| 267 of the minutes on the grounds that they were incorrect in several particulars.
On April 22, Elder Joseph Dewsnup wrote from Manchester, England, where the late revolt from Brighamite rule took place, as follows:
We held our district conference here in Manchester on the 13th of April, and we had a glorious time together, the Spirit's power was much felt, and the Saints were strengthened for present as well as future warfare.
On April 30, 1879, at Nauvoo, Illinois, Mrs. Emma Smith Bidamon died. She was one of the most remarkable characters connected with the history of the latter-day work. It is not too much to say that her influence upon husband and sons had much to do with shaping the destiny of the church both during her husband's administration, and in the Reorganization, and as it was said of one of old time she "being dead yet speaketh." That she was highly respected is evident from testimonies left on record. (See volume 1, pages 120 to 122.) She was also loved and honored by the Reorganization; but, as might have been supposed, those against whose acts she ever protested sought to throw discredit upon her reputation.
Soon after the death of her husband a report was circulated that she had renounced the faith her husband taught, and had expressed lack of confidence in his claims. The New York Sun for December 9, 1845, contained a letter over her signature giving expression to these doubts. She promptly wrote the following reply and forwarded it to the Sun:
NAUVOO, December 30, 1845.
To the Editor of the New York Sun; Sir: I wish to inform you, and the public through your paper, that the letter published Tuesday morning, December 9, is a forgery, the whole of it, and I hope that this notice will put a stop to all such communications.
EMMA SMITH.
Whether this was published in the Sun or not we do not know; but it was published in Times and Seasons for January 15, 1846. (See volume 6, page 1096.)
That she was loved and trusted by her neighbors who had known her long, and amid the most trying scenes of her
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