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Emma Smith tells 'My Story'
By Genelle Pugmire
Deseret Morning News
Published: January 31, 2008
EMMA SMITH: MY STORY —
Produced by: Joseph Smith Jr. and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society Inc.
Written by: Gary H. Cook
Starring: Katherine Nelson, Patricia Place, Nathan Mitchell
Length: 90 minutes
OREM — At last, a movie that tells us about Emma Smith (most of it by her own hand) and her life as wife to the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr.
However, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the LDS Film Festival audience were left anxious for more information.
The story is shot in retrospect as an aging Emma, played exquisitely by Patricia Place, recounts moments of her life with Joseph, the hardships, the lost children, the persecution and the extreme love and devotion.
While some may think there is nothing new, it's captivating to see it from Emma's eyes.
One memorable scene is the infamous tarring and feathering of Joseph. The depiction is perhaps the most realistic one of its kind, though discreet, and shows the absolute horror and grief in Emma's eyes and her subsequent fainting at the sight of her husband.
Some may question why a full-length film on Emma is being released to the public. The answer is they are getting to see it. According to producers Mike Kennedy and Paul Savage, the main purpose in producing the film is to bring the Smith's heritage to a knowledge of their legacy.
According to Kennedy, one third of Joseph and Emma's descendants live in Australia. While they had documents and diaries from Emma (some never before seen in Utah), they don't fully comprehend their place in history. Kennedy said this film is meant to help fulfill the promises made in the Doctrine and Covenants Section 109: 68-70. He is the first male descendant of Emma and Joseph's to join the LDS church.
The cinematography is beautiful, the acting superb. There is nothing to offend and much to be learned from watching.
Local theatrical release by Candlelight Media is scheduled for April 11.
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There is a one-women play written by Kimberly Mellen and Steven Fales that is more comprehensive. A reading was given at the 2007 Sunstone Symposium. It is supposed to come to SLC in 2008. The play was called Mrs. Joe Smith First Lady of Mormondom, but the name may be changed. The play explores the mind and heart of Emma Smith on the eve before the Saints leave Nauvoo for Utah. She talks about her love for her prophet-husband Joseph Smith, the Saints, and the Restored Gospel, and her own feelings about polygamy and her children's place in history. It is a very moving piece. I look forward to seeing it again.
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