Lessons from the Doctrine and Covenants 2025
Lesson No. Eleven

Emma Smith, Sacred Hymns, and Women in the Restored Church - D&C 25

The Prophet Joseph loved his wife Emma – He is reported to have said “If you want to be my friend you must speak well of Emma.” I want to be a friend of the Prophet, and I find it comfortable and easy to think and speak well of Emma Hale Smith.

Lucy Mack Smith, who knew and loved her daughter-in-law, gave Emma a remarkable compliment – Lucy wrote: “I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she has ever done; for I know that which she has had to endure…she has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would have borne down almost any other woman” (History of Joseph Smith, pp. 190-91).

Emma was an elect lady whose sins were forgiven – Speaking to Emma the Lord said: “Behold, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou art an elect lady, whom I have called” (D&C 25:3). Most women who worship regularly in the temple qualify as an elect lady who the Lord has called. Those who are familiar with the temple know that a majority of temple work is done by women, both as patrons and workers, on behalf of women. Because of their nature and gifts righteous women are favored of the Lord, and they often experience a remission of their sins sooner and easier than most men.

Emma selected 90 hymns for our first Hymn Book – In July 1830, three months after the Church was organized, the Lord, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, instructed Joseph’s wife, Emma, to make a selection of sacred hymns for the Church. This Hymn Book was published in 1835. Today, some of these hymns are among our favorites. These include “The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning,” “I Know that My Redeemer Lives,” “Redeemer of Israel,” and “How Firm a Foundation.”

The 1985 Hymn Book – This hymn book has blessed my life for 35 years. When I began my service as the president of the Kentucky Louisville Mission in 1990 a gifted missionary recorded this Hymn Book and the Children’s Song Book on floppy disks that we played frequently on a digital keyboard. Now these hymns are on the Church website and can be played on smart phones. I have experienced the truth of what the First Presidency wrote in the Preface to the 1985 Hymn Book:

- “Music in Our Church Meetings: Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end.”

- “Music in Our Homes: Music has boundless powers for moving families toward greater spirituality and devotion to the gospel. Latter-day Saints should fill their home with the sound of worthy music.”

- “Music in Our Personal Lives: Hymns can lift our spirits, give us courage, and move us to righteous action. They can fill our souls with heavenly thoughts and bring us a spirit of peace. Hymns can also help us withstand the temptations of the adversary. We encourage you to memorize your favorite hymns and study the scriptures that relate to them. Then, if unworthy thoughts inter your mind, sing a hymn to yourself, crowding out the evil with the good.”

“Hymns – For Home and Church” is an inspired new Hymn Book for a world-wide Church – To date 37 new hymns that can be sung at home or at Church have been released. These hymns are also on the Church website and can be played on smart phones. In “About the Hymns” in the Gospel Library on the Church website each hymn has a chapter which gives the background of the hymn as well as scriptural references and related study material. This is a wonderful resource.

“For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.”(D&C 25:12) – President Jeffery R. Holland said, “Pray more than you pray.’ However much you’ve prayed, pray more. And in however many places you’ve prayed, pray in more places. However many times during the day you pray, pray more times in the day” (2025 Roots Tech Conference). What a marvelous blessing it is to be able to pray by singing a sacred hymn to ourselves anytime and anywhere, and to have the Lord’s promise that “the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads” (D&C 25:12). Let’s pray more often by singing a hymn.

“This is my voice unto all” (Vs 16) – The Lord concluded to Emma: “Continue in meekness, and beware of pride…Keep my commandments continually, and a crown of righteousness thou shalt receive” (Vs 14-15). In Vs 16 the Lord is peaking to all people, both men and women.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell spoke of the essential role women have in the plan of salvation – This sermon is a masterpieces and can profitable be studied by both genders. Elder Maxwell began:

“We know so little, brothers and sisters, about the reasons for the division of duties between womanhood and manhood as well as between motherhood and priesthood. These were divinely determined in another time and another place. We are accustomed to focusing on the men of God because theirs is the priesthood and leadership line. But paralleling that authority line is a stream of righteous influence reflecting the remarkable women of God who have existed in all ages and dispensations, including our own. Greatness is not measured by coverage in column inches, either in newspapers or in the scriptures. The story of the women of God, therefore, is, for now, an untold drama within a drama.

Elder Maxwell continued: “When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside telestial time. The women of God know this.

Elder Maxwell concluded: “Notice, brethren, how all the prophets treat their wives and honor women, and let us do likewise! Finally, remember: When we return to our real home, it will be with the “mutual approbation” of those who reign in the “royal courts on high.” There we will find beauty such as mortal “eye hath not seen”; we will hear sounds of surpassing music which mortal “ear hath not heard.” Could such a regal homecoming be possible without the anticipatory arrangements of a Heavenly Mother?” (Women of God, Ensign, May 1978, pp. 10-11).

Testimony – I am very blessed to have wonderful women in my life. My wife, daughters, daughters in law, and granddaughters are most remarkable. They bless my life in so many ways. My greatest blessing as temple president was to be sealed to the temple matron. She had the responsibility to work with all sister workers and patrons, and she did it with grace and inspiration. The temple testifies of the equality of men and women now and in the eternities.

Released on March 29th. 2025