The Prophet’s Wife: A Novel of an American Faith
If you know as little as I do about the Mormon religion, this book will at times read like a fantasy novel. The history is astounding and sometimes horrifying, but Grant’s gorgeous writing will keep readers enthralled throughout.
Grant sets the birth and growth of Mormonism in the context of a hyper-religious century in America. In 1825 Emma Hale, unmarried and worried she might remain that way forever, meets Joseph Smith, a charismatic young man with a belief system grounded in his mother’s old European superstitions. Emma is entranced and marries him in spite of her family’s objections. Once he discovers some “golden plates” buried in a mysterious earthen mound, he is off and running, creating a new religion based on his own prophecies. Receptive followers of this offbeat religion willingly migrate with Joseph and Emma to points west, but they always get into trouble with their neighbors. In fact, a “war” erupts with the Gentiles in Missouri, resulting in the deaths of numerous Mormons—tragedies easily avoided were it not for the patriarchal hubris of the Mormon leadership. Most of us associate Mormonism with polygamy, but that decree only arrives later in their marriage at a time when Joseph—who has always craved adoration—happens to be surrounded by young vulnerable women. Conveniently, God commands him to marry as many of them as he likes, much to Emma’s dismay.
The Prophet’s Wife is a powerful, mesmerizing novel. In the figure of Emma Hale Smith, Grant has created a fully realized woman of intelligence, integrity, complexity, strength, and a deep and abiding faith in God. Emma acts as Joseph’s support but also as his conscience. While the follies depicted in the story are almost two centuries past, blind allegiance to charismatic narcissists still wreaks havoc today. I predict this will be a popular and influential book.
