Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism

by Richard L. Bushman

Focuses on the first twenty-five years of Smith's life, describes his visions, and recounts how he established the Church of the Latter-day Saints

Genres: History, Religion, Biography, Lds, Nonfiction, Mormonism, American History

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Richard Lyman Bushman obtained a Ph.D. from Harvard and published widely in early American social and cultural history before completing his most well-known work, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, a biography of the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Among his books were From Puritan to Yankee: Character and the Social Order in Connecticut, 1690-1765 and The Refinement of America: Persons, Houses, Cities. He teaches courses on Mormonism in its broad social and cultural context and on the history of religion in America, focusing on the early period. He has special interests in the history of Mormon theology and in lived religion among the Mormons. He has taken an active part in explaining Mormonism to a broad public and in negotiating the tensions between Mormonism and modern culture.

Reviews

[Peiman E iran · Rating 3 out of 5]

‎دوستانِ گرانقدر، مذهبِ <مورمون> یکی از شاخه ها و مذاهبِ دینِ مسیحیت است که تقریباً از سالِ 1830 میلادی، در غربِ نیویورک و به وسیلهٔ کشیشِ فریبکار و زن باره ای به نامِ <ژوزف اسمیت> بنیانگذاری شد و امروزه بیش از ده میلیون پیرو برایِ خود دست و پا کرده است
‎تاریخِ مذهبِ مورمون را میتوان به سه دوره تقسیم نمود: دورهٔ نخست، زمانِ زنده بودن ژوزف اسمیت- دورهٔ دوم، زمانِ رهبری بریگهام یانگ، در سدهٔ بیستم- دورهٔ سوم، زمانی که منطقهٔ یوتا در آمریکا، به محلِ سکونتِ پیروانِ مذهبِ مورون تبدیل شد و به عنوانِ یکی از ایالت هایِ آمریکا به رسمیت شناخته شد
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‎ژوزف اسمیت از خانواده ای کشاورز زاده شد که بعدها به کارِ گنج یابی روی آوردند و شرکتی بدین منظور باز نمودند... اسمیت، در سنِ هشت سالگی به سببِ عفونتِ استخوانی، پاهایش فلج شد و در سنینِ جوانی با عصا راه میرفت.. این موجودِ پست و فریبکار، ادعا میکرد که به وسیلهٔ سنگِ گنجیاب میتواند گنج هایِ پنهان را پیدا کند.. او سنگی را در لولهٔ دودکشی سفید میگذاشت و میگفت: این سنگ پس از حرارت دیدن، با او سخن میگوید
‎اسمیت میگفت، فرشته ای به نامِ <مورونی> یا <مورمونی> که فرزندِ یکی از پیامبرانِ یهود به نامِ <مورمون> بوده است، بر او ظاهر شده و او را به پیامبری برگزیده است... اسمیت معتقد بود که عده ای از یهودیانِ قوم بنی اسرائیل در حدودِ 400 الی 600 سال پیش از میلاد، به آمریکایِ شمالی مهاجرت کرده اند.. این مهاجران، احکام و کتاب به اصطلاح مقدسِ خویش را در برگها و لوح های زرّین نوشته اند و در زیر خاک پنهان کرده اند.. از این رو، اسمیت ادعا میکرد که تنها کسی میباشد که جایِ این برگهایِ زرین را میداند.. او میگفت که این لوح ها را به وسیلهٔ سنگهایِ نقره ای که دارایِ عدسی بوده و شبیه به عینکی مخصوص میباشد را خوانده و به زبانِ انگلیسی ترجمه میکند... او با زنی به نامِ <اماهیل> ازدوج کرد و گفت: بر او از جانبِ خداوند وحی شده است که به کمکِ اماهیل میتواند تمامی برگها و لوح هایِ زرین را پیدا کرده و دین را کامل کند... بعدها کتابی را همچون قرآنِ محمد رسولِ بتِ اللهِ اکبر، فراهم آورد و نامِ آن را کتابِ مورمون نهاد و همچون محمد به پیروانِ بدبخت و ناآگاهِ خویش گفت که این کتابِ آسمانی معجزه ای از سوی خدا بوده که بر من نازل شده است
‎اسمیت، به همراه پیروانش، به هر شهری که سفر میکرد، آنها را از شهر بیرون میکردند، تا آنکه در شهرِ هارمونی در ایالتِ پنسیلوانیا که اکنون آن را با نامِ آکلند میشناسیم، با مردی به نامِ مارتین هریس که همسایهٔ او بود، آشنا شد... مارتین هریس، 116 برگ از متونِ ترجمه شدهٔ اسمیت را از او گرفت و دیگر به او برنگرداند.. ولی اسمیت این موجودِ کلّاش، ادعا کرد که فرشتهٔ مورمونی، آن برگها را از او گرفته و سپس به او بازگردانده است.... بعدها کسانی آمدند و به وی گفتند: اگر راست میگویی، آن لوح های زرین را نشان بده...اسمیت به آنها گفت: فرشتهٔ وحی، آن لوح ها را پس از ترجمه شدن، از من گرفت و به جایِ امنی در نزدِ خداوند، منتقل کرد
‎او در شهرِ کرتلند، از مردمِ ناآگاه و بیچاره پول میگرفت تا خرجِ خود و کلیسایش کند، ولی مردم پس از مدتی پولشان را درخواست کردند و اسمیت دوباره با همراهانش از شهر گریخت
‎اسمیت به پیروانش میگفت: من همچون محمد، پیامبرِ تازیان و اسلام، باید با غارت و چپاول و زورِ شمشیر، دینِ خود را گسترش دهم.. ولی اسمیت، همچون محمد، خوش شانس نبود، چراکه در حالِ غارت، او و عده ای را دستگیر کردند و ماه ها زندانی بود.. سپس به سرزمینِ می سی سی پی مهاجرت کرد و در آنجا شهری با نامِ "نوو" را بنیاد نهاد
‎اسمیت ازدواجِ چند همسری و نامحدود را برایِ پیروانش واجب کرد .. اسمیت به پیروانش میگفت: کسی که از روشِ چند زنی، پیروی نکند، موردِ خشمِ خداوند قرار خواهد گرفت .. او با بیش از 30 زن ازدواج کرد که یک سوم از آنها زیر 20 سال سن داشتند و دو تن از آنها نیز 14 ساله بودند... اسمیت در این کار نیز الگویِ خود را محمد رسولِ اللهِ اکبر، انتخاب نمود... چراکه محمد نیز با بیش از 40 زن همخواب شده بود..... همسرش اماهیل، با این کارِ شوهرش اسمیت، مخالفت کرد.. ولی اسمیت نیز همچون محمد، دست به دامانِ وحی از سویِ فرشته شد و به اماهیل گفت: خداوند بر من وحی کرده و اجازهٔ این کار را به من داده است و من را از طلاق دادنِ این زنان و دختران، منع نموده است... اماهیل نیز همچون عایشه به محمد پاسخ داد: این چه خداوندی است که وظیفه اش را در ارضایِ تمایلاتِ جنسی و همخوابیِ تو متمرکز کرده است؟
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‎اسمیت میگفت: خداوند مردی نیرومند است که با فضا و زمان یکی شده است و بر رویِ تختی نشسته است و نزدیک به ستاره و یا سیاره ای به نامِ "کولوب" زندگی میکند... ولی این سخنان نیز همچون دیگر خزعبلاتی که میگفت، چرت و پرتی دروغین بیش نبود
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‎این موجودِ بیخرد، باور داشت که سیاه پوستان در آغاز، سفیدپوست بوده اند و به سببِ کردار و گفتارِ بد، رنگشان سیاه شده است .. او با ازدواجِ سفیدپوستان با سیاه پوستان، مخالف بود.. ولی به سیاهان اجازه میداد که به کلیسا رفته و به او پول و هدایا بدهند... او به سیاه پوستان وعده داد که اگر رئیس جمهور آمریکا شود، برده داری را از میان میبرد... از این رو، سیاه پوستانِ زیادی، به مذهبِ او گرایش پیدا کردند
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‎سرانجام این موجودِ پست و کثیف، در سالِ 1844 به همراهِ برادرش، در شهرِ کارتاژ، بازداشت شد و در زندان به وسیلهٔ عده ای شبه نظامی که از مردم بوده اند، به هلاکت درآمد و پیروانش پراکنده شدند
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‎مورمون ها باور دارند که زن و مرد پس از مرگ نیز ازدواجشان پایدار است و از هم جدا نمیشوند وحتی فرزندانشان نیز از آنها جدا نخواهند شد
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‎اسمیت میگفت: انسان نیز اگر بر احکام و دستورات مورمونی پایبند بوده و فرمانبردار باشد، میتواند به مقامِ خدایی رسیده و با عیسی مسیح یکی گردد
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‎مورمونها 10 درصد از درآمد سالیانهٔ خویش را باید به کلیسایِ مورمون هدیه کنند ... مردان بازنشسته به مدتِ دوسال باید به کلیسا خدماتِ رایگان دهند و در آنجا مشغول به کار باشند
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‎مذهب مورمون با دیگر مذاهبِ مسیحی، تفاوتهای بسیار زیادی دارد.. یکی از این تفاوت ها این است که آنها تئوری تثلیث، یعنی: پدر، پسر و روح القدس را قبول ندارند و این تئوری را به این صورت باور دارند: خدا، پدر، پسرش مسیح و روح القدس..... یعنی وجود خدا را از وجود مسیح و روح القدس جدا میدانند و هیچکدام از آنها پیوندی با یکدیگر ندارند، ولی در مجموع خدا را تشکیل میدهند
‎پیروانِ مورمون، داستانِ موهومِ گناهِ اصلی، یعنی رانده شدنِ آدم و حوا از بهشت را نیز باور ندارند
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‎عزیزان و نورِ چشمانم، اصول و احکامِ مذهبِ مورمونیسم و داستانِ شکل گیریِ آن، نشان میدهد که یکسری کلّاشِ دروغگو و حرامی، همچون دیگر دینفروشان و مبلغانِ مذهبی در طولِ تاریخ، برایِ رسیدن به قدرت، شهرت و ثروت و زن بارگی، خود را پیامبرِ خدا معرفی میکنند و ما خردگرایان، بیش از پیش به این باور میرسیم که خدایِ موهوم و دروغینِ ادیانِ سامی، در ذهنِ دروغ پردازِ پیامبرانش، مبلغان و پیغمبرانش را بر اساسِ غریزهٔ جنسی و ارضایِ این غریزه و همینطور غارت و ویران کردنِ کمالاتِ انسانی و له کردنِ جنسِ زن، برگزیده است
‎همانطور که میبینید شباهت های بسیار زیادی میانِ محمد رسولِ بتِ اللهِ اکبر و پیامبرِ بیابانی ها، و ژوزف اسمیت پیامبرِ مورمون ها و آمریکای شمالی وجود دارد... گویا داستانِ فریب خوردنِ انسانهایِ ناآگاه به وسیلهٔ دروغگویانی که میگویند از سویِ خدا برگزیده شده اند، همچنان ادامه خواهد داشت
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‎به امیدِآگاه شدنِ تمامی انسانها و نجاتشان از دامِ ادیان و مذاهبِ گوناگون.... امیدوارم این ریویو برایِ شما دوستانِ خردگرا و هوشی وار، مفید بوده باشه
‎<پیروز باشید و ایرانی>

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first few chapters are painful...a lot of back history on the Smith and Mack families, but once into Joseph's family it is a great book. For one who often struggles with faith (me), this was a fantastic read. This story only goes through Joseph's early years and up to the start of the church, but I really liked all of the history, especially the "touchy" subjects including Joseph's much criticized "gold digging days". It made me realize that Joseph was a human, just like the rest of us--he was young and poor and hadn't quite comprehended the life God had chosen for him just yet, not that anything he did was too terrible-just blown out of proportion. Despite all of the threats, abuse and hard times, Joseph never once backed down from his story though he did not gain too many worldly glories during his day to make it worth it (from the world's view). It's just hard NOT to believe in him compared with the alternative. The Book of Mormon is just too complex and incredible of a story for him to have written. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a history sympathetic to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. But Bushman didn’t write this for members of the church. He customizes it for the benefit of nonmembers who simply want to learn more about the faith’s beginnings and early years.

The book begins in New England where you get a look at church founder Joseph Smith’s heritage. You’ll read about the Smith family and learn where Joseph fits into it.

Bushman traces Joseph Smith’s life and includes information on what has since become known as “the first vision.” The Smith family lived in the burned-over district of upstate New York, so named because of the religious fervor of the day wherein every denomination went to great lengths to capture and keep converts. The Smith family divided its loyalties between the Presbyterians and the Methodists. Young Smith’s dad, Joseph Senior, stalwartly held out and joined none of the religions of his day, convinced as he was of their hypocrisy. Amidst the confusion of his time, Joseph junior slipped off one early spring day to a grove of trees where he knelt and prayed for clarification. If you read this, you’ll read about the result of Smith’s prayer and the eventual establishment of a Christian faith that included six members in 1830.

I don’t mean to come across as arrogant, but I knew this material well. There wasn’t a “wait! What?” moment here for me. But those who are new members or those who have skated by for years with a nominal or casual knowledge of Smith’s life may have a “Wait! What?” moment or two. Those who aren’t members of the faith but who are interested in its beginnings will find this a comprehensive albeit sympathetic explanation of the church and especially Joseph Smith, Jr.

While this history may be a little dated, the author uses sources who remain trustworthy. The sources from whom he quotes remain relevant to 21st-century church historians. This is a good all-purpose primer on the life of Joseph Smith

[Dr. Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was groundbreaking when first published and it is still the best book available on Joseph Smith's early years. It covers his ancestry and early life up to 1830--the year he founded the Church of Christ. Bushman not only synthesized the research on Joseph available at that time, but he places Joseph into his larger American context. He explores the religious context in which Joseph Smith was raised, the social and cultural setting in which he lived, and the events surrounding his early years. Although considerable research has come out since this book was published, it is still my favorite biography of Smith. I've read it several times and plan to read it again in the near future.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 4 out of 5]

This excellent and well sourced history traces Joseph Smith's family and cultural background and shows how he fits into what was going on in rural America in the early 19th Century. Bushman's extensive research shows up in each chapter, as he informs and answers critics' attacks and objections. The book is good for enriching believers' knowledge and for informing people interested in this important and influential historical figure.

[Spencer Willardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really interesting for me. I have read "Rough Stone Rolling" by Bushman. This book gave a wonderful look at the economic and religious milieu into which Joseph Smith was born and in which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in LDS church history and who wants to understand Joseph Smith as a person.

[Steven Landry · Rating 1 out of 5]

A decent volume for a brief introduction to the history of the Latter-day Saints. Unfortunately, it's not useful for those who want an unbiased perspective about Mormonism, and its glowing portrayal of Smith can be misleading.

[Kaylee Rockbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well-researched and comprehensive account of both sides of the Smith family for many years before Joseph Jr’s birth up until the move to Ohio. It’s not an easy read because of some structural issues on top of the difficulties that are always there with academic texts

[Kevin Bradshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

It goes without saying that Bushman is an excellent historian whose expertise concerned the region and period from which the Mormon religion arose. That being said, this book doesn't always read well, even for a history book. More importantly, it is a work of apologetics- not in the pejorative sense, but in the scholarly sense. It often seeks to undermine, though not explicitly, much of the historical case put together by Fawn Broadie, whose No Man Knows My History has stood the test of time. For example, Bushman tries to shift some of the moral blame for Smith's divining activities- i.e. his treasure seeking for hire- to his father, and he seems too want to wish away the trial record concerning Smith's criminal trial. Worse still, Bushman assumes that the accounts provided by members of Smith's family are true. But must not their basic familiarity with those facts be first established? In other words, assuming that witnesses to miraculous events can be relied on to establish the veracity of miracle reports, shouldn't the witnesses' basic familiarity with the events be first established? Can Lucy Smith be a reliable witness to events she herself had no first hand knowledge of? Is this not just boot strapping Joseph Smith's own story?

For my own part, I have no interest in polemics that seek to attack or undermine faith in any particular religion, or religion in general. I think those who devote their lives to attacking the Mormon religion are in desperate need of a life, not to mention a sense of decency. However, I don't see the point of apologetic accounts either. One does not become faithful by way of historical research or archaeological exploration. You might even say, with some justification, I think, that one does not become unfaithful because of such research, unless one is first predisposed to lose the sense of that which allows one to believe- that ill-defined and more or less ineffable sense described by some philosophers and scholars as the experience of the numinous.

[Gena Lott · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enlightening read with background on Joseph Smith, his family and his experience I have never read anywhere else. A great addition toy study of Church history.

[JG Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dry but I learned a decent amount from this book as I continue my study on Mormonism.

[David Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW — Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism by Richard L. Bushman (1996)

This book was a landmark in the serious, fair-minded study of early Latter-day Saint history. Published in 1984, the book grew out of Bushman’s long-standing desire to tell Joseph Smith’s story with both scholarly rigor and genuine understanding. At the time, much of the writing on Mormon origins was either devotional and uncritical or openly hostile and dismissive. Bushman, a respected early American historian and a believing Latter-day Saint, brought something different—an academically credible, carefully documented, yet empathetic portrait of Joseph Smith and the turbulent spiritual ferment of the early 19th century.

Bushman wrote this book as part of the “Mormon lives” series sponsored by the LDS Church’s historical department, but it was also very much his own intellectual project. He had already established himself as a major historian of early America and wanted to place Joseph Smith in the context of the religious, social, and intellectual world that produced the Restoration. At the time, few works treated Joseph Smith as a serious historical figure within the American past. Bushman broke ground by situating Joseph’s prophetic claims alongside the intense revivalism of the Burned-over District, the treasure-seeking and folk magic of the frontier, and the sincere religious searching of his family and neighbors.

This approach helped make Joseph comprehensible—not by reducing him to cultural influences but by acknowledging the environment in which he wrestled with God and forged a new religious movement. For many readers, this was the first time Joseph’s story felt both historically honest and spiritually meaningful.

The book traces Joseph’s childhood poverty, the deep religiosity of the Smith family, and the disorienting swirl of competing churches in upstate New York. Bushman describes Joseph’s youthful yearning for divine direction, his confusion and searching that led to the First Vision, and the long, often discouraging process of bringing forth the Book of Mormon under family skepticism and community hostility. He places the coming forth of the gold plates and the translation process within the larger culture of seer stones and biblical fervor, showing how Joseph moved from a hesitant seeker to a confident religious innovator.

Bushman also gives close attention to the human cost of Joseph’s calling—the ridicule he endured, the tension with neighbors, and his own self-doubt. Yet the book makes clear Joseph’s extraordinary spiritual vitality and his ability to gather followers and inspire hope. The book opened a path for a new generation of Mormon history that neither evades complexity nor surrenders reverence.

Quotes:

“The puzzle of Joseph Smith is that he was both a product of his time and place and also an extraordinary break from it. He sprang out of the longings and uncertainties of a culture restless with revival, prophecy, and search, but his confidence in vision and revelation, and his ability to found a movement that endured beyond his death, set him apart from the countless other seekers of his generation.”

“Once Joseph began to translate the plates, his life and that of his family changed forever. He was no longer a wandering, questing youth but a man with a mission and a story to tell. His claims invited ridicule and hostility, yet they also awakened in many the sense that God was once again speaking. That conviction—fragile at first, but deepening with each revelation—was the germ of a faith that would bind together a people and build a new religious world.”

[Joel Stucki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with book before Rough Stone Rolling was published. This was the beginning of the research done for that book and much of it is recovered in that later book's early chapters. I was taken a bit by surprise with the way the book abruptly ends when many of us know the story was just getting started and it definitely leaves you feeling a want for the rest of the story which Bushman would deliver many years later after much more research. Still this remains a even more detailed look at these early years before the church was organized. Bushman writes in a very comfortable style that really draws you in. He is also great for placing into a sentence or two profound conclusions based on the evidence. This book thoroughly confronts Joseph's use of folk magic and his influences from his New England heritage in a way that is truthful, complete, scholarly, and deeply respectful. This is not an apologetic work or glossed history meant to teach specific lessons. It is rigorous and unflinching in its review of a religious leader that is sacred to so many and is recommended to anyone interested in the history of Mormonism. Yet there is something so satisfying about reading such an account and coming away with the feeling that you have now heard all the facts in context and you are still deeply impressed with the story. Joseph was an amazing man and too often his story is reduced to either a mocking caricature or a saintly fable. Here and in Bushman's later work Rough Stone Rolling that completes this story, you will find the real man Joseph, or at least as close as we can get to him from across the span of years.

[Joseph D. Walch · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the more inclusive scholarly works exploring the place of Joseph Smith and the founding of the 'Mormon' religion. I am indebted to the author who shed light into such touchy subjects such as the accusation of treasure seeking and the interesting fact that clergy may have responded so negatively to the First Vision not from pure anti-Christian motive, but from the experience dealing with universal spiritualists who were making regular and wild claims of heavenly manifestations.

The subject matter deals with many of the common accusations levied against the modern Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by it's enemies such as the circumstances and details surrounding the translation of the Book of Mormon, First Vision, etc., and gives a fair hearing to these accusations sourced in such books as "Mormonism Unveiled", and "No Man Knows My History". It notes the primary importance of narrative in the foundation of the Church rather than on historical creeds--making the development of doctrine more fluid and adaptable at the same time as allowing the Church to avoid many of the Theo-philosophical wars of the time (e.g., Calvinist salvation by grace vs. the Methodist salvation through faith and repentance). An interesting look into the life and times of upper-state New York and the spiritualist fervor of the time. This is an important book for anybody who wants to understand the foundation of one of the worlds most influential religious traditions.

[Edy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Bushman is a wonderful historian. He writes clearly and beautifully. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I have known for years about the history Bushman describes, yet there was a freshness and clarity that I enjoyed immensely. Since I have attended graduate school and written a doctoral dissertation, I consider myself to some extent a scholar, and I was hooked on the scholarship of this book. I was so captivated by this author's style that I am currently reading another book, Believing History, and plan to seek out other titles by him. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know the history of the early days of the Mormon church and of its first prophet, Joseph Smith.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book several years ago and did not make it past the first two pages. However, when I opened it just recently I became riveted. I appreciated the inclusion of various perspectives and the depth that was provided to historical events. This book helped me to understand a bit more of the general history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in light of its contemporary history. The author clearly holds one view, but is willing to share other views and provides ample references.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written historical take on early LDS church history. I really enjoyed reading it partly because of the good straight forward writing and partly because it presented more detail into a history I was already familiar with. Although Bushman is a Mormon, he presents a rounded view from both critics and believers. In the preface, he openly states his beliefs on the subject, but then proceeds with the approach of a historian. A great read for both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and those who are interested in religious history regardless of his/her faith.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, fair and thought provoking look at Joseph Smith's life up until the Kirkland, Ohio era. Dr. Bushman does a thorough job of looking at Joseph Smith's maternal and patriarchal extended family legacy and does not shy away from the more gritty and sensational aspects of his life. Next up (also by Bushman) Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. I have heard that the beginnings of that book is nearly identical to this one so perhaps I will be able to skip ahead.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bushman does a fine job of tackling the early formation of the Church, including touchy things like multiple versions of the First Vision account, the trials for disorderly conduct, and the Smith family's penchant for magic and treasure-seeking. This is a well-rounded book which is largely favorable to the Church. I would recommend it to those already secure in their faith.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of what I consider a series of books. Rough Stone Rolling. This book is fantastic, but ends rather abruptly during the Ohio years. I happened to bump into the author in Manhattan and over small talk (we were both ushers at the temple dedication) I queried as to why. Bushman's respons was wait for the sequel. Fantastic historian and scholar.

[Levi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great scholarly work about the early Mormon church. Bushman did a good job examining Joseph Smith from all angles. He was not afraid to explore the idiosyncrasies of Joseph Smith the man and showed how even as an imperfect man, he was a great prophet and he performed a great work. It helped strengthen my testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith.

[zoe nicol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned that I could make a Mormon cry on an eight-hour flight...that's what I learned. Facts can do that. I didn't mean to make him cry but I love me some history and some cultural context. I would have bought the man a beer but he's well...notsomuch into that.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started this one today and I'm not really enjoying it. The part about Joseph Smith's ancestors is interesting, but the overall tone of the book or something is too dry, and I'm not really that motivated to keep going. I will read a few more chapters and see if my opinion changes.

[Joe Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unimpeachable research. It speaks for itself.

[Erneilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best summaries of the early Mormon Church and its beginnings from a great scholar.

[JL Salty]

previewed for collection: language is more difficult than we are looking for.

[Jeff Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was intended as the first volume of the aborted sesquicentennial history of the church.

[Cws]

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