Three (1808)own choice concerning what would make him happy, he volunteered to take part in what
Christ would require of his true messengers. These would be sent among the inhabitants of
earth during the mortal stage of development of all children in the same “batch” under the
auspices of the same Father. Prior to mortality, they were motivated to volunteer for the roles
that they would have during mortality because of their close associations with our Christ. It’s not
a matter of being special or better than any other human being.^48 It’s simply a matter of logistics,
personal awareness associated with their humanity type, and most importantly, free will.
Likewise during his mortal life, Joseph was also surrounded by those friends and
family whom the advanced humans overseeing his mission knew were needed in order to
prepare and support him to perform his role. Each of these is mentioned briefly throughout
this biography. As this biography is not about them personally, the most important aspect
of their mention concerns why they were meant to be where they were, at the specified time
that they were each in Joseph’s life.
Joseph Sr.’s Business and Farming
During this time in Joseph’s life, his father proved he had no expertise in business or
farming. Joseph Smith, Sr. kept enough food on the table to feed his family. Other than their
basic necessities, the elder Joseph provided them very little. An account of his business and
farming misadventures are not relevant to this biography. Suffice it to say, Joseph was
raised in poverty, but never in neglect. Even when his father was gone away from home for
long periods of time, Lucy Smith was too proud and stubborn to let her family starve. (At
one time she provided income for the family by “painting oilcloth coverings for tables,
stands, etc.”^49 ) Without Lucy, Joseph Sr. could have never provided sufficiently for his
growing family. Without reservation, Lucy Mack was the backbone of the family.
Because of Lucy’s determination and equality in relation to his father, Joseph learned
to respect women. This foundation and upbringing allowed him to become a strong
proponent for women’s rights in a world that was run by power-hungry men. This respect
for women’s rights eventually involved Joseph in the introduction of “spiritual wifery,” and
then, unfortunately, caused him to have to confront the abuse related to the practice of
polygamy—two completely different concepts, both in principle and in fact.^50
NOTES
(^1) DHC, 6:626.
(^2) Contrast DHC, 6:626, which errantly reports, “About 8 a.m. Dr. Richards started for Nauvoo
with the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum on two wagons, accompanied by their brother Samuel H.
Smith, Mr. Hamilton and a guard of eight soldiers who had been detached for that purpose by
General Deming. The bodies were covered with bushes to keep them from the hot sun.”
(^3) “He never recovered from the violent chase from his would-be murderers, complaining
afterward of an intense pain in his side. He soon became fatally ill, passing away July 13, 1844, less
than a month after the burial of his martyred brothers.” E. Cecil McGavin, The Family of Joseph Smith