School of the Prophet: Joseph Smith Learns the First Principles, 1820-1830

by Richard E. Bennett

How does the Lord "bring" up a prophet?

If Joseph Smith was to be the Lord's instrument for the Restoration, the message of the gospel needed to be reflected in the life of the messenger. But what began in 1820 in a grove of trees in upstate New York didn t result in the formation of the Church for another decade. Important events transpired during this period, but do we understand why it took ten years? In this fascinating and groundbreaking book, Richard Bennett teaches how the Lord carefully instructed the budding prophet in the saving principles and ordinances of the gospel during that decade.

- This ten-year "incubation" period allowed the Lord to teach Joseph Smith fundamental principles he would later be called on to teach.
- The Lord used visions, heavenly messengers, and common, everyday experiences to teach the future prophet.
- This era in Church history provides for us a divine pattern of instruction in essential, life-changing principles.

Genres: Lds, Nonfiction, Religion, Teaching

163 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2010

About the author

Richard Edmond Bennett

Reviews

[Cami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't what I was expecting. It is more of a set of lectures on the first principles of the gospel with a few examples of Joseph Smith living them than it is a story of Joseph Smith himself. There are lots of great scriptures and prophets quoted, but I felt like the majority of the book left Joseph out. I learned some things I hadn't known before--like the revivalist movement encouraging youth to seek solitude in the woods to pray and it not just being something Joseph came up with on his own--but overall, I was hoping for a more in-depth look at Joseph's life from 1820-1830 than what was presented. The Epilogue does a great job of summarizing the book if you don't feel like reading the whole thing. Overall though, the idea that Joseph Smith would need to not only be told the gospel principles but actually live them and be tested by them makes a lot of sense.

[Terry Earley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice treatment of the years 1820 to 1830 from the perspective of Joseph Smith's angelic visitors as teachers/instructors, preparing the Restoration in an orderly way.

There was also an informative piece on the significant movement in the 18th century to get the Bible widely published and distributed. It was through the efforts of many people that a Bible was found in most American homes by the early 19th century.

I enjoyed Bennett's "Mormons At The Missouri", and this one was also engaging.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be pretty interesting. Bennett takes the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel, and shows how they fit into Joseph's life when he was first learning the Gospel himself. There were things I found in this book that I will actually use in my history classes, which is fun. It wasn't a "deep" read -- it was actually a pretty easy read -- but there were some perspectives in here I hadn't considered before. Good way to help kick off a Doctrine and Covenants study year.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is some historical material included here that was new to me.
I was hoping to learn more about the "School of the Prophets" that he organized. There is nothing about that in here.

[Rhonda Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading this book off on for a couple of years now. I purchased it because I was intrigued by the title School of the Prophet. I had been studying the Kirtland Temple Dedication about creating a House of Order.......... I wanted to know more about the School of the Prophets. This book is more about the Schooling of Prophets by God and Angels than the actual School of the Prophet. I like to think this book as the curriculum that would have been expounded upon during their meetings. The first four Principles of the Gospel are the school. We all will be schooled in the same manner. Its the path to discipleship. Its simple/ yet we make it so complicated!
The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel are the basis of our homeschooling Curriculum. . This is of the most important matter Obtaining the Holy Ghost so that we can be taught directly by the Holy Ghost

[mtw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bennett's approach was unique to look at how the prophet Joseph learned the first principles of the Gospel in his early years. I especially like the chapters on faith and repentance, but the chapters on baptism and the Holy Ghost seemed a little forced to fit into his model. But overall, an insightful and unique look at the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith and how he truly lived what he had been taught.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good speed read. Nothing I hadn't really read or studies before. A good book for understanding the chronological order of things. My mistake was I bought the book thinking it was about "The School of the Prophets"', a totally different thing. Guess I'll take my glasses the next time I go to the shelf! Well researched and compiled. Easy reading that all can understand.

[David Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good review of the first principles the played a part of the life of Joseph Smith and the Restoration.