Emma Smith Movie Review by LdsNana-AskMormon

This movie Emma Smith- My Story, of which the LDS Church collaborated on, was released in April. Due to limited release of the Emma Smith movie, I had to wait until June - to finally experience this movie for myself. Until now, I have been left to depend on what others who had opportunity to see the movie, either prior to it's release - or early on when first released, as the sources that I have used to write my other article here on Hubpages about the movie Emma Smith - My Story!

Emma Smith - My Story: Mormons Are Now, Telling Their Own History!

Those whose reviews I have read and used previously as my sources for information about the Emma Smith movie, have been quite vague in how they have reviewed this movie. I may feel this way, because I am more interested in the experience of the movie, rather than the technical aspects and those things that a professional critic would analyze. Personally, now that I have seen the movie Emma Smith - My Story, for myself... I feel that most of the reviews that have been written about this movie have been, to put it simply --- patronizing. Nice. Even polite.

I had anticipated, as a member of the LDS Church and a Mormon woman, the release of Emma Smith - My Story, for a number of reason. Not the least of them, the critical feelings about Emma Smith and the decisions she made throughout her life, that have been judged quite harshly. These critics have residence inside and outside of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. After seeing this movie, it is my opinion - that every LDS female needs to find a theater and see the movie Emma Smith - My Story, and drag her LDS male associates with her, even if kicking and screaming. This is not a chick-flick.

As I have stated in my profile here on Hubpages, I am not an expert on Mormonism, nor am I an apologist of any kind whatsoever. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, with a bit of adequate background, to feel comfortable enough to get out and discuss the LDS Church, it's teachings, and a bit of history with others who would like to learn more about Mormonism... from a credible source. That's me. I am also a Woman of Mormonism in the Latter-Days, and bear this title, as do all LDS women - with a sense of pride, deep humility - and an especially profound gratitude for the legacy of those who have paved our way...

It is for these reasons and from this perspective that I offer my "review" of the movie Emma Smith: My Story:

Beginning with the opening scene of Emma Smith - My Story, we are to be told her "story" as narrated by her daughter, Julia Murdock. This personal guide is woven throughout the entire movie, even to the final words spoken in this film. They are the words of Julia Murdock, who was raised as Emma's own and only living daughter. This account of the reflections of Emma Smith's life,are brought about through an encounter Julia has with her mother, Emma Smith - in both of their later years of life. A sort of coming to terms with "their" lives, through the reflections of Emma Smith - and Julia's deep need for understanding and closure in her own life. This movie is meant to heal the family of Joseph Smith Jr. and Emma Hale Smith. As I left the movie theater, where I watched the movie twice, one word rang in my soul - and that one word had to be, exonerated.

Lucy Mack Smith’s tribute to Emma: “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 she has ever done; for I know that which she has had to endure—she has been tossed upon the ocean of uncertainty—she has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would have borne down almost any other woman.”

Gracia N. Jones, the great-great granddaughter of Emma - who is also a convert to the LDS Church, said this about Emma: "As I reflect upon all I have learned from Emma’s life, I feel great reverence for the testimony she has borne of the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon and for her precious vision of Joseph and her baby. Her legacy to us in her final witness is that she and all of us, through the ordinances restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith, have the opportunity to be with our families in eternity."

Katherine Nelson Thompson, of "Emma Smith: My Story," says, "There are so many things that have been said about her over the years that are completely false. I just think we're trying to help bring her back into a good light."

One of the difficulties for some members of the LDS Church, in reconciling an understanding of the life of Emma Smith, has been the lack of credible or complete history about Emma Hale Smith. Her "Story" has been attempted over the years by many - in their opinion, and with this loose history. Books have been published, histories written, opinions debated and criticisms of her generally considered, less than valiant membership in The Mormon Church -- have mounted. The Joseph Smith Jr. and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society, Inc., who are their direct family, but also the Church family - have been splintered since the death of Joseph Smith Jr. The cause of that split - laid to rest on Joseph Smith's widow, Emma Hale Smith.

As this movie opens, Julia first introduces us to a scene, with Emma Smith in her latest years, having before her a young boy named Charlie... both appearing apprehensive about one another. Emma Smith had come to discover that years before, Bidamon, whom she married after the death of Joseph Smith, had been unfaithful and fathered an illegitimate child. The mother of this child had become unable to care for the growing child, and Emma at 63, agreed to take him in and raise him as her own.

In narrating this account, Julia then proceeds to add one more very important detail to this already tender and compassionate story about her mother Emma. Set boldly on a platter - a clincher so to speak -- Julia shares proudly, that her mother - Emma Smith, also offered Charlie's mother, a job in her own home. This, Emma did - so that the natural mother could be close to this son, whom she could no longer care for alone. The movie now begins with Julia's firm declaration - "that was the kind of woman my mother was"...

This was the first, of a handful of "clinchers" that are glaringly intended throughout the movie Emma Smith: My Story, and are no doubt meant to compel anyone, who has harbored ill feelings or criticisms toward Emma Hale Smith, to reconsider such -- in future conversations.

Perhaps if you are one, who has had concerns about Emma Smith; regarding some of her alleged actions, choices and even behaviors -- thinking that perhaps some were not becoming of the wife of a prophet of God -- then I believe that after seeing the movie Emma Smith - My Story, you may be compelled to reconsider a few previous assumptions. This, assuming that the accounts in the movie Emma Smith - My Story were accurate and not speculative. It is my understanding that the collaborative efforts of those who were involved with the making of this movie about Emma Smith, did so with accuracy as the main priority.

If it is your hope to learn more about the wife of the prophet Joseph Smith, and understand her life and the many hardships that she endured - then you will receive the movie Emma Smith - My Story, very well.

I found myself enthralled in Emma's life as wife of the prophet Joseph Smith Jr., as portrayed stunningly and most convincingly, by Katherine Nelson Thompson. Her portrayal of Emma Hale Smith was a masterpiece, in the art of motion picture acting. If you believe in destiny on any level, then you might be compelled to believe that Katherine Nelson Thompson - was born to portray Emma Hale Smith. She did so, in a powerful way - as to literally manifest Emma and ultimately exonerate her before her people! After experiencing Emma Smith in this movie - you can't help but walk away somewhat changed.

Plural marriage you ask? Oh that... Julia and Emma did have a very brief, but pointed encounter where they discussed the "why" of Emma choosing to not ever discuss the revelation?

Interesting. Because it is the same way I feel about the doctrine of plural marriage and the question as to whether or not Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God? I liked Emma.

At the conclusion of the movie Emma Smith: My Story - the entire packed audience was completely still. Almost frozen in time... Yes, that was it. We had traveled back in time, if for only a moment -- to come to know Emma Hale Smith, truly an Elect Woman of God.

The movie Emma Smith - My Story is most definitely worth the effort to see. It promises to be enjoyable, deeply touchings, as well as educational for anyone who has an interest in Mormonism and coming to understand and know Emma Smith... a faithful daughter of God.

Emma Smith - My Story, now on DVD.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Your comments are always appreciated.

tDMg

LdsNana-AskMormon