Love Letters of Joseph and Emma

By: Angela Eschler

Published by Covenant Communications (2008)

I needed to tell everyone about a beautiful new book written by a friend of mine, Angela Eschler. This book is a very moving and inspiring book about the personal correspondence between the Prophet Joseph and his beloved wife, Emma. The illustrations are done by the amazing artist Liz Lemon Swindle. The pictures in this book are some of my favorites done of Joseph and Emma.

The chapter titles give you a brief glimpse at the heartfelt letters that were written back and forth between this great prophet and his faithful wife. The titles are Love and Devotion, Sorrow and Separation, Consolation and Companionship, Faith and Adversity, and Reunion and Peace. This is a short, but heart wrenching read, as Angela covers the span of their 17 year marriage through the happiness and many sorrows that accompanied their lives.

At a recent book signing, Angela told us that the front and back inside covers are her favorite part. She was able to go and view the actual letters of Joseph and Emma. They were given permission to copy the letters and use them on the inside covers of the book. I also loved being able to view the actual handwriting of the Prophet Joseph and Emma.

Angela uses many quotes and scriptures as she recounts many of the trials that decorated Joseph and Emma's lives and how they were strengthened by Heavenly Father to endure the trials and tribulations. One quote that inspired me was about Emma, written by her mother in law, Lucy Mack Smith in The History of Joseph Smith by his Mother, "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 [Emma] has ever done....It may be that many may have to encounter the same...May they have grace given to them according to their day, even as has been the case with her." These are truely words that all women need to hear in these last days as we work valiantly to raise our own children and endure our own difficulties.

Thank you Angela and Liz for giving the world such a lovely glimpse of such a devoted couple who showed the world, that despite hardships and sorrows, their eternal love stayed strong.