Angela Lee - Lesson 20 "The Prophet's Letters to His Family"
Angela brought to mind the special possession some of us have today - a treasured letter from someone special. Cathy Nielsen had a good point - these letters (even from an old boyfriend!) make us feel special or that we were valuable to someone. Tender letters from Joseph Smith to his dear wife, Emma, and family were the subject of today's lesson, and they truly show how special Joseph's beloved Emma and children were to him.
Joseph Smith traveled extensively over the 1831-1838 time period. He wrote letters of encouragement and love to his little family during his absences. These separations were a trial to all of them and the longing in his letters shows clearly how much he missed their association. He advised them as only a father trying to help raise his children could. He asked about their health and mentioned each by name. He bore testimony that although he couldn't be with them as much as he wanted, he knew that he was doing God's will and that He would watch over them.
Angela persuaded Nathan to record the letters for us to hear, and added music to the spoken word to give a nice dimension to the lesson. It was a great opportunity to see Joseph Smith, the prophet, as a loving, encouraging, tender husband and father in the midst of the whirlwind of organization which he had to accomplish.
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