Podcast Summary: followHIM - Doctrine & Covenants 23-26 Part 1 with Sis. Morgan Pearson

Episode Details

• Title: Doctrine & Covenants 23-26 Part 1 •• Sis. Morgan Pearson • March 17-March 23 • Come Follow Me
• Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
• Guest: Sis. Morgan Pearson
• Release Date: March 12, 2025

Introduction

In this insightful episode of the followHIM podcast, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway engage in a profound discussion with guest Morgan Pearson, delving into Doctrine and Covenants sections 23 through 26. The focus is particularly on section 25, which centers around Emma Smith, the wife of Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The conversation explores Emma's life, her contributions, challenges, and the broader implications of her story for contemporary believers.

Emma Smith: A Story of Redemption and Service

Pressure to Portray Emma Accurately

• Morgan Pearson [00:02]: Expresses the pressure she felt to accurately represent Emma's story, emphasizing Emma's desire for redemption and the hope to achieve it through their discussion.

Understanding Emma's Significance

• Hank Smith [01:10]: Introduces the focus on Emma within Doctrine and Covenants sections 23-26, highlighting her direct address in section 25.
• John Bytheway [01:10]: Reflects on the personal nature of the revelations directed at Emma, noting the universal relevance of the counsel provided.

Emma's Influence and Modern Relevance

• Morgan Pearson [01:51]: Aims to illustrate why Emma matters today, connecting historical insights with personal experiences. She references Jenny Reeder, a church historian, and her perspective on Emma's story as one of redemption, which parallels the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Redemption Through Historical Understanding

• Morgan Pearson [06:21]: Shares Jenny Reeder's comparison of Emma Smith to biblical figures like Eve and Miriam, emphasizing Emma's role in assisting Joseph Smith and her representation of every believer navigating personal challenges.

Notable Quote:

"Emma is every one of us as we maneuver our own ways, laying things down, lifting things up, keeping coming, receiving both warnings and blessings."
— Morgan Pearson [12:04]

Exploring Doctrine and Covenants Sections 23-26

Section 23: Assurance of No Condemnation

• John Bytheway [25:02]: Discusses how the Lord repeatedly reassures individuals that they are "under no condemnation," encouraging listeners to recognize their worth and embrace divine forgiveness.
• Hank Smith [26:01]: Emphasizes the Lord’s intent not to condemn but to uplift, fostering a compassionate understanding of divine intentions.

Section 24: Patience in Afflictions

• John Bytheway [27:26]: Reflects on the challenges faced by Joseph and Emma, highlighting the Lord's counsel to be patient amidst ongoing trials.
• Morgan Pearson [27:54]: Connects the teachings of section 24 to the personal relationship between Joseph and Emma, illustrating the mutual support they provided during hardships.

Section 25: Emma’s Divine Calling

• Morgan Pearson [29:57]: Introduces the core focus on section 25, detailing Emma’s designation as an "elect lady" and her future role in the Relief Society. She integrates insights from Sister Freeman and Jenny Reeder to underscore Emma's evolving role and the universal applicability of the revelation.
• Hank Smith [32:43]: Encourages listeners to draw principles from Emma's experiences, applicable to both men and women alike.

Notable Quotes:

"I speak unto you, Emma, my daughter."
— John Bytheway [33:32] (Original text from Section 25)

"Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It includes chastity and moral purity."
— Morgan Pearson [33:06]

Emma’s Personal Struggles and Strengths

Balancing Faith and Personal Challenges

• Morgan Pearson [43:40]: Highlights Emma's unwavering faith and discipline in adhering to spiritual directives, even amidst personal and communal turmoil.
• Hank Smith [50:21]: Reflects on Emma’s role during the Mormon exodus and subsequent hardships, portraying her as a pillar of relief and support within the community.

Letters Illustrate Deep Bonds

• Morgan Pearson [54:22]: Shares excerpts from letters between Joseph and Emma Smith, illustrating their profound love and mutual support during times of imprisonment and persecution.
• Hank Smith [55:45]: Discusses a poignant letter from Joseph to Emma, underscoring the emotional weight of their relationship during his incarceration.

Notable Quotes:

"I cannot tell you my feelings when I found I could not see you before you left. Yet I expect you can realize them..."
— Emma Smith [54:50]

"Dear Emma, I am very much resigned to my lot, knowing that I am justified and having done the best that could be done..."
— Joseph Smith [58:38]

Emma's Last Will and Testament

Insights into Emma's Character

• Morgan Pearson [43:40]: Discusses Emma's last will and testament, revealing her humble acceptance of her circumstances and her steadfast faith in God's plan. Emma requested blessings such as wisdom, discernment, a cheerful countenance, and the ability to acknowledge God's hand in all things.

Unfulfilled Blessings and Legacy

• Morgan Pearson [56:58]: Reflects on Emma's blessing for a cheerful countenance, juxtaposed with historical accounts noting her sadness in later years, prompting discussion on whether these blessings were fully realized.

Notable Quote:

"Whatever my lot in life, I might be enabled to acknowledge the hand of God in all things."
— Emma Smith [56:58]

Relief Society and Emma's Leadership

The Birth of the Relief Society

• Morgan Pearson [46:00]: Explains Emma's pivotal role in founding the Relief Society, highlighting her vision to inspire and minister with compassion. She emphasizes Emma’s ability to unify and prepare others for extraordinary service.

Challenges During Polygamy

• Morgan Pearson [50:21]: Addresses the complexities Emma faced when polygamy became a church practice, noting her temporary absence from Relief Society and the personal toll it took on her.

Notable Quotes:

"We are going to do something extraordinary... we shall consider that a loud cloth call for relief."
— Emma Smith [50:57]

"Be a comfort. Be together strong."
— John Bytheway [54:36]

Conclusion and Reflections

Embracing Emma Smith’s Legacy

• Hank Smith [58:38]: Concludes by reflecting on Emma's enduring legacy and the importance of understanding her multifaceted life. He invites listeners to continue exploring her story in the upcoming part two of the episode.

Looking Forward

• Morgan Pearson [63:28]: Hints at upcoming discussions, including the complexities of plural marriage and Emma's personal struggles, ensuring listeners anticipate a comprehensive exploration of Emma Smith’s life and Doctrine and Covenants.

Notable Final Quote:

"Emma did not just stand at that window and wonder... She gave in. She married a drunkard and raised his illegitimate child from an adulterous relationship."
— Morgan Pearson [20:42]

Key Takeaways

1. Emma Smith's Integral Role: Emma is portrayed not just as Joseph Smith’s wife but as a pivotal figure in early LDS Church history, whose contributions and struggles reflect broader themes of redemption and service.

2. Doctrine and Covenants Insights: Sections 23-26 provide profound revelations directed at Emma, emphasizing themes of virtue, redemption, and compassionate service applicable to all believers.

3. Personal and Communal Challenges: Emma’s life was marked by intense personal challenges and communal hardships, highlighting her resilience and dedication to her faith and family.

4. Legacy and Redemption: Understanding Emma's story offers listeners a lens through which to view their own spiritual journeys, emphasizing forgiveness, redemption, and the importance of supportive relationships.

5. Relief Society Foundations: Emma’s vision and leadership were instrumental in founding the Relief Society, establishing a model of compassionate service and unity that continues to inspire today.

Recommended Resources

• Show Notes: followhim.co
• YouTube Channel: FollowHim Official Channel
• Instagram: @followhimpodcast
• Facebook: FollowHim Podcast
• Book Mentioned: Jenny Reeder’s First, a detailed account of Emma Smith’s life.

This episode of followHIM offers a rich and engaging exploration of Emma Smith's role within the early LDS Church, providing listeners with historical insights, personal reflections, and spiritual lessons drawn from Doctrine and Covenants sections 23-26. Through Morgan Pearson’s articulate narration and the hosts’ thoughtful questions, the conversation illuminates Emma's enduring legacy and its relevance to modern believers seeking to deepen their faith and understanding.