Joseph Smith's America: A Celebration of His Life and Times

by William W. Slaughter, Chad M. Orton

The Prophet Joseph Smith was born into a world that was much different from the one we know today. The United States in particular was a "work in progress," endeavoring to establish itself. American populist movements were changing the religious, social, and political landscape, while the blossoming of inventions, literature, and art affected nearly every aspect of life. Joseph Smith was a man of the frontier and a participant in this wonderfully dynamic era. To understand him fully, we need to understand the setting in which his work took place. Joseph Smith's America places us right in the center of that era, showing us through word and picture the world that had been prepared by the hand of the Lord so the Restoration could begin.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction, History, Biography

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2005

Reviews

[Marian.brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. It's how I've always wanted a history book to be presented. It tells Joseph Smith's history, but includes what else is happening in America (and the World)at the same time. Maybe your better at dates than I am, but it was neat to finally connect different U.S and world events with Church history events.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book had some good information, the author's choice of what historical information from the time period of Joseph Smith's lifetime and what to exclude seemed somewhat random, there were no citations at all and only a "selected bibliography," and the format was disjointed and difficult to read straight through due to the multiple-page "sidebars" and loose organization.

[Brad Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was very interesting because it gave the church history events during Joseph Smith's lifetime a context in American History.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for the content; 1 star for the format. I had been really looking forward to this book. As a US History teacher, and a Gospel Doctrine teacher, I teach about the same time periods, but don't deal much in crossover. I was expecting that this would be the crossover, which it sort of was.

The book had different sections. The main body of the book was about Joseph Smith's life (which was fairly basic stuff), and then there were -- I guess you would call them inserts -- about what was going on in the rest of the United States at the time. Unfortunately, the inserts most often interrupted the flow of the narration. At one point, I even had to go from pg 146 to pg 154 to pick up what was going on, and it was in the middle of a sentence. I found that awfully distracting. I would have much preferred to have the narration include both the church history and the United States history. I was also a little bothered that more than once, I read something in one of the inserts, only to read the very same thing again in the main body. My last big complaint was that none of the quotes were cited. There was a selected bibliography at the end, but I had no idea exactly where the quotes came from. (There was one in particular I was trying to look up.) As a teacher, I REALLY didn't like that. I'm constantly telling my students that when they use a quote, they need to cite their sources.

I did find some interesting facts that I would like to use in my history class. However, I did find some minor historical mistakes, so before I can use all the information, I will need to double check the accuracy. I also really liked the time line of what happened in each year in the world and in the Church.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a beautiful display book, but the format is difficult to follow, and there wasn't as much about American history as I would have liked. (I also found some annoying typos.)

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I didn't find much new to know about the life of Joseph Smith, I really liked the historical context. And, it's a beautiful book.

[goddess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book. As it related the life of Joseph Smith, it also told of some of the major events that were happening in the country and/or around the world. There were interesting tidbits put in; for instance.....did you know that the waltz was considered risque for its time? Or that what doctors knew about the digestive system was based on studying one man who had been shot in the stomach (therefore leaving a gaping hole)? 90% of that science still holds true today.

I enjoyed putting together the timeline of Joseph Smith and the early days of the Church with significant and random happenings of the times. Great pictures and great information.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this but because of all the bits and pieces of information, it should be read a bit at a time or you are trying to take in too much. Not just the history of Joseph Smith but what else is happening in America and the world. Answered some of my questions about why things happened and no one reacted as I would have expected, etc. Puts the Joseph Smith story in it's historical time and place.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A chock-fullof-knowlege book that I will just have to keep on hand as a reference because, like my daughter said, "I think that book is offered as a class at BYU. If not, it should be." I didn't get through all of it, but am amazed at the research put into it. I think I will study it throughout the year, but it's too much for all at once.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

probably 4.5. I think it enhances one's understanding to have a better idea of the times and circumstances surrounding events in history

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book, full of interesting information setting Joseph Smith in American history. I did not realize, for instance, that the Missouri persecutions and extermination order happened at the same time as the Trail of Tears.

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating. Loved integrating church and US history.

[Kade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is awesome! It explains what America was like during Joseph Smith's life and why the gospel was restored at this time and place. Also, it looks amazing on a shelf!

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puts JS's life and works within a political, social, economic, geographic context; insightful and interesting though not exhaustive.