Lucy Mack Smith's Deathbed Covenant Explained
Explore the poignant promises and blessings Lucy Mack Smith imparted to her family at the end of her life, and why they continue to resonate within Latter-day Saint history.
- Lucy Mack Smith's deathbed covenant was her final request to her surviving children in 1856.
- She asked them to remain faithful to the gospel principles and honor the legacy of her son, Joseph Smith Jr.
- This moment underscores her enduring faith and concern for her family's spiritual unity amidst early church divisions.
- It holds particular significance for the Community of Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Lucy Mack Smith's deathbed covenant refers to the solemn requests and blessings she made to her surviving children and grandchildren shortly before her passing in 1856. It was a heartfelt plea for them to remain faithful to the principles of the gospel and to honor the spiritual legacy of her son, Joseph Smith Jr., the founder of the Latter-day Saint movement.
- By 1856, the Latter-day Saint movement was deeply divided. Brigham Young had led the majority of members west to Utah, while Emma Smith (Joseph's widow) and her children, along with others, remained in Nauvoo, Illinois. Lucy Mack Smith, despite her advanced age and many losses, lived out her final years in Nauvoo with Emma.
A Mother's Final Plea
Gathered with her children, including Emma Smith Bidamon, Julia Murdock Smith Dixon, and Joseph Smith III, in her Nauvoo home, Lucy Mack Smith delivered what her family understood as her final charge. Having experienced immense hardship, persecution, and the deaths of nearly all her children and her husband, her primary concern was the spiritual well-being and unity of her remaining family. She reportedly expressed a fervent desire for them to live righteously and uphold the teachings they had embraced.
The Nature of the Promise
While the exact wording varies slightly in different accounts, the core of Lucy's covenant was a request for faithfulness. She implored her children to remember the sacrifices made, to cleave to the gospel's principles, and to not abandon the spiritual heritage of Joseph Smith Jr. For her, this meant maintaining a commitment to their shared faith, even as the larger church fragmented. Some interpretations suggest she also referenced the “new and everlasting covenant,” which in Latter-day Saint theology can refer to temple ordinances and eternal marriage. However, within the context of her children who largely did not follow the Utah-bound church, this was often understood more broadly as a commitment to the foundational spiritual principles and family ties.
Why It Matters
Lucy Mack Smith's deathbed covenant is a profoundly significant moment in Latter-day Saint history. It highlights the unwavering faith of a foundational matriarch and her enduring hope for her family's spiritual future, even in the face of profound personal loss and widespread church division. For members of the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), this covenant is particularly meaningful. It is often cited as a spiritual endorsement for Joseph Smith III to eventually lead that tradition, emphasizing the continuation of the Smith family's prophetic lineage. For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it stands as a testament to Lucy's deep spiritual convictions and her desire for her descendants to ultimately embrace all aspects of the restored gospel.
Sources
- Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's History by Lavina Fielding Anderson and Richard P. Howard
- History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, Lucy Mack Smith
