A Man Without Doubt by Denver C. Snuffer Jr.

by Denver Carlos Snuffer Jr.

Smithsonian Magazine identified Joseph Smith as the most significant religious figure in American history. Yet he remains misunderstood by most Christians, primarily because his legacy has been regarded as Mormon property. In many ways his life mirrors the Apostle Paul. He belongs to the Christian community as much as St. Francis of Asisi, Luther, Tyndale, Wesley, Knox, Williams and Calvin. His worst critics were and are Mormons. They abused him, led mobs against him, conspired to have him imprisoned and ultimately murdered. Mormons have slandered his memory with false histories. Joseph declared to the Mormons in April 1844 (two months before he was murdered): “You don’t know me; you never knew my heart.” That audience and its descendants have been self-interested custodians of Joseph Smith’s legacy. This book separates him from the interests of any institution, and allows him to explain his heart, in his own words. When allowed to speak, he is very different from the Mormon version. This book covers Joseph Smith’s three watershed failures and his written responses. The historical stage is set; then he reacts to the trials. The three episodes The quest and failure to distribute priesthood, the quest and failure to establish a community called “Zion,” and his half-year imprisonment in Missouri. He has been vilified and praised as the founder of Mormonism. Over eighty-four different religious sects claim him as their founder. But he is seldom thought of as a Christian thinker, writer and preacher. He taught almost entirely from the Bible. Christians can benefit from knowing his struggle to follow Christ while facing discouraging opposition, betrayal by friends, mob violence, imprisonment and repeated failure. He responded with faith, hope and charity.

Paperback

Reviews

[Christopher Angulo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice small historical overviews to set up three important writings from Joseph Smith: Lectures on Faith, 1838 history, and a letter from Liberty jail. Snuffer also makes some interesting points about polygamy that I have never considered. The biggest push on this book is to read JS's writings more. O agree with that sentiment.

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful to put some of Smith's writings into proper context. However, I suspect Snuffer's views on Smith's polygamy, etc., are historically tenuous. Still, very interesting to read a different perspective on Joseph Smith. Smith was clearly gifted, steeped in the Bible, and religiously zealous. This by no means requires him to be right or a prophet. For the many who argue that the Book of Mormon must be from God since Smith was too incompetent to produce it, one only needs to point them to other works of Smith (D&C, Lectures on Faith, and so forth) and observe the same impassioned, biblically-allusive grandiloquence to see that the man was constantly producing works like the Book of Mormon all the time. He was more than competent.

At the end of the day, Paul's lament over the Jews applies to the Mormons:

"For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (Romans 10:2-3).

[Jesse Brereton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about a true Christian

I’ve been in a spiritual journey and awakening for some years now. This book has opened my mind to who Joseph Smith really is. He is a devout believer in Christ. I’m so grateful for this book.

[Jessica Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Fruit

Good honest book about Joseph Smiths life taken from Joseph Smiths own words. I hope many will read this book.