Reader comments
Film review: 'Emma Smith' is a labor of love

I'm wondering how briefly the movie touched upon Joseph Smith's polygamy. Some of the actual history was as dramatic as any film. I honor Joseph as a prophet through whom the fullness of the Gospel was restored, but I also believe he was imperfect, the same as any other man. I don't base my testimony on the fallacy that Joseph was perfect but on his miraculous illumination of the Gospel message. Before him the Gospel was almost incomprensible and so open to differing Biblical interpretations that two sincere seekers of truth could see the Gospel as two animals of different genera, let alone species. Through his revelations and translations Joseph clarified a multitude of truths, including the true nature of God and Jesus Christ, how Christ literally saved us from physical and spiritual death, and he answered the previously imponderable questions: Where did we come from, why are we here, and where are we going? Did he make mistakes? Definitely. Did he make major mistakes? I can't say. Was he a prophet of God? I cannot deny it.

Jeff, thank you for your honest review of Emma Smith: My Story.
This movie explores deeper than surface issues and invites the viewer to contemplate the power of unthinking prejudice to bring sorrow and distress; also the power of love to overcome unendurable things. It honors Emma Smith and invites us to appreciate her for her strength and not judge her for her weaknesses and by example treat others better in our own lives.
The music and dialogue lift and build positive feelings within with entertaining humor, thought provoking truths and invites serious reflection.
It is appropriate for all ages over 8. It is a movie that deserves viewing more than once. It is beautiful.

I just saw the movie "Emma Smith, My Story", tonight. I was hoping that it would have addressed issues such as why Emma elected to stay in Nauvoo after Joseph's death, and how she dealt with her experiences as she learned that Joseph had secretly taken other wives. I was also anxious to learn of her involvement with her son's leadership in the reorganized church and just generally the part of her history that we don't know much about as typical mormons. Don't expect to learn anything new from this film. It would have been more appropriately named, "Emma Smith, 1/2 of My Story". Polygamy was a major issue and conflict in Emma's life but it only garnered maybe 30 seconds worth of attention in the movie. The movie comes across as though it were a church production that was made to be shown in the visitor's center. It was beautifully done but if you want to learn about anything in Emma's life besides mormonism you will probably be disappointed.