie. It was done in such a way that it kept one's interest, and also showed the depth of feeling that Emma must have had in her life with Joseph Smith. I thought it revealed the anguish that she felt in his suffering and her compassion for Joseph and their children. It also showed the happiness and intimacy they shared as a married couple. It touched on all the important issues that would have affected Emma. I thought the polygamy issue was handled well, in that not a lot is known about what went on at the time, and many of the stories that have been told about Joseph and polygamy are untrue or exaggerated. In the movie, Emma did say that it was the hardest thing they had to deal with, and I imagine it was. I'm not sure anymore could be truthfully portrayed, considering the controversial nature of the subject. I loved the musical score -- especially how the old hymns were scored. The cinematography was professional. As a woman, I thought the movie an appropriate portrayal of a wife, daughter, mother, and woman of faith.

I did enjoy the film. It was well done. But, issues of Joseph Smith 's polygamy were barely mentioned. Also, film shows Joseph translating directly from the golden plates , whereas hd actually, supposedly, translated by looking into a hat at seer stones - bizarre and not shown here.