In Their Own Words: Women and the Story of Nauvoo

by Carol Cornwall Madsen

How would you feel when you heard the news of Joseph and Hyrum Smith's martyrdom? What would you write in your journal about the event? What would you write to a loved one serving in a distant land? The feelings, experiences, personal testimonies, hopes, prayers, and dreams of twenty-five women are compiled in this extraordinary work by Carol Cornwall Madsen. These women found their lives transformed by their conversion to Mormonism and shaped by their experiences thereafter. The voices you hear as you read these documents are clearly their own, from their own perspectives and in their vernacular as they lived in the City of Joseph. Each woman's background and setting at the time of her writing are explained by the author. The writings include diary entries, letters to loved ones and dear friends, and reminiscences. Readers will find thoughts and experiences about family and friends, religion, material struggles, sorrow, self-appraisal and faith.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Religion, Historical, Church History

266 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1994

Reviews

[Maren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty heart wrenching. The writings of these women showed how hard the economy was in Nauvoo and how bad the mobs were. It was eye opening.

[Etta Mcquade · Rating 4 out of 5]

What so many of these faithful women went through--lack of food, mobbings, husbands away on missions or working diligently in apostolic positions, illnesses, deaths of children or loved ones, etc.
And, still they remained true to the church. A remarkable book.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although a little than a three star not really a four. I had to push myself in the first portion of the book however the last section, Reminiscences proved to be more interesting.

[Malinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was probably more of a 3.5 but I couldn't round it up to 4. I wasn't so impressed even though it did get better in the last section. The most interesting tidbit I got out of the whole book was that President Taylor's wife lived in a little deserted army barrack after they got kicked out of Missouri and while Pres. Taylor was on a mission. The shack was in such poor repair that a skunk walked in through a hole in the wall every night that winter. Overall this book didn't meet my expectations or hold my interest.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another one of my research books, but it was also a very enjoyable read. Each chapter is about a different woman living in Nauvoo in the 1840s. The authors use personal journals and letters as well as their own research to illustrate the lives of these women. Their extensive footnotes are almost as interesting as the text.

[Jeniann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because we are going to Nauvoo this month. I wasn't too interested in the first 150 pages or so of the book. But the last 100 pages or so had reminiscences were quite interesting and inspiring little accounts of women living in Nauvoo and their experiences there. I've read quite a bit of church history stuff, and I enjoyed getting a perspective from the women.

[Tammy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about women whose names I had heard, but whose histories I had never read before. I am amazed at the strength of the women in the early days of the church. They suffered through so much loss and persecution, but stayed faithful to what they knew to be true.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biographies of women who lived in Nauvoo and journal entries. Interesting!

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great look at the women living in Nauvoo as found in their own diaries and journals. I ate this up.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madsen's selection of documents and her introductory essays are excellent. Highly recommended.

[Alfred Woollacott, III]

Another excellent resource to understand what these pioneering women endured!