Joseph and Emma

Working together to bring the world the Book of Mormon

Emma Hale sitting by a river near her home.

Emma Hale grew up in a large family in Pennsylvania, not far from New York, where Joseph Smith lived. Emma and her family believed in God. Emma liked to read, sing, ride horses, and paddle a canoe in the river by her home.

Saints, 1:31–32

Joseph Smith and his father walking by Emma Hale’s home. Emma is looking out the window and noticing Joseph.

When Emma was 21, Joseph Smith and his father came to work for one of Emma’s neighbors. Emma’s father invited them to stay in his home.

Joseph Smith—History 1:56–57; Saints, 1:31–32

Joseph and Emma talking together outside Emma’s home. Emma’s parents are in the doorway.

Joseph and Emma got to know each other. They liked being together. But Emma’s parents did not like Joseph. They didn’t believe he had seen an angel.

Saints, 1:32–33

Emma and Joseph Smith riding together in a horse-drawn sleigh.

About a year later, Joseph asked Emma to marry him. Emma and Joseph loved each other. They got married and went to live with Joseph’s parents in New York.

Joseph Smith—History 1:57–58; Saints, 1:34–35

Emma and Joseph Smith riding a horse-drawn carriage into the woods.

Four years had passed since Moroni told Joseph about the gold plates. When it was time, Emma and Joseph went to the hill where the plates were hidden.

Joseph Smith—History 1:59; Saints, 1:36–37

Moroni gives the gold plates to Joseph Smith.

The angel Moroni met Joseph on the hill and gave him the plates. He told Joseph that if he did his best to take care of the plates, they would be safe.

Joseph Smith—History 1:59; Saints, 1:37–38

Joseph Smith carrying the gold plates. A man is chasing him and trying to get the plates.

People had heard that Joseph had the gold plates, and some of them tried to steal the plates from him. Joseph had to find places to hide them. While Joseph was carrying the plates from a hiding place in the woods, some men attacked him. He knocked them down and ran to his parents’ home.

Joseph Smith—History 1:60; Saints, 1:38, 40–41

Joseph Smith brings the gold plates home and lets his family touch the plates.

When Joseph brought the plates home, his sister helped him set them on the table. Moroni had told Joseph not to let anyone see the plates, but his family could feel the plates while they were wrapped in a cloth.

Saints, 1:41

God wanted Joseph to translate the gold plates so people could read them. But people in New York kept trying to steal the plates. Joseph had to keep hiding the plates to keep them safe. So Joseph and Emma moved to a home close to Emma’s parents. They hoped they could translate the plates in peace.

Joseph Smith—History 1:61–62; Saints, 1:43, 45–46

Joseph Smith kissing Emma on the forehead. She is helping him to translate from the gold plates.

Joseph began translating the plates. He used special tools that God prepared to help him. As Joseph translated, Emma wrote down what he said. Hour after hour they worked together. Emma was amazed. She knew her husband was translating by the power of God.

Joseph Smith—History 1:35; Saints, 1:49