Lucy Mack
Smith
The mother of prophet is known is perhaps best known for having written a history of Joseph Smith and his progenitors. But did you know that Lucy was often in the habit of praying in the woods? Did you know that she smoked a pipe and read people's palms? Did you know that, due to her husbands poor behavior, Lucy was often concerned about finances?
Lucy Mack Smith
History
"The book, Joseph Smith the Prophet, was first published in England in 1853 by the Mormon Apostle Orson Pratt. The Church newspaper (Deseret News) recommended that this book "should be possessed by all saints who feel in the least degree interested with the history of the latter day work." In 1865, however, it was "disapproved" by Brigham Young, and the "edition was suppressed or destroyed." Brigham Young then had the book "revised." In 1901 a falsified reprint was made by the Church, and it has been reprinted at least twice since that time.
-Taken from the Photo Reprint of the Original 1853 Edition curtesy of Jerald and Sandra Tanner
Original
(page 54)
"...when this came to the ears of his father and oldest brother, they were so displeased,..."
Reprint
(page 43)
"...when this came to the ears of his oldest brother, he was do displeased..."
Original
(pages 73-74)
"I shall here insert the seventh and last vision that my husband had, ..."
Reprint
(page 68)
I shall here insert the seventh vision that my husband had...."
Original
(page 76)
"...I asked the personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right -for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong -and which I should join."
Reprint
(page 71)
"...I asked the personages who stood above me in the light which of all the sects was right -and which I should join."
Original
(page 77)
"...I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. Some few days after..."
Reprint
(page 72)
"...I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed I had no strength, but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, "Never mind, all is well - I am well enough off." I then said to my mother, "I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true." It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom: else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy? Some few days after..."
Original
(page 78)
"...I saw two personages, and they did in reality speak unto me, or one of them did; and though I was hated..."
Reprint
(page 74)
"...I saw two personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated..."
Original
(page 78)
"...he suffered, as one would naturally suppose, every kind of opposition and persecution from the different orders of religionists."
Reprint
(page 74)
"...he suffered every kind of opposition and persecution from the different orders of religionists."
Did Lucy smoke a pipe?
Well, according to Thomas Gregg, she did. In his book published in 1890, he tells a story in which Lucy smokes as if it were an common, everyday occurance.
The Prophet of Palmyra
1890
“The tallow dip shortened at such a fearful rate that the further reading had to be abandoned. It was now past ten, and the other members of the family retired. The MS. was carefully put away, and directions given as to where we were to sleep. In the mean time Mother Smith loaded a clay pipe with tobacco, which she ground up in her hands; a broom splint was lighted in the candle, and the delicious fumes issued in clouds from the old lady’s mouth.
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