At age twenty, Joseph met and fell in love with Emma Hale, a tall attractive woman, described as having bewitching dark eyes and raven like hair. The two were soon married and enjoyed a love-story common to many of that era. However, the day to day blossoming of their romance was often interrupted due to the parameters of his prophetic life, both revered and persecuted as he was. Nevertheless, Emma was a faithful and unwavering companion. This elect lady, this cherished wife of Joseph’s youth to whom he was powerfully devoted, would go on to bare him nine children, and through adoption be mother to two more. And yet, an all too often partner to sorrow, she would only see five of the eleven live past childhood. In later years, Joseph would describe her as, “my beloved Emma…the choice of my heart…the many scenes we had been called to pass through, the fatigues and toils, the sorrows and sufferings, and the joys and consolations, from time to time, which had strewed our paths….again she is here, even in the seventh trouble—undaunted, firm, and unwavering—unchangeable, affectionate Emma!” (History of the Church, Vol. 5, p. 107)