![]() ![]() My heart hurt for her and she has all of my compassion and empathy because I honestly can't imagine being any less hurt in her situation. It was clear to me, although there is very little explanation as to why, how deeply betrayed Emma was by the practice of polygamy. ![]() Especially in regards to the end of Joseph Smith's life and the chaotic schism that happened between Emma and the main body of church members who continued to follow Brigham Young. There weren't many surprises for me, which was a relief but also a source of frustration. All of that attention to historical detail, while super important for validity, wasn't exactly conducive to riveting reading. Several times, the same source was used repeatedly in different chapters which had me feeling like I was maze reading.passing by the same spot again and again. She did not keep a journal and did not write many letters. It's frustrating that very few of the sources are ever from Emma Smith herself. With heavy documentation, sourcing and footnoting, I usually had one hand on the page I was reading and the other hand saving the place to that chapter's footnotes so that I could identify the source from sentence to sentence while I read. It is very scholarly and divided into topic rather than any sort of chronology. The main issue I have with First: The Life and Faith of Emma Smith is the formatting. When I came across this book, I was eager to know more about Emma Hale Smith, a well recognized but often misunderstood woman. I really enjoyed the confidence and strength she gave these voices from the past as well as her plea to judge them based on their own words and their own sources rather than strictly through our 21st century lens or from historically weak sources. I first heard of Jennifer Reeder when she was a guest on a podcast and found her to be articulate, honest, fair and extremely knowledgeable about Emma Smith and other early female saints from the 19th century restoration. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |