The Prophet's Wife: A Novel of an American Faith

Written by Libbie Grant

Narrated by Sophie Amoss

A lyrical novel exploring the origins of the Mormon faith, RECOMMENDED by the New York Times Book Review.

“Superb… a first-rate historical novel” – The Denver Post

“A masterpiece … perfect for fans of Hilary Mantel and Geraldine Brooks” – Kris Waldherr, author of The Lost History of Dreams

In 1825, in rural Pennsylvania, Emma Hale marries an itinerant treasure-digger, a man who has nothing but a peep-stone in his pocket and a conviction that he can speak directly to God. His name is Joseph Smith and in a few short years, he will found his own religion, gather zealous adherents by the tens of thousands, and fracture Emma’s life and faith. 

While the Mormon religion finds its feet and runs beyond the grasp of its founder, Emma struggles to maintain her place in Joseph’s heart—and in the religion that has become her world. The Mormons make themselves outcasts everywhere they go. Joseph can only maintain his authority by issuing ever-stranger commandments on God’s behalf, culminating in an edict that men should marry as many women as they please. The Mormons’ adoption of polygamy only sets them further apart, and soon their communities are ravaged by violence at the hands of their outraged fellow Americans. For Emma, things take a more personal toll as Joseph brings in a new wife—a woman whom Emma considers a sister.

Emma knows there will never be peace until Joseph faces the law. But on the half-wild edge of the frontier, he’s more likely to find death at the hands of a vigilante posse than a fair trial. For the sake of her people—and her soul—Emma must convince the Prophet of God to surrender... and perhaps to sacrifice his life. 

“Probes the emotional maelstrom” – The New York Times Book Review

“Fascinating … one of the most interesting and nuanced portrayals of a marriage I’ve read in a very long time … Brilliant.” – Allison Epstein, author of A Tip for the Hangman

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Mar 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9780063070639

Libbie Grant

Libbie Grant has been passionate about American history—especially the early days of the Mormon Church—from a young age. She was raised in the Latter-day Saint faith and has deep roots in Mormon culture, though she is no longer a practicing member. Under her pen name, Olivia Hawker, she is a Washington Post bestselling author and a finalist for the Washington State Book Award and the WILLA Literary Award for Historical Fiction. She lives in the San Juan Islands with her husband, Paul.

Reviews for The Prophet's Wife

[hobbitprincess · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel is about Emma Smith, the wife of Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The book is certainly based on a lot of research, and what I read goes along with what I read in my own online research. Joseph is portrayed as someone who wants to be a leader and who does have faith in God, but even his wife Emma is not sure about whether there are really golden pages that exist. Even though she assists with the translation, she never sees the plates at all. She supports her husband, however, even when he crosses into the realm of plural marriages, although she struggles with that. He apparently recanted on this practice on his deathbed. I learned a great deal about the violence associated with the founding of the LDS church and how they were so persecuted for years until they moved out of the then-USA into Utah. It was interesting to read about these violent episodes from some trustworthy internet sources. This book does not do much for the LDS church, however, leaving the reader to think that Joseph Smith was seeing things and that Brigham Young was a self-centered obnoxious power-hungry man who took over after Smith was killed. If you read it, I encourage you to do your own research and make your own decisions about what you read.

[maryreinert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fascinating account of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Church, and his wife Emma. I learned so much about the Latter Day Saints as the author obviously did much research and is very knowledgeable about that faith.Joseph Smith apparently found plates of gold that he transcribed into the Book of Mormon. The beliefs of the church were so strange to the "Gentiles" and the Mormons called non-Mormons that there was much violence in chasing them from one place to another. The Mormon Wars in Missouri were especially violent.Emma Smith is vividly portrayed as a woman whose marriage was almost on a whim; however, she took her vows seriously and stood behind Joseph through many hardships including his relationship with other women. The idea of polygyny was called the Blessing of Jacob - the men in the Old Testament had multiple wives and Smith believed that the Mormons should go back to the old ways (sometimes it seemed more like lust). Brigham Young is a young leader who often opposes Joseph and a man who Emma greatly distrusts. The entire story is set in the midwest well before Young took the group to Utah. Very interesting read.