"Emma became the Mother of a son but she had but small comfort from the society of the dear little stranger for he was very soon snatched from her arms and borne aloft to the world of spirits before it had time to learn good or evil and for some time its Mother seemed to tremble upon the verge of the silent home of her infant." — Lucy Mack Smith1
In June 1828, shortly after Martin Harris departed for New York with the 116 pages, Emma went into premature labor. Her health was severely compromised during the delivery and she nearly lost her life. Tragically, the premature baby died just hours after birth.2 While in a family Bible a relative called the baby Alvin, his gravemarker in the McKune Cemetery in Harmony, Pennsylvania does not include a name.3 This loss also coincided with the loss of the 116 pages.4
Over time, Emma and Joseph's family continued to grow, and the couple had eight additional children and adopted two more.5
