by Klis Hale Volkening

This revelation was given in harmony, pennsylvania, in July 1830, three months after the organization of the Church. It was first printed in the book of commandments in 1833 as Chapter xxvi. It is addressed to Emma Smith, wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith. In the earliest version, Emma Smith is addressed as "my daughter in Zion." Joseph Smith later expanded this verse to add, "All those who receive my Gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom." (See Fatherhood and Sonship of Jesus Christ)

The section has five main components:

1. Emma is designated as an "elect lady" (verse 3). Later, on March 17, 1842, when Emma Smith became the first president of the Relief Society and the women were organized in the order of the priesthood, Joseph explained that this was the office of her "elect" calling. The benevolent organization that she led had grown to more than 3 million women by 1990.

2. Emma is admonished to unity with her husband to "be unto him for a scribe" and to "go with him at the time of his going" (verse 6). She accepted these callings, though she was later required to abandon home and security.

3. Emma is called to "be ordained under [Joseph's] hand to expound scriptures, and exhort the church," as "given thee by my Spirit" (verse 7). She is also commanded to study and devote her time "to writing, and to learning much" (verse 8). In the course of her life, she taught, expounded, exhorted, presided, and served in many Church organizations. The mandate has remained with LDS women: to master the scriptures, thus the more powerfully to lead, teach, minister, and serve.

4. Emma is charged to select sacred hymns, and a manifesto is given of the spiritual power of music: "The song of the righteous is a prayer unto me" (verse 12). Her hymnal was first published in 1836 (although 1835 appears on the title page). This collection utilizes many classical Christian words and melodies but also embodies songs related to most of the unique events and teachings of the restoration (see Hymns and Hymnody; Music).

5. Emma is counseled against murmuring, putting her public ministry before her role as companion of her husband, seeking "the things of this world" (verse 10), and pride. "Let thy soul delight in thy husband" (verse 14). She is to glorify her husband while involved in a public ministry. Emma fulfilled each of these callings, endured the loss of five children, and stood by Joseph until his martyrdom.

This inclusion of women in leading roles of the Church, presiding in some organizations and over certain sacral functions, was a marked departure from nineteenth-century patterns. Church leaders, both men and women, continue to cite passages from this inspired calling of Emma to exemplify some of the potentials of women and facilitate their full participation in all spiritual callings and blessings of the Gospel.

(See Teachings About Motherhood and the Role of Women home page; Basic Beliefs home page; Doctrines of the Gospel home page; Scriptual Writings home page; Doctrine and Covenants home page; Overview of the Doctrine and Covenents home page)

Bibliography

Hinckley, Gordon B. "If Thou Art Faithful." Ensign 14 (Nov. 84):89-92.

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 1, Doctrine and Covenants Section 25

Copyright © 1992 by Macmillan Publishing Company