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4.3 ★★★★★
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★★★★★ 5
This wonderful biography focuses on what the contemporary records actually tell us.
Format: Paperback
I am very grateful to Richard Bushman for this book. Writing about Joseph Smith invites a storm of criticism because skeptics only want him debunked and believers want their faith supported. Each wants their pre-conceived image of who Joseph was to be proven correct. Bushman takes a strong stance that lets the evidence we have speak for itself, preferably as close to Joseph himself and contemporary witnesses as possible, and tell the story of his life to high scholarly standards.
For me the book read somewhat sparer than a biography that includes anecdotes as if they are history. Many familiar stories that I learned growing up are simply not here. However, relying as much as possible on contemporary accounts and what Joseph himself wrote or said provides a a biography more consistent in its view of Joseph than the books that either extol him or those that tend to attack him and try to debunk him. For example, the famous Brodie biography seemed to me to want Joseph to be both a genius and a dolt, a highly energetic man yet lazy, a crazed believer and a cynical con man, and on and on with similar contradictions. Bushman achieves a more consistent lens on Joseph, despite the complications of the man and his life. I think this is both a great achievement and a real help in trying to understand Joseph. I mean it as high praise for the book when I say that I think that almost everyone who reads this book thoughtfully will take away a broader and deeper conception of who Joseph Smith was and what he did.
Rather than try to recount the book to you I want to share several things that I learned from the book and really value. I could list dozens more, but you can read the book for yourself (which I encourage you to do). Yes, I am a believing member of the LDS Church, but I think the book is intelligent and honest and complete enough to provide interesting and thought provoking material for both the believer and the skeptic and for someone who comes with no knowledge of Joseph at all. Believers will have to consider the complications of the man and his flesh and blood temperament and the misjudgments he made in his life about the people he trusted and some of the actions he took. Skeptics will have to deal with the reality of the man and his achievements. Simply dismissing him as a con man or a crazed visionary will not work because that is not what the actual evidence says. Joseph did not run the Church as the single central figure nor did he turn it into a cult of Joseph Smith.
Bushman showed me the power and genius of the organization of the Church and its balancing mechanisms of being flat with a broadly held male priesthood with a hierarchical leadership with doctrine of keys and how the later addition of women in the operation, governing of the Church, and caring of the needs of the Saints strengthened and enriched it. And while Joseph was the President of the Church and its Prophet and Seer he really did let local leadership govern itself according to the principles taught through the revelations. I think Bushman's focus on the development of the organization and its role in preserving the Church and its ongoing growth after Joseph's murder is spot on and helped deepen my appreciation of its dynamism and adaptability.
I also like the compromise language Bushman achieved in dealing with the realities of the revelations of Joseph Smith. The author always refers to them as Joseph's revelations. For believers, we accept them as revelations from God through Joseph Smith, but I can see them as "Joseph's" in that they were given through him. And skeptics who reject anything divine about the revelations can accept that, whatever they are, Joseph spoke them. I also liked learning how many of the revelations were given in the presence of others in meetings, how matter of fact they were, how they were immediately copied and circulated, and how difficult it was to get them collected and printed for a variety of reasons until we finally got them published as the Doctrine and Covenants.
Another thing I gained a deeper appreciation of was the utter daring and the monumental nature of building the Kirtland Temple so early in the Church's life. Most Mormon congregations (wards) have around 500 members. Kirtland at the time they were building the temple was growing, but only had around 600 members when the project began. I can't fathom taking on such a project with so few people and for a people living in log structures and less it is even more incredible. Yet they built it in that rugged frontier town. I also thought that Bushman handled the sense of the miraculous around the dedication of the temple very sensitively. I also did not realize that when Joseph and Oliver were receiving the visitation of the Savior, Moses, Elijah, and Elias on the altar of the temple that up to 1,000 members were in the temple on the other side of the curtain.
When I was growing up I did not understand clearly how early the Saints arrived in Missouri and how much larger the settlement there was than in Kirtland even though the temple in Kirtland was built and the proposed temple for Zion was not. Bushman also does a good job of giving a clear picture of the dynamics of the persecutions in Missouri and how the growing political power and anti-slavery stance of the Mormons antagonized the locals. The so-called Mormon War is also more critical to the rest of Joseph's life than I had realized.
The constant hounding from Missouri and Joseph having to fear for his life from then on was something I had not truly appreciated. I also think Bushman handles the issue of plural marriage as well as it can be handled. And I think I gained a deeper understanding of John C. Bennett's role in the persecution of the Mormons in Illinois than I had before. I think the actual martyrdom is given a little too light a treatment here, but it is well covered material, and as Bushman notes, a great deal of faith promoting stories have accumulated around that event over the years. And I think he was probably wise in not opening up his book to attacks because he debunked someone's favorite story about Joseph's last days. Just laying out what is actually documented from the time is very helpful.
Even with all the praise I have given, I could heap a great deal more if I had the space and time. But I do want to share an honest perspective I have of the book. It is superior, truly marvelous, from Joseph's early life through the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. That is the zenith of the book. From that point on, while good, the author himself cites difficulty in getting to Joseph directly after that point because his life and the nature of the work of the Church and the lives of the Saints changed. The rest of the book is not as exquisite. Very good, interesting, and informative, but not quite equal to the previous material. It becomes more of a narrative than it had been probably for the reason Bushman cites.
I did find the footnotes and bibliography quite useful. They enriched my reading and sent me on to other reading I found illuminating and will help me in selecting other directions for study for years to come. So, I am especially thankful for the hard work in putting all that material together, as well.
This is a monumental work and a treasure. Read it. Evaluate it for yourself no matter your present attitude or judgments of Joseph Smith. You will have a more considered and informed view for having read it.
And, I don't know why this is in the paperback section. I bought and read the hardcover of the book.
Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Saline, MI
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Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2012
★★★★★ 5
Candid Honesty from a great American Historian
Format: Hardcover
Reading Puritans to Yankees, a Bancroft Prize history, I moved to this tome. Professor(full) Bushman is a great American historian. This book follows tradition. One look at Prof. Bushman's on-line student sylabuses or awards at Columbia illustrates his leadership ofhistory students.
Years I've spent trying to better understand ancient Pauls revelations; in particular the one with Christ on the road. How can one get closer to Christ without understanding revelation? At the third read of Rough Stone, and lots of redlines, I think this book is about revelation. Also what a rare thing revelation has been; heaven is open modernly for revelation. I wish I could understand the Bible without a guide to communicaton form God. Rough Stone has opened a new understanding of revelation. Maybe the most important thing is that God is all powerful and supreem, and will talk to us when He wants and we are able to understand.
Bushman's honest facts include the unknown. Cited notes and end references indicate ratio of 20 to 1, focusing on issues not defense. His knowledge quest is aparent, like an intelligent friend who relates and lays out the reasons for his analysis. The evidence historians rely on, shows that Smith himself spoke and acted consistently with God. All true history I have read has good and bad - same here - the voice is one of personal knowledge. Whether or not you accept Bushman's conclusions on various issues, it is clear that Bushman himself has come historically to his conclusions. Very powerfull statement for an eminent historian.
Dissecting a paragraph on prayer, washings and annointings leading up to the 1836 Kirtland Temple dedication is illustrative. After a summary, each person involved is organized into groups (priests, bishops presidents etc.). Concise background connects mental states. Bushman conveys the visions and revelations. Each hammered paragraph a razor sharp sword of truth, accompanied by the Spirit of Christ. May I someday write like this.
This book does not attempt reader placement in contextual cultural affinity. The 1840's Latter-day Saints were persecuted, we are not. The Holocost Jews, read pogrom, are culturally atuned, and able to sympathize, we are not. Conveying instructions on getting revelation to unsympathetic readers like us was a challenge beyond comprehenson; study brings some understanding. Bushman has become sympathetic. His out-of-book descriptions of Lincoln defending on the Illinois circuit court clearly depict Bushmans cultural affinity. After three reads, I am becomming sympathetic. My wife calls me a bit crazy with the the 10 mile walks to Church, and baking bread from hand ground wheat, and almost loosing my job from sticking up for "no discussions of dating activities by the student interns at work". A good book should motivate action - maybe I should be less motivated (so she says).
The highest recommendation, this is what I would give this book. I A guide to me, it sits with Bushmans other books and essays. I seem better able to understand conference talks. I listened to N. Eldon Tanners talk on Christ from the 147th conference (1982). He went over the first vision. But it became clear Tanner was talking from personal revelation, relating the 1832 description of Joseph Smith. Characteristics of revelation I learned reading Bushmans book jumped out at me during Tanners' talk.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2011
★★★★★ 5
"Clearly the definitive biogrophy for generations to come."
Format: Hardcover
I have read many books about Joseph Smith the prophet, but none have been so informative and balanced as this one.
Some of what makes this so brilliant is the autor's choice to include as much information as possible - regardless of it's implications. Richard L. Bushman does not shy away from the controversial, presenting Joseph as somebody who I can finally relate to as a human being, rather than some kind of perfect "way up there" godlike being that Primary and Sunday School (intentionally or not) portray him.
It was a relief for me to read of Joseph's mistakes in addition to his many amazing accomoplishments as a prophet, mayor, general, presidential candidate and much more.
I love how honest Brother Bushman is in the book's preface: "A believing historian like myself cannot [...] pretend nothing personal is at stake. For a character as controversial as Smith, pure objectivity is impossible. What I can do is to look frankly at all the sides of Joseph Smith, facing up to his mistakes and flaws. Covering up errors makes no sense in any case. Most readers do not believe in, nor are they interested in, perfection. We want to meet a real person."
Brother Bushman has "undertaken to explore a side of Joseph Smith not adequately examined in other biogrophies: his religious thought." Thus, we are able to peer into the mind and thoughts of the prophet - to a degree never before accomplished.
What motivated him to make the choices he made? Why did he sometimes seem to "lie" in regards to poligamy, the danites, his political motivations, etc? Why was he so "secretive" of his past, the BOM translation, his early visions, etc? All of these and other questions are addressed and we are given a deeper understanding by peering into the mind and "religious thought" of the prophet.
For those wondering how much of Brother Bushman's previous work 'Joseph Smith and the beginnings of Mormonism' is contained in this work, he answers that in the preface: "Large portions of chapters 1, 2, 3 and 5" are recycled in this book.
I can't praise this book enough. I loved it so much that I bought a second copy to loan out to friends from church. (Yes, I am an active LDS.) I also bought a copy for my Dad for Christmas. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in a true and balanced history of Joseph Smith, the prophet. It is true that it shows "negative" sides to the prophet, but these are all very well documented and could not be ignored. I for one appreciate the inclusion of all the facts, not just the ones that place Joseph in a good light.
It is as historian Terry L. Givens states on the back cover: "Clearly the definitive biogrophy for generations to come. The most balanced, thorough, and insightful treatment to date--truly a masterful work."
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Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2005
★★★★★ 4
Good material for seminary class or testimony meeting, questionable history and biography
Format: Hardcover
Bushman' preface tells us that this "biography" is a "believers" perspective on Joseph Smith's life and time. Thus, Bushman's book is valuable as insight into how devout, believing, practicing Mormons view Joseph's life.
To me, as a "gentile", the book seems like great material for a seminary class or a testimony meeting. The basic Mormon "testimony" statement goes something like "I have a testimony of the truth of the Book of Mormon and that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God." I also imagine that this book might be good material for missionary training. But I have some problems with the historical scholarship. (See the end of my review.)
Regardless of my problems with Bushman's text, Joseph Smith is an interesting and complicated character. He has had a lasting impact, and fathered a religion that has members around the world. His life, as well as the religion and church he founded, is well worth studying. But then the same could be said of Ellen White, L. Ron Hubbard, Mary Baker Eddy, and many others.
Bushman does give us a valuable, well written (but at times tedious), insight into a believer's perspective on Joseph. But the value of this book as history and biography is problematic. When the historical evidence suggests conflicting interpretations, or negative interpretations, of Joseph, and exposes some of the "rough edges", Bushman never deviates from his testimony that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. Consequently Bushman always seems to be able to smooth the edges of this "rough stone rolling". In doing so there are some misrepresentations and omissions which diminish the value of this book as a serious study of Joseph's life and times.
Bushman has solved the biography problem for believing Mormons who have waited over 60 years for an alternative, and antidote, to Fawn Brodie's "No one Knows my History". But I don't think he has transcended Brodie's work.
If you are not a believing Mormon, a better introduction to Joseph Smith would be Robert Remini's short biography (182 pages), "Joseph Smith". Then tackle Bushman's tome (561 pages of text).
Problems with Bushmans text:
1. Bushman, as Mormon historians and General Authorities have done for over 100 years, misrepresents and distorts the perspective of Josiah Quincy. A century ago B. H. Roberts claimed that Quincy was "on our side". In the prologue (pp. 1-7), Bushman represents Quincy as a benign "puzzled skeptic". In fact Quincy saw Joseph and his religious movement as an "evil fanaticism" and likens Joseph to Thomas Muntzer (Mulhausen) and Jan van Leydon (Munster). This is clearly stated in the opening paragraph of Quincy's essay, along with comments about "demoralizing doctrines", "still darker revelations", and the assertion that Joseph's religion is "subversive of every duty which we claim from the citizen". ( For the significance of the references to Mulhausen and Munster see Norman Cohn, The Pursuit of the Millennium, pp. 234-280 and Anthony Arthur, The Tailor-King).
My concern is not with the merits of Quincy's essay. (You can read Quincy for yourself at [...]) Rather it is that Bushman's representation of Quincy as a benign "puzzled skeptic" is at best inaccurate. Quincy's puzzlement is of a very different nature than Bushman would have us believe. I think Quincy's statements might be closer to what Bushman call the "anti-Mormon argument" (p. 510). But Quincy's personal position on Joseph and his followers would be closer to Thomas Gregg's (p. 532).
There are three other misrepresentations of Quincy. Towards the end of the book, Bushman quotes Quincy as saying the Nauvoo temple architecture is "odd and striking"(p. 504). But Quincy also said the temple was "grotesque"! In short he was not favorably impressed. On page 522 Bushman says "Quincy was surprised to hear Joseph invite a Methodist to preach from a Mormon pulpit." In Quincy's text the Methodist minister was clearly surprised at the invitation. But Quincy does not reveal his reaction to this invitation. Given Quincy's descriptions of the banter between Joseph and the minister, I think it would be more appropriate to say Quincy was at best amused.
On page 560 Bushman says "Quincy saw in him `that kingly faculty that directs, as by intrinsic light." Bushman puts a period at the end of this quote when there should have been an ellipsis. The sentence concludes "the feeble or confused souls who are looking for guidance." Why did Bushman suggest that the sentence ended at "intrinsic light"? What was Quincy trying to say by this remark? Quincy clearly recognized Joseph as a natural and charismatic leader. While Quincy acknowledged Joseph's leadership strengths, this apparent compliment has to be tempered by the reference to "feeble or confused souls"? Also consider the Mulhausen and Munster references. I don't think that Quincy was in awe of Joseph, or impressed with Joseph in a positive way. Yet in the paragraph that contains this quote, Bushman is expressing his own sense of awe and marvel at Joseph's life and accomplishments. Bushman is entitled to his view of Joseph. But I don't think he is entitled to suggest that Quincy shared his view.
2. Bushman's discussion of the "View of the Hebrews" as a source for Joseph's writing the Book of Mormon (p. 96), fails to cite B. H. Roberts' extended essay documenting similarities between the two books. My concern is not with the merits of Roberts essay. The problem is that Bushman completely ignores Roberts essay in discussing this topic, as well as Roberts essay on archeological evidence for the Book of Mormon. (p. 92) (Roberts essays are published by Signature Books: "Studies of the Book of Mormon", 1985, [...])
I could cite more problems but I would greatly exceed what I think is the appropriate length for an Amazon review.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2006
★★★★★ 5
Like a freight train coming through...
Format: Paperback
I skimmed through a friend's paperback version and quickly realized that this book would require much more careful reading and study. I bought the Kindle version and spent 2 months carefully going through it. I honestly do not know how I missed this book when it came out and I'm embarrassed that it took me 7 years to find it.
Like most LDS readers and reviewers here, this completely different approach to the Prophet's history throws you off while at the same time sucking you in. What's amazing to me is the way that Bushman tackles head-on the "problems" and "difficulties" with LDS history. As my title suggests, Bushman is like a freight train coming through Church history and it is a very welcome middle ground to both the Church version and the anti-Mormon version. As someone who has studied this stuff extensively, there was so much new for me in the book. For example, although I knew about the Zions Camp March, I never had actually learned that the whole expedition was an attempt to take back Jackson County lands by military means.
Also present in the book are things that I've wondered but never been able to ask, such as all the different aspects of Joseph's practice of polygamy- including lying to Emma, sex with multiple wives, and marrying women who were already married. Bushman is unflinching and I feel this approach is vital for the internet age. As the "Joseph Smith Papers" continue to get published giving writers the good sources materials, I expect more of this open kind of historical inquiry to be written. Joseph's bad temper, his trusting of untrustworthy people, and his mismanagement of multiple situations need to be studied alongside his incredible accomplishments and daring.
I agree with Bushman, who quotes Yale scholar Harold Bloom, that the King Follet discourse is one of the best sermons ever delivered in America. Bushman has a whole section dedicated to this one discourse, the climax of Joseph's theology and given at a time when so many things were going wrong for Joseph. I also agree with Bushman that it is a mystery why the King Follet discourse has not been canonized by the Church since it is equal to or superior to many of the revelations currently in the Doctrine & Covenants.
Fantastic book and I would give it more stars if I could. The only drawback for me was that Bushman starts by describing Joseph's grandparents and parents before he gets to Joseph and this part bored me a little, but is important for putting Joseph in his historical context. Bushman's scholarly credentials are top-notch and LDS readers will be surprised at how the depth of Bushman's understanding of American history gives more meaning to early LDS church history. Although a patriarch and devout LDS member, Bushman is also one of the preeminent scholars of American history and it comes through in the book. I can see this being a huge benefit to non-Mormon readers who want to approach Joseph from a historical perspective than a believers' perspective.
If you like this, I highly recommend you also read the author's "On the Road with Joseph Smith" which is a diary of Bushman's experiences with the book before and after it's release. Also, read Terryl Given's books starting with "By the Hand of Mormon".
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Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2012