“I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience which [Emma] has ever done.” — Lucy Mack Smith1
Emma Hale was born on July 10, 1804, in Harmony, Pennsylvania, to Isaac and Elizabeth Hale.2 Emma grew up in an environment that valued education, attended a school near her home,4 and eventually became a schoolteacher.5 She attended a Methodist church.5 In 1825, Emma met Joseph Smith Jr., who was boarding with her family. Despite facing disapproval from her family, she decided to elope with him on January 18, 1827.6
Emma was present when her husband retrieved the golden plates, and she played an instrumental part in the translation of the Book of Mormon. She served as Joseph's first scribe, working diligently.7 Emma said the plates would "rustle with a metallic sound when the edges were moved by the thumb."8
After the Church was formally organized, Emma was one of the first to be baptized,9 and after being directed to do so in a revelation given to Joseph, Emma compiled a hymn book for the Saints.10
1. Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1845, Chapter 38, 190, josephsmithpapers.org
2. "Smith, Emma Hale," josephsmithpapers.org
3. "Hale, Isaac," josephsmithpapers.org
4. "Emma’s Susquehanna: Growing Up in the Isaac and Elizabeth Hale Home," churchofjesuschrist.org
5. "Emma Hale Smith," churchofjesuschrist.org
6. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 4, 31-36
7. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 5, 46
8. "Gold Plates," churchofjesuschrist.org