Description

Remember, Joseph Smith

Barbara Matilda Neff was born the daughter of John and Mary Neff of Strasburg Pennsylvania. John was a prosperous Miller. About 1841, missionaries came into the Strasburg area. Family records indicate that “The message of eternal families may have touched the heart of the Neff family, whose little Amanda had died at the age of four. John and Mary were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Elder Henry Deem on February 7, 1842.” Barbara was baptized the following September.

The family wanted to emigrate to Nauvoo and join the Saints. In May 1844, they made the journey to purchase property. While there they visited the Prophet Joseph Smith at the Mansion House and heard him preach. Barbara’s father, John and the Prophet Joseph became “fast friends.” Just before they left, Joseph said to John Neff, “I shall not live long.” To which Jon asked, “Brother Joseph, then what shall we do?” “There will be someone in my place,” he is said to have replied. Just six week later, the Prophet Joseph was killed at Carthage Jail.

But before he died and while the Neff family was still there, Barbara asked some of the leading citizens of Nauvoo for their autograph. Among them were William W. Phelps and Joseph Smith the Prophet. In her books, Phelps wrote the following little poem to “Miss B. M. Neff.”

Two things will beautify a youth
That is: Let virtue decorate the truth.
And so you know, every little bit helps
Yours. William W. Phelps

She went next to the Prophet Joseph, who read what Brother Phelps had written and penned the following in response,

The truth and virtue are good
When rightly understood
But Charity is better Miss.
That takes us home to bliss,
And so forthwith
Remember, Joseph Smith.

Please consider the heart of Joseph Smith the man in that little poem. It is a brief revealing glimpse into the soul of the man of God.

Evidently, Barbara clung to truth, virtue, and charity the remainder of her days. She lived true and faithful to the end and passed away May 29, 1890 in Salt Lake City.

Sources:

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KWVL-F5S
https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/overlandtravel/pioneers/1471/barbara-matilda-moses
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/poem-to-barbara-neff-between-circa-6-and-circa-13-may-1844/1#source-note