One of the better known stories in Church history is the simultaneous birth of twins in the homes of Joseph and Emma Smith and John and Julia Clapp Murdock on 30 April 1831. After the death of both Smith twins and of Julia Clapp Murdock (from complications while giving birth), Joseph and Emma adopted the Murdock twins. After the infamous mob attack which left Joseph Smith tarred and feathered, one of the twins, Joseph Murdock Smith, died, leaving Julia as the only survivor of the four twins. This paper presents details of Julia’s life that are not widely known or understood.

S. Reed Murdock