“Thy heart shall rejoice in the great work of the Lord, and no one shall take thy rejoicing from thee.” — Joseph Smith Sr.¹

Emma Smith lived in a tent with Joseph while they opened their home to care for those who were sick during the summer of 1839.² She was appointed as the first president of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, which was organized in March 1842.³ Emma insisted that it be called the “Relief” Society because she expected “extraordinary occasions and pressing calls.”⁴ She was the first woman to receive temple ordinances and later helped administer them to other women.⁵

1. Blessing from Joseph Smith Sr., 9 December 1834, 4, josephsmithpapers.org

2. “‘A Day of God’s Power,’” history.churchofjesuschrist.org

3. “The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo,” josephsmithpapers.org

4. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 37, 448-451

5. “Emma Hale Smith,” churchofjesuschrist.org