I saw the movie last night, and it was fantastic! A must see for all people who have an interest, curiosity, or reverence for Emma Ssmith. What a grand woman she is.

The movie was fine, however extremely sterile. Emma's life was in constant torment -- mainly over Joseph's polygamy. I was hoping to see a Emma's struggle with polygamy and Joseph's deception about it. Although it was briefly mentioned in the movie, it needed much more in-depth consideration in order for me to label the movie as an historically accurate depiction of Emma's life.

Although beautifully shot, it was lacking in what I think are essential and very significant elements. Overall, I was disappointed.

Emma's faith never waivered!

Only thing was she didn't endure to the end.

So, they're specifically targeting women who haven't a clue about Emma's actual history, but think she was really cool anyway? How can they claim that Emma's denials of plural marriage were due to the time period's social norms? Are we supposed to believe that Emma was too virtuous to discuss it, but all Joseph's other wives, after reaching Utah, were so "immoral" that they would openly declare their relationships with Joseph? We're supposed to believe Emma "was consistent with" all of the statements Joseph made, up through his death? Her published final interview with Joseph III certainly looks otherwise! And what's with all the silly commentary about how Joseph's revelation on plural marriage wasn't about polygamy?? Who do they think they're fooling here? Perhaps this all makes sense, since the producers go on to say they aren't trying to present "technically" correct Mormon history (translation: "We'll tell whatever pretty story we want, about a pretty lady who did pretty things!") Plus, Joseph asked HER about the walls of Jerusalem, she didn't ask him, as these producers say!! This article certainly doesn't bode well for a worthwhile, let alone accurate, film!

Most early LDS were very troubled when first presented with the doctrine of polygamy. Some were eventually able to talk themselves into it.

Here's an important lesson. If someone presents an idea that is deeply troubling and disturbing, chances are it's wrong. It doesn't matter if its a "get rich quick" scheme or a religious doctrine.

God gave us a brain and conscience to help us discern truth from error. We need to learn to use them.

Re:Forrest So you are now Emma's judge well I am glad you are not mine wow you think highly of yourself and to Nick wow what a scholar you are! I will beleive every word you both say. NOT! Who are we to judge anyway. This movie was not the idea of either one of you so if you think you can do it better go for it. But I bet you two don't have two nickels to rub together! Ha Ha Ha

That's intertainment? the direct interposition of divine mercy? Sadly mistaken is an understatement, insanity is a close relitive to divenity. Truely they where all insane by any strech of the imagination. Lets make a beautiful movie about a delusional inn keepers daugter who married and even more delusional country bumpken and the pain and mesery he brought on his family and all who followed his insain attempt to rewrite the bible the way he thought it should be. There's a lesson in there somewhere, something along the line that pilegra is real, then and now although now we give the less reverberating an enternal name ,schizophrenia. Philandering, child molester, for you Hollywood types although be it devine in nature.

The real story of Emma Smith IS the story of polygamy! Her story cannot be told without polygamy being the CENTRAL THEME!

This movie is a farce and a fraud. It is trying to focus on Emma's "faithfulness" - give me a break! If she was so darned faithful, why did Brigham Young hate her and condemn her for not coming West with the Saints?

This is just more LDS Church-sponsored revisionist history, and it makes those who produced this movie into a laughing stock.

Don't waste you money on this film.

So this film serves to further muddy the waters concerning Emma Smith locally, while elsewhere (if it is seen elsewhere) it will only serve to reignite the debate concerning Joseph Smith's polygamy. Because as RMW alluded to, Emma's fight against polygamy is the real story here. She left consciously chose to leave the LDS church over her disagreement with the practice of polygamy and history has proven her to be right. That's what this movie should have been about, Emma Smith's vindication.

Nick, you say that the filmakers are targeting women who havent a clue about Emma....yet the article referes to women who know little about Emma. You think that means the same thing? Your comment is riddled with inaccuracies and distortions. A film critic you are not.

Interesting point, BAM. I'm sure that when God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son, the idea would have been deeply troubling and disturbing to him. Should he not have considered it then? Our "gut reactions" are not always indication of whether or not something is truth or error. Absolutely, let's use the brain and conscience God gave us, but sometimes faith has to be thrown into the mix as well.

I was privileged to see the film last night, and I heartily recommend it! Emma loved and supported Joseph and helped him become who he was similarly to what Sister Hinckley did for President Hinckley.

If you’re hoping to see controversial topics explored in the film, you will be disappointed, but there is far more to early church history than just polygamy. Real events are portrayed beautifully and movingly in the film. Take a hanky, and enjoy it! Emma was an elect lady.

To Divinity~
Please, learn how to spell!!

I am an active LDS member who agrees that Emma's history has always bothered me. Having said that, I LOVED the movie. See it!

I also talked with some of the people that made the film. The LDS church went through it with a "fine tooth comb" and wouldn't let them use any of their footage from "Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration" unless the movie included only "verifiable" content from journals, etc.

The acting was great, the footage from the Joseph Smith movie added an incredible dimension. I know that over 2-1/2 hours of great footage was left on the "cutting room floor" and many of us that loved the Joseph movie are thrilled to see footage used from that wonderful LDS movie effort.

SEE THE MOVIE!

I have yet to see this film, I'm sure it borders on some truth, but the story would have things in to please the anti-mormon crowd just make money, after all the movie companies don't make movies if they think they will lose money.

Two brief clarifications on quotations in the article. First, it was not characterized as a docudrama by the producers, but rather in response to whether this was a documentary we responded that it was not, that is was closer to a docudrama but that it did contain fictionalized elements that one would not typically see in a docudrama per se. Second, the statement that Emma's public statements were consistent with Joseph's public statements about polygamy was not meant to suggest that Emma publicly acknowledged any practice of polygamy. Most of what occurred during that period will probably never be known for sure, but I do not believe that Joseph viewed what Abraham did as being synonomous with what most people would consider polygamy to be. Still, to suggest that polygamy, plural marriage, the "principle" or anything like that should be the central theme of a person's life is just nonsense. It says more about the prejudices and preoccupations of the person holding such a view than it does about Emma. Emma was a remarkable woman, and her contemporaries described her as such. That is all the film tries to show, and ultimately, it is just a movie.

It's not history, folks. It's a story created and presented to make you feel good about yourselves.

ScottAZ, I'm sorry if you feel there is some vast difference between women who "know little about Emma" vs. women who "haven't a clue about Emma." Boy, that sure is one huge "distortion," eh? Why don't you tell us what other "inaccuracies and distortions" you find in my comment? I'd be happy to respond! These film producers made some very inaccurate claims in the article, and I pointed them out.

Oh good, another fairy tale about Emma. This film is obviously for those who won't read the abundant historical material regarding her life. For those who thought she was faithful to the end need only to skip to those chapters covering her life after 1844. I'm with Brigham Young who essentially said that if Joseph was to have Emma in the hereafter he would have to go to hell to get her. Prophetic words indeed.

The church's role model for women should be Eliza Roxy Snow Smith Young, not Emma who joined an apostate organization with her son as "prophet". Of course, that's just the first verse. The church is definitely in denial regarding her.

To those who have seen the film (I have not yet), does the film take the humanity out of Emma? Nick Literski brings up a good point (by the way, if this is THE Nick Literski, he knows this history about as well as anyone). Does it portray Emma as a loyal disciple who never questioned the actions of her husband? Does it gloss over the heart-wrenching and soul-searching journey the introduction of polygamy must have introduced into their relationship? Does it go into the difficulty of seeing her position in society taken away by the change in leadership? Be nice to Nick. He simply tried to point out that the film, in his opinion, did not capture the essence of the historical Emma. It sounds as though it is another construction of a perfect human to whom those of us who are fallen find diffult to relate.

It amazes me how quickly people condemn Emma for her humanity, her struggles, her imperfections, and her choices, but see Joseph as perfect, without flaw, or frailty. They were perfectly matched; he would not have been the man he was without her. What she endured and survived would've crushed most men or women. While I do not understand everything she did post-martyrdom of her husband, I'd never condemn her. I think Joseph would be appalled with those who did, and those today, who still do.

The article said:

"The film doesn't attempt to treat every aspect of early LDS history in a technically accurate way, he said, including scenes where Joseph Smith is translating the Book of Mormon. 'We're looking to portray Emma's role in those events, her beliefs and convictions,' rather than tackling 'certain issues that just are too complicated to present in a film format.'"

The issues are not too complicated for film; it's just that the facts are not congruent with the audience's expectations. But it sounds like the filmmakers know their audience, and those of us who hold more "complicated" views would do well to look elsewhere for our entertainment.

This merely continues the classic struggle over LDS history. Will it anything (book, film, photograph, article) be faith-affirming or faith-challenging. This fanciful portrait of Emma Smith, the Joseph Smith film embraced by Church authorities, the Joseph Smith Papers programs on television, are all designed to be faith-affirming. They are as if spoken from the pulpit. With heart, feeling and--I'm certain-- sincere belief.
This film is for the person who takes great comfort from their faith, and yearns for the path (both anticipated forward and reviewed back) to be straight and certain. So be it. Like all of these LDS-based feature films over the past ten years, it is a niche/vanity press affair. Such niche efforts are commonplace...have little impact...and make great gift-giving for those of the faith. But--just like the truly horrid "September Dawn"--this too will be on the discount rack by summer.

Since no one now alive was present when Joseph and Emma lived, it is interesting to me that many people seem to "know" all about their lives, especially many commentors here. What we learn about that past, is from what we read. And not everything we read is accurate. God is the only source of truth and to learn truth, we need to ask Him.

Anythign short of that is pure specualtion. In other words, do as Joseph Smith did and ask God. He will give you impressions about what the truth is.

To bugle @ 9:59 a.m.:

If you cried in the movie, does that mean it's true?

The movie is actually not as much as Emma's History but her love story.

Showing an incredible elect lady, who went through trials and circumstances that are uncomprehendable to anyone.

Because no one can understand what she went through, the movie made an attempt to give viewers a glimpse into a perspective of her life through her eyes.
Then showing how much love her and Joseph had to of had for her to stay with him through it all. Through the losses, the mobs, moving, harassment, polygamy, judgement,etc..

If that is not true love, I don't know what is.
I think if we view the movie as more of her love story than her actual history then it is much more easily understood.

Sounds like the only type of Joesph Smith movie the critics would like, is one in which Smith is portrayed as a 19th century Hugh Hefner type.

Clearly, the critics feel polygamy must be the sole area of Joesph Smith's life that is worthy of any discussion. And the discussion, of course, must be one which slams Smith. From their view, any book or film which portrays Smith in any kind of positive life is nothing of (as Orson 9:39 a.m. said) revisionist history.

Perhaps those who are attacking this movie are doing so because they know it will do well. Unlike another recent movie which, despite Hollywood backing, despite having stars like Jon Voight in it, despite receiving praise from every "Christian" group out there, was a miserable flop.

The movie _September Dawn_ fell into the same trap as this film. Take a complex story and turn it into a simple "white hat/black hat" tale. In one, the Mormons are the good guys persecuted and killed by the evil Missourians. In the other, the Fanchers are the good guys killed by the evil Mormons. Its such simplistic understanding of the world and its history that I believe keeps getting us into trouble. Here's to a little more nuance.

No one here seems to want to talk about it, so I will just list a few facts.
Joseph Smith had 34 wives, including Emma. 11 of those wives were already married to other men at the time they married Joseph.
Three years after the Prophet Joseph's death, Emma married Lewis C. Bidamon.
If you don't believe me, research it yourself. Everything here can be substantiated by documents in the Church History Library at the Church Office Building downtown.

Oh yes Emma's faith did waiver, shake and rattle!

She NEVER agreed with polygamy, never agreed with the ner-do-well problem JS had towards taking care of his family, never agreed with the mysogony of the early brethern, and made plain and clear that she did not agree with the UtahMormons and would have nothing to do with them. So this all begs the question... Why the sudden interest in sanitizing and whitewashing EmmaSmith into MormonPop culture?

Why for publicity and conversionReasons... of course!

Plus... We have to heroize JSmith at all cost, especially since the church rises-n-falls on him, his character (or lackthereof), and what can be milked from all of this.

Beginning in the 1830s, at least thirty-three women married Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism. These were passionate relationships which also had some longevity, except in cases such as that of two young sisters, one of whom was discovered by Joseph's first wife, Emma, in a locked bedroom with the prophet. Emma remained a steadfast opponent of polygamy throughout her life.

The majority of Smith's wives were younger than he, and one-third were between fourteen and twenty years of age. Another third were already married, and some of the husbands served as witnesses at their own wife's polyandrous wedding. In addition, some of the wives hinted that they bore Smith children—most notably Sylvia Sessions's daughter Josephine—although the children carried their stepfather's surname.

RE:Laurie
Everyone makes mistakes in spelling and grammar.SO What did your comment have to do with the movie,EMMA?

It is not our place to judge Emma since non of us knows her heart. She will be judged by the only one who is qualified, Our Lord and Savior. He is the only one that knows her pain, sorrows and joys. To me she will always be what He said in the D&C, an elect woman

Apples-and-oranges comparison on the Abraham-Smith comparison.

Abraham was commanded by God. The early LDS were commanded by a man, Joseph Smith.

Obviously, if God directly and personally commands you to do something, gut reactions are moot. We are, afterall, talking about an omniscient God.

But mortals, including Joseph Smith, are not omniscient. Therefore, if our minds and our conscience are troubled or disturbed by something, it makes sense to follow it.

To LDS. The movie very clearly portrayed the marriage of Emma to Lewis Bidamon. It even told of his illegitimate son whom Emma helped to raise and also employed his mother to help keep them together. It truly does amaze me how many people make comments on something about which they haven't seen. Emma was shown as accurately as anyone could be in a 2-hour movie. I certainly was able to recognize her frustration at not being allowed to see the plates. I guess that would be showing some disagreement with her husband? Her thoughts on polygamy were touched on as were her thoughts on many subjects. I think this movie was more about her feelings toward her husband, not so much on how the doctrines affected her. Her faith was also a central portrayal. I was very happy to find out things about Emma that I wasn't aware of and also to see what her life was like having lost so many children in childbirth and her great kindness in raising other's children.

Just checked the Church's Family Search website. Joseph Smith, born Dec 23 1805, to parents Joseph Smith & Lucy Mack has only 22 marriage records.

I guess the other 12 were not properly recorded. :)

This took all of 2 minutes to confirm on my own. These church documents don't lie do they?

To Born Again Mormon. Why do you think God told Abraham, and that he didn't tell Joseph? We only have Abraham's word on that I believe. Please explain. Actually I think it is more like apples to apples.

I have watched the Documentary on the news the other night and I have heard really good reviews on this show, I hear that the Thearters were packed I have talked tomany people that have seen it or have gone to see it , I am planning that into my weekend schedule sometime,

To Born Again Mormon - Thanks for the clarification. Now, whenever I hear about members of the Westboro Baptists Church protesting at someone's funeral, like a fallen U.S. soldier and they say, "God told us to do it" we must believe they were commanded of God to do it.

Next General Conference, when people stand in front of Temple Square, screaming all kinds of vicious and disgusting words at Conference goers, and they say, "God told us to do it" we must believe them.

To "I Saw the Film | 3:38 p.m." You have to understand that it's okay for people to attack a movie they haven't seen yet, so long as that movie is pro-Joseph Smith.

It's just like LDS books and scriptures. Most Mormon bashers have never read them from cover to cover. They only read the parts they can twist, re-write or take out of context. These people only want the National Enquirer version.

This movie was very uplifting and well worth the time.

Emma Smith's "faith" never waivered.

Well, almost.

But even if that is true, what does that make her? An "elect" lady? Or a fool for not opposing her husband's infidelity!?

Just as Joseph Smith was either the most important person or else the biggest fraud in American history, so his wife Emma is either an "elect" lady or the biggest dupe in American history!

My vote is for the latter.

Oh, okay | 5:48 p.m.,

You are wrong. A great many "Mormon Bashers" (as you call them with such a Christian spirit) HAVE read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover several times. In fact, many of us know the LDS Scriptures better than you do!

But it protects your fragile ego and your fragile testimony to tell such lies to yourself.

The truth and the reality is that the LDS Church has a long history of emphasizing only the parts of their history that makes them look good, and systematically omitting and in some cases covering up the parts of their history that makes them look bad.

This film is no different. The "complicated" parts of the history are the things that make the Church look bad. That is why they were euphemistically dismissed as part of the scope of this "docudrama".

And you talk about "bashers" twisting and distorting things?...

The Juvenile Instructor blog is discussing this article. Just google for Juvenile Instructor. It also has a balanced review of the movie.

Like it or not, the comment by Kennedy that Emma went along with polygamy the rest of her life is not accurate. Emma had a long history of denying that Joseph ever practiced it.

I saw the movie, Emma, and was pleasantly surprised at how well it was done. I liked it! I recommend it! I believe we need to look for the good in others and that includes Emma. I don't understand her because I am not her, but I am happy to get to know her better. I admire her very much.

Though I haven't seen the film, reading these posts gives me the impression that some people have forgotten what movies are intended for: to entertain. How could anyone go see a movie about Emma Smith, or any other polarizing figure, and expect to see a complete deipction of that person's life.

It's a MOVIE, people. If you want to understand the best extant history on Emma and Joseph, read Bushman's Rough Stone Rolling. It's as historically accurate as you're probably going to get.

Emma was an enigma and so was Joseph. Intellectually honest people need to look at Joseph's fruits: the doctrine, organization, and scriptures of the Restoration as well as the troubling aspects of Emma's and Joseph's lives.

Mormons' faith in the restored gospel needs to be strong enough to face the facts of Joseph's strange manner of practicing polygamy (33 wives, some married to other men, some teens)and Emma's apostacy: her refusal to follow Brigham Young and starting/joining a competing church.

If you resent prettified movies that don't represent the whole truth, go read a book.

Perhaps Brigham Young was wrong about Emma?

I'm truly saddened in reading so many of these negative comments. How can so many of you be so unfeeling, unkind, judgemental and destructive.

I have always loved and admired Emma Smith. My gosh, what a lot she had to go through. My kids complain if they have to eat broccoli. She is a heroine. A strength. I think any human who has suffered should understand why maybe, just maybe, the suffering just wore her down and the loss of her Joseph took the spark out of her life and made her want to just stay behind with Lucy. After all the heroic actions of this woman, I would not judge her one single bit. She deserves every bit of happiness and glory that she can get.

Furthermore, you people who just want to be negative. If all you can feel is negativity, why are you spending time even reading, caring about or responding to things you obviously don't like?

Thank you to all who made this beautiful movie. It was very well done. The actress was superb. I'm thrilled that the descendants of the Smiths are being reached out to.

Interesting how people's own biases guide their interpretation of things. As a professional and serious historian, I find this movie true to the known facts and accurate. Stupid comments about a "lifelong" struggle with polygamy reveal how clueless some people are about the topic. They simply want to find a way to criticize so they can make themselves feel better about rejecting something they've never seriously investigated. Amazing how some people can spend a lifetime dedicated to criticizing others' faith. That's certainly not my definition of "Christian." It's bigotry, pure and simple--the same kind that crucified our Lord when he dared to say something the "orthodox" folks of his day did not want to hear.

I cannot find reason to criticize either Brigham or Emma for their decisions. Each did what they had to do in a most difficult time, and both of them are worth respecting. And I have always felt that you cannot love the Prophet Joseph Smith and hate his sweetheart. This movie does her justice and reveals the strength of her character both before and after Joseph's murder.