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Revised and Enhanced History of Joseph Smith by His Mother
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506 pages, Hardcover
Published August 1, 1996
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About the author
Lucy Mack Smith
26 books8 followersLucy Mack Smith was the mother of Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She is most noted for writing an award-winning memoir: Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and His Progenitors for Many Generations. She was an important leader of the movement during the life of Joseph.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
February 20, 2008
Okay, can I just say that I ROCK for finishing this book? It took a lot of perseverence, lemme tell ya.
I picked it up at the library last November or so. “Hey,” I thought to myself. “This would be a good thing to read right now, with all the celebrations of Joseph Smith going on for the 200th anniversary of his birth.” (Remember that? Yeah, it was kind of awhile ago.)
Despite my slow-going approach to reading the book, it was interesting and, for the most part, very readable.
Mother Smith includes lots of things I had heard before through the scriptures (or through The Work and the Glory ;-)), but there’s plenty of interesting tidbits and facts about the Smith family that I learned. I had heard that Alvin, Joseph’s older brother, had died before the church was restored (but after the First Vision), but I had never heard why — he had some minor ailment and an inexperienced doctor gave him something that more or less poisoned him.
It was inspiring to read about Mother Smith, who despite the many trials she faced, remained firm in her faith. Even in her younger years, she lost her sisters; she had stillborn children and babies who only lived a few weeks; her children became sick with typhoid fever (prompting the problems with Joseph’s leg when he was young); her family underwent financial hardship after financial hardship; and her son’s life was sought after even before he had his Vision (and, of course, many times afterwards). Her husband and sons were imprisoned many times and she lost numerous grandchildren. After arriving in Nauvoo, Mother Smith lost a husband, four sons, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren in the course of just a few years. You cannot help but ache with gratitude for this woman’s strength.
The editors of this volume did a nice job with the book, too. There were tons of endnotes which helped place events in context. By reading the notes, I felt like I was getting a better-rounded picture of Church History. I especially appreciated their work on the “characters” of the book. For every figure in Church History mentioned in the book, they included a biographical sketch of that person in the endnotes, including things like when and where they had joined the Church, important events surrounding their service in the Church, and what happened to them following that point in Mother Smith’s story (apostasy, continued service in the Church, martyrdom, etc.) It was a great book to learn more about Church History in just one volume.
This book was long and a little tedious at times — but it was valuable reading.
I picked it up at the library last November or so. “Hey,” I thought to myself. “This would be a good thing to read right now, with all the celebrations of Joseph Smith going on for the 200th anniversary of his birth.” (Remember that? Yeah, it was kind of awhile ago.)
Despite my slow-going approach to reading the book, it was interesting and, for the most part, very readable.
Mother Smith includes lots of things I had heard before through the scriptures (or through The Work and the Glory ;-)), but there’s plenty of interesting tidbits and facts about the Smith family that I learned. I had heard that Alvin, Joseph’s older brother, had died before the church was restored (but after the First Vision), but I had never heard why — he had some minor ailment and an inexperienced doctor gave him something that more or less poisoned him.
It was inspiring to read about Mother Smith, who despite the many trials she faced, remained firm in her faith. Even in her younger years, she lost her sisters; she had stillborn children and babies who only lived a few weeks; her children became sick with typhoid fever (prompting the problems with Joseph’s leg when he was young); her family underwent financial hardship after financial hardship; and her son’s life was sought after even before he had his Vision (and, of course, many times afterwards). Her husband and sons were imprisoned many times and she lost numerous grandchildren. After arriving in Nauvoo, Mother Smith lost a husband, four sons, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren in the course of just a few years. You cannot help but ache with gratitude for this woman’s strength.
The editors of this volume did a nice job with the book, too. There were tons of endnotes which helped place events in context. By reading the notes, I felt like I was getting a better-rounded picture of Church History. I especially appreciated their work on the “characters” of the book. For every figure in Church History mentioned in the book, they included a biographical sketch of that person in the endnotes, including things like when and where they had joined the Church, important events surrounding their service in the Church, and what happened to them following that point in Mother Smith’s story (apostasy, continued service in the Church, martyrdom, etc.) It was a great book to learn more about Church History in just one volume.
This book was long and a little tedious at times — but it was valuable reading.
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April 12, 20202020 Popsugar Challenge - A book with a main character in their 20s (This covers his entire life, but half of the book he is in his 20s so I'm counting it.
July 21, 2008
Mother Smith's memoirs have been essential reading for LDS members for over a century. In this edition the editors have utilized an original manuscript neglected by previous editors to bring her narration more into line with her own dictation. Lucy Mack Smith's voice clearly comes through, and the work is well annotated with chapter notes.
If you want to learn about the religious atmosphere in early to mid nineteenth century America, then you should put down the textbook. Lay aside the secondary scholarship by professional historian and enthusiast alike and, instead, pick up this primary document written by a woman living in the midst of the fray. Her principle aim is neither hagiographical, nor a "warts and all" approach of Joseph Smith, Jr. In fact, although Joseph features prominently in the book, it isn't fully about him. Rather, Mother Smith's aim seems to be, first and foremost, to relate the trials that the world heaped upon her family as a result of their desire to obey God's commands. Her disdain for the dishonest and treacherous is plainly manifest.
In her effort to show how the world had treated her family poorly, hidden nuggets of truth can be discerned. For instance, between pp.88 and 133, Mother Smith relates how she and her husband were swindled out of their property several times. Her words make it clear that she wishes to place the blame on unscrupulous businessmen, eager to take advantage of her poor family. No doubt there is a large element of truth in this. However, to be fair, through the eyes of a historian, it seems equally probable that, combined with others' unethical practices, Joseph Smith Sr. was more than a tad naive in matters of business, and had to learn by hard life-experience the necessity of written, signed and notarized contracts.
The target audience of this edition is, undoubtedly, the membership of the LDS church, to be used as a devotional supplement to scripture. The editors (Scot and Maurine Proctor) are a husband and wife team that also teach institute, part time. In spite of this targeting, their introduction offers an insightful analysis of the history of Mother Smith's narrative that is relatively free of bias. It is accessible for both members and non-members of the LDS church, and great insight and historical value will be gleaned by all. For me, however, the highlight of this work was not simply reading Lucy’s own words, but the chapter notes. These notes are well researched, precisely cited, and help flesh out the story that Lucy Mack Smith relates. By mining both the notes and the bibliography, I have a far more complete understanding of the Smith family and this seminal period in American history than I did before.
If you want to learn about the religious atmosphere in early to mid nineteenth century America, then you should put down the textbook. Lay aside the secondary scholarship by professional historian and enthusiast alike and, instead, pick up this primary document written by a woman living in the midst of the fray. Her principle aim is neither hagiographical, nor a "warts and all" approach of Joseph Smith, Jr. In fact, although Joseph features prominently in the book, it isn't fully about him. Rather, Mother Smith's aim seems to be, first and foremost, to relate the trials that the world heaped upon her family as a result of their desire to obey God's commands. Her disdain for the dishonest and treacherous is plainly manifest.
In her effort to show how the world had treated her family poorly, hidden nuggets of truth can be discerned. For instance, between pp.88 and 133, Mother Smith relates how she and her husband were swindled out of their property several times. Her words make it clear that she wishes to place the blame on unscrupulous businessmen, eager to take advantage of her poor family. No doubt there is a large element of truth in this. However, to be fair, through the eyes of a historian, it seems equally probable that, combined with others' unethical practices, Joseph Smith Sr. was more than a tad naive in matters of business, and had to learn by hard life-experience the necessity of written, signed and notarized contracts.
The target audience of this edition is, undoubtedly, the membership of the LDS church, to be used as a devotional supplement to scripture. The editors (Scot and Maurine Proctor) are a husband and wife team that also teach institute, part time. In spite of this targeting, their introduction offers an insightful analysis of the history of Mother Smith's narrative that is relatively free of bias. It is accessible for both members and non-members of the LDS church, and great insight and historical value will be gleaned by all. For me, however, the highlight of this work was not simply reading Lucy’s own words, but the chapter notes. These notes are well researched, precisely cited, and help flesh out the story that Lucy Mack Smith relates. By mining both the notes and the bibliography, I have a far more complete understanding of the Smith family and this seminal period in American history than I did before.
November 2, 2018
I've read many books about the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but this one is unique. Written by the Mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith, it is so personal, and SO heart wrenching. The Smith family gave everything they had, even their lives, to build the Church we know and love today. Reading this story from the perspective of a mother was particularly poignant... I can't imagine that kind of sacrifice. I've always been grateful to Joseph Smith for restoring the Gospel... after reading this history, I'm also grateful for his angel mother.
February 11, 2008
Loved it Loved it Loved it. Awesome first person accounts of many of the times in the Prophet's life.
September 29, 2024
So much good insight in this book about the raw moments in Joseph Smith’s and the Smith family’s history that I felt was really honest and eye-opening. I was especially moved by Hyrum Smith’s affidavit he wrote to the court on the atrocities committed against the Saints in Missouri. He goes into detail, and my political science brain hearkens to the fact that today those same exact acts committed against the Saints would be categorized by the International Criminal Court as “atrocity crimes”. They were in every sense of the word “crimes against humanity” in today’s vernacular, and an attempted genocide (sanctioned by the State of Missouri, no less). I don’t think we talk in enough detail about the ugly things that really happened to the Saints in Missouri and the Smith family. I also think that it would be more appropriate to use correct ICC legal language around what happened.
July 24, 2025
This is the third book on the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that I have read this year. I enjoyed this one the most because the personality of Mother Smith shines through her words. How cool it would be to sit at her feet and hear her stories and testimony in person. She endured many hardships and yet remained kind, helpful to others and true to her beliefs.
Years ago, I read the original story and liked it too. However, The editors (Scot and Maurine Proctor) provide an insightful introduction to Mother Smith's narrative that is quite free of bias. The chapter notes provided additional information and were well researched and add to the story that Lucy Mack Smith relates.
Years ago, I read the original story and liked it too. However, The editors (Scot and Maurine Proctor) provide an insightful introduction to Mother Smith's narrative that is quite free of bias. The chapter notes provided additional information and were well researched and add to the story that Lucy Mack Smith relates.
August 14, 2023
A very interesting church history book. It was really interesting reading the account of so many early accounts in church history in the words of Lucy Mack Smith. There are some interesting details in her account I haven't read elsewhere. I enjoyed reading the book. It was a helpful addition to my self-education in church history.
December 30, 2021
Lucy Mack Smith’s detailed accounts are a must-read, and a sad look at a government (in a land boasting freedom of worship) that did nothing to stop the unwarranted destruction of the members of a Christian religion. But mobs didn’t hold sway for long, and it’s still a growing worldwide religion.
December 1, 2025
This is one of my favorite books. It's more about Joseph Smith's mother than it is about him. She's a spunky and brave woman. She shared her testimony valiantly. I loved reading about her.
November 12, 2020
If you want to read a book on early church history, and Joseph smith I can’t help but think this is NOT the book to read. Which sounds crazy, because shouldn’t Lucy Smith know Joseph better than anyone? She probably does yes. But unfortunately she doesn’t talk much about the kind of person Joseph was, she just gives a rough history of his and the church’s life. And it’s a history that I’ve found could be, and has been told much better.
Imagine if your mother wrote your autobiography... it would be pretty great... up until you turned 18 and left the house... than it would get a bit spotty. That’s how I feel about this book. I don’t even know how it can be called the history of Joseph Smith, because for a large majority of the book his history is just briefly skimmed over. Simply because Lucy WASNT THERE. Joe has grown up! Left the hous! Got married!
What would be great would be a history of Joesph Smith from his wife Emma. That would be great! She probably knew more of his later life than his mother did. No offense Lucy.
And maybe I’m wrong too....
Not only is it merely a rough skimming of the history, but it is deaaaathly boring. Keep in mind this was written in the 1800s, so there was no drive to entertain or to put your story in a fun detailed vivid way. Lucy was merely trying to tell the story. And that’s what it felt like. Like I just sat down with a gramma for 20 hours and she recounted her life story.
Mind you it wasn’t bad. But I think the saints books cover the history better... I can’t see anything to gain from this.
AND ALSO WHY IS THE MAJORITY OF THE HISTORY IN THE END FOOT NOTES?!?! I DONT CARE TO KEEP FLIPPING BACK TO THE END OF THE CHAPTER TO RETRIEVE ANY SUBSTANCE!!! and so I mostly didn’t read the end notes... and maybe that’s why I didn’t like this book. But man oh man did that frustrate me!
First 150 pages were great!
Imagine if your mother wrote your autobiography... it would be pretty great... up until you turned 18 and left the house... than it would get a bit spotty. That’s how I feel about this book. I don’t even know how it can be called the history of Joseph Smith, because for a large majority of the book his history is just briefly skimmed over. Simply because Lucy WASNT THERE. Joe has grown up! Left the hous! Got married!
What would be great would be a history of Joesph Smith from his wife Emma. That would be great! She probably knew more of his later life than his mother did. No offense Lucy.
And maybe I’m wrong too....
Not only is it merely a rough skimming of the history, but it is deaaaathly boring. Keep in mind this was written in the 1800s, so there was no drive to entertain or to put your story in a fun detailed vivid way. Lucy was merely trying to tell the story. And that’s what it felt like. Like I just sat down with a gramma for 20 hours and she recounted her life story.
Mind you it wasn’t bad. But I think the saints books cover the history better... I can’t see anything to gain from this.
AND ALSO WHY IS THE MAJORITY OF THE HISTORY IN THE END FOOT NOTES?!?! I DONT CARE TO KEEP FLIPPING BACK TO THE END OF THE CHAPTER TO RETRIEVE ANY SUBSTANCE!!! and so I mostly didn’t read the end notes... and maybe that’s why I didn’t like this book. But man oh man did that frustrate me!
First 150 pages were great!
April 9, 2011
Amazing. I took one of the very best Church History courses at BYU, by Susan Easton Black, and I fell in love with Church History. I love to learn more and I love to study it.
This book, written as a narration by Lucy Mack Smith (mother of Joseph Smith) is a remarkable record. There are so many interesting details about the heritage of the Smith family and the Mack family, and it really brings the events of the restoration into perspective. Reading about the life of the prophet and the Smith family has deepened my love and respect for them. My admiration for my own ancestors and others who I know persevered through the difficult early years of the church has grown immensely. Also, my testimony that Joseph Smith was a true and inspired prophet of God has strengthened even more. The Smith family endured more hardship and sorrow than any other family I know of and yet they were stalwart and determined and joyful in the gospel truth.
Everyone should read this book, especially if you have ancestors that lived among the early saints. You will understand better the attitudes of the day and the hardships those people faced and it will move you. I plan to read this book every few years to impress more strongly in my mind the events of the restoration and renew my admiration and love for the early saints who stayed true to the prophet Joseph Smith.
This book, written as a narration by Lucy Mack Smith (mother of Joseph Smith) is a remarkable record. There are so many interesting details about the heritage of the Smith family and the Mack family, and it really brings the events of the restoration into perspective. Reading about the life of the prophet and the Smith family has deepened my love and respect for them. My admiration for my own ancestors and others who I know persevered through the difficult early years of the church has grown immensely. Also, my testimony that Joseph Smith was a true and inspired prophet of God has strengthened even more. The Smith family endured more hardship and sorrow than any other family I know of and yet they were stalwart and determined and joyful in the gospel truth.
Everyone should read this book, especially if you have ancestors that lived among the early saints. You will understand better the attitudes of the day and the hardships those people faced and it will move you. I plan to read this book every few years to impress more strongly in my mind the events of the restoration and renew my admiration and love for the early saints who stayed true to the prophet Joseph Smith.
May 20, 2020
I read this book many, many years ago when I first became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. I just concluded another read of this tremendously sad book, and this version is delightfully replete with end notes. Sad because it recounts a story of religious persecution that occurred on American soil in the 1800s. Freedom of religion (no law respecting establishment of religion shall be made, nor any law prohibiting the free exercise thereof) is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution, along with freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition the government for redress. Yet, members of the church were driven, persecuted, and many murdered, for their exercise of these rights. And today, I see persecution of Muslims, openly and aggressively stated. Does it never end? Lucy Smith writes in a fashion suitable to the times in which she lived, which seems to us somewhat stilted, but effective. The restoration of the Gospel in her day is something to be celebrated, but not the story of persecution she relates. A sad book indeed, and a commentary on what evil the human heart is capable of, even here in these United States.
December 18, 2013
If you wanted to learn about someone what is the best source? A distant and removed from time and space, unbiased stranger? An acquaintance with a personal agenda? Or that person's mother?
Probably a mixture of each would give a more balanced viewpoint, but the perspective of a mother is a unique and genuine one, with insights into personality that most others never garner. So in the telling of the life of Joseph Smith, his mother's account is one that deserves approbation.
These are all stories I have known since I was a young child, very few of them were new to me, and I don't doubt their veracity. Despite that, this wasn't an altogether enjoyable read. It often felt like an aged aunt relaying her genealogy and the stories that had been told many times before were being told again; and you just had to sit there and listen to it so you wouldn't offend her.
Still. The life of the Prophet Joseph Smith is remarkable and inspiring. For good and ill his name is known and his efforts to build the Church of Jesus Christ are unparalleled.
Probably a mixture of each would give a more balanced viewpoint, but the perspective of a mother is a unique and genuine one, with insights into personality that most others never garner. So in the telling of the life of Joseph Smith, his mother's account is one that deserves approbation.
These are all stories I have known since I was a young child, very few of them were new to me, and I don't doubt their veracity. Despite that, this wasn't an altogether enjoyable read. It often felt like an aged aunt relaying her genealogy and the stories that had been told many times before were being told again; and you just had to sit there and listen to it so you wouldn't offend her.
Still. The life of the Prophet Joseph Smith is remarkable and inspiring. For good and ill his name is known and his efforts to build the Church of Jesus Christ are unparalleled.
February 9, 2020
Listening to this book was perhaps the only way I would want to read this. The quality of the audio book was good for the most part (Deseret Book audio platform, entitled Bookshelf). But it is because Lucy M. Smith told these stories rather than wrote them that makes the audio version feel like the correct one.
As I am not a scholar I will not go into the history of the printing of this manuscript. You can find good information at BYU Studies Quarterly, Vol 38, 1, 20, January 1, 1999.
But a complete history of the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is incomplete without this manuscript. It should be required reading for any religious person trying to truly understand the varieties of religious experience. It is also a wonderful study on what being persecuted for the cause of Christ looks and feels like.
As I am not a scholar I will not go into the history of the printing of this manuscript. You can find good information at BYU Studies Quarterly, Vol 38, 1, 20, January 1, 1999.
But a complete history of the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is incomplete without this manuscript. It should be required reading for any religious person trying to truly understand the varieties of religious experience. It is also a wonderful study on what being persecuted for the cause of Christ looks and feels like.
January 25, 2010
I first read this book after my family visit Nauvoo, IL in 1947 and purchased an earlier edition at the Joseph Smith Home book store. I was delighted that the Proctors (who publish Meridian Magazine on the internet) had restored many parts which had been edited out. They said they did this after comparing the original manuscript with later editions and later research on Joseph Smith and finding that Joseph's mother remember things very well. Oh, there are a few dates that she may foul up slightly, but overall it is an excellent history. In fact it is almost a full biography of several generations of the Smith and Mack families, which helps set Joseph Smith, Jr, the Prophet, in an historic setting.
August 27, 2011
Interesting book with lots of historical details that tend to get lost with time and overly generalized Sunday school lessons. I liked that it was a first-person account and was detailed in many respects. I didn't like that the main questions I had before reading were not answered: what did Joseph do as a young boy or teenager? What did she think about polygamy? Why didn't she go west with the other saints? What did she think of the offshoot church that grew up with her grandson at the head? All interesting questions that were ignored. .
This is a good version to read because it has restored lines of text that were edited by Brigham Young and some of the early church leaders who felt it needed some cutting. Revision done by my brother in law's step parents, incidentally.
This is a good version to read because it has restored lines of text that were edited by Brigham Young and some of the early church leaders who felt it needed some cutting. Revision done by my brother in law's step parents, incidentally.
September 3, 2016
I read this book to fulfill the goal "read a book you own, but have never read" I bought it this year when on vacation in Palmyra New York, primarily to fulfill this goal. it is always difficult to review a church book. Obviously, i'm a member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints, so i liked the content. For that reason, i pushed through to the finish and enjoyed it too. I however did not care for the writing style. I found it to be somewhat disjointed and choppy. I also don't like having to stop reading and turn to the end notes every time i come across a footnote for a sentence or two of clarifying information. if they are important to the story than find a way to put them in. otherwise just leave them out, in my opinion.
March 27, 2012
I marvel at the sacrifices that have been made to bring forth the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth. I loved reading the history of the LDS Church through the eyes of Lucy Mack Smith, mother of the prophet Joseph Smith. I was able to get a sense of the day-to-day struggles and joys of these early members as well as a detailed history of this time period in early Church history. I wish there had been more history written of the Nauvoo period, but Lucy alludes that her heart was indeed aching and thus not much was written. I am grateful for this record. I am grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! This is a great book!
January 19, 2015
My reading of an earlier edition of this book led me to believe that there was no point in reading a newer edition, but I was wrong. Even the history of the history is worth reading to learn how perspective, understanding, and appreciation has evolved. I read this book while I was a senior missionary in Nauvoo immersed in everything there related, but even still this book added significantly to my personal perspective, understanding, and appreciation for the Prophet Joseph Smith, his life, his work, and his family. I truly enjoyed it but did not take time to write a Goodreads review until remembering to do so now.
April 15, 2020
This is one of the signal autobiographies of the 19th Century. It is a treasure! The prophet's mother relates both her own and her son's histories. Her style is honest and eloquent. Oh, what she must have gone through for the gospel of Jesus Christ! The added footnotes give credence and veracity to the events. When you finish reading, if you aren't shaking your head at the way the USA and the state of Missouri treated the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you obviously didn't read well. Such sadness. Such waste. Such a heritage. "Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!"
April 29, 2021
A beautiful account of the Prophet. I just wish she could have written more about his childhood.
February 21, 2008
While I don't like the editors' (husb-wife team) politics, their research on this Seems exhaustive and the foothills of footnotes are fascinating, if you like historical detail, and I do. The Mother (Lucy Mack Smith) is pretty biased about her famous son, but I bet if I wrote a biog of my sons I wouldn't be objective either. A Good Read! lotsa photos of the old sites as they look today. I recommend it. More of Mother Smith's own words are used in this than in earlier histories of JS, and I like that approach.
March 17, 2009
I have wanted to read this for awhile. I first heard about it in an institute class a couple of years ago and when I had a copy given to me I jumped right in. I liked to "hear" Lucy Smith's voice in regards to the events of her family's life. The footnotes were just as informative as the actual text. However, with the garble of all the different versions and transcribers, I found myself questioning if what is written is her actual words as transcribed or someone else's flowery interpretation. It was a little long and took me forever to read, yet was worth it.
May 31, 2009
If I read this entire book before, I must not have been paying attention. I learned so much as I read it this round. I love the quick wit of Lucy Mack Smith. I thoroughly enjoyed the first 100 pages that spoke of Joseph Smith's ancestors and then how that all tied back into the rest of the book as she showed the miraculous healings and her visions, etc. What an amazing family - without the strength of his entire family, he could not have had the strength to endure all that he did. AMAZING. A must read for all.
July 8, 2010
This book is both enlightening and heart-wrenching. It was fascinating to discover additional details about experiences in the Prophet's life about which I have already heard, and to get Lucy's feelings and perspectives as well. The Smith family had such faith and loyalty, especially when persecutions were at their fiercest. I gained such admiration for what the early women endured and risked for their new faith.
The extensive footnotes provided great insights and helpful information. This is definitely a worthy read.
The extensive footnotes provided great insights and helpful information. This is definitely a worthy read.
October 3, 2018
I really liked this book. It gave me some new insights into the lives of the Smith family. I thought that the title was somewhat deceiving, because this is much less a history of Joseph Smith, than it is the history of Lucy Mack Smith.
Lucy dictated this journal towards the end of her life, and it includes her memories of some important events in her life as well as the early history of the church. this journal doesn't read real well by itself, however, it fills in some gaps for those that already have some knowledge of church history.
Lucy dictated this journal towards the end of her life, and it includes her memories of some important events in her life as well as the early history of the church. this journal doesn't read real well by itself, however, it fills in some gaps for those that already have some knowledge of church history.
September 4, 2010
This was really wonderful! I so enjoyed hearing the story of our great prophet from the perspective of his mother. It was very touching, and I cried along side her at the trials, and marveled along side her at the great miracles and blessings that she witnessed! I learned things I had never heard before, and came to love and appreciate Joseph Smith, and his mother, Lucy Mack Smith, and all of his family, for that matter in a whole new way.
September 1, 2010
Great book. I stand in awe at the strength not only of Joseph Smith and his family but of all of these early Mormons who stood strong in the face of such incredible persecution, sorrow and heartbreak. They hung on to their faith in God - when possessions, health, family, and everything else was ripped away from them. This is my second time reading this book - I read it in preparation for teaching church history this year. I feel incredibly indebted to their strength.
January 20, 2020
It took us a long time to read this book because Don and I read a chapter for each home evening when the subject matter wasn't already chosen. I liked the Proctors' adding things that had been in earlier editions and the way they explained who decided to leave what out or what was different in each edition. It added well to our testimonies already in place about Joseph Smith's role as prophet of the restoration.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews