Historical Background
This is the only revelation in the collection that is addressed to Emma Smith, wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith. When this revelation was received she was 26 years old and had endured humiliation and harassment from enemies of the Church in New York State. One portion of the revelation deals with Emma’s spirit and councils her to avoid murmuring. Another portion introduces an assignment the Lord gave to Emma to produce a collection of hymns. Emma did make this selection and in April of 1832 the collection was submitted to the Church’s Literary Firm. Editorial changes were made and the collection was ready for publication. However, enemies of the Church destroyed the Church’s printing press in Independence, Missouri; thus delaying the actual publication of the hymnal.
In September 1835, Emma was encouraged to complete the assignment she had received, adding additional hymns. This was completed and published in February 1836. There were ninety hymns in this first hymnal and no music, just the words.
A second edition was published in Nauvoo in 1841. Work on a third edition was underway in 1843 but was never completed.
D&C 25:1-4 A Daughter in the Kingdom of God
Find words and phrases that describe the Lord’s feelings for Emma. What promises does the Lord make to her if she is faithful?
D&C 25:5-10, 13-16 A Wife in the Kingdom of God
Joseph Smith was the president of the Church. While it was not a very large Church at this time, about the size of a modern ward, his responsibilities were enormous. What were things Emma could do to help him in his assignment? What things could Joseph do to help Emma? How is the counsel the Lord gave to this young couple with great responsibility in the kingdom of God similar to the counsel God has given all couples?
D&C 25:11-12 An Assignment in the Kingdom
According to these verses, how does the Lord feel about sacred music? How can this understanding bless the homes of modern Church members?
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