Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, a People of Promise

by Glen M. Leonard

This broad overview of the history of a rapidly growing city in western Illinois in the 1840s examines the doctrines and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Written to be enjoyed by a broad general audience, it explores the role of political unity, cooperative economics, and religious beliefs during a volatile time in Mormon history.

Genres: Lds, History, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Mormonism

828 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2002

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authority on the Nauvoo period

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

LDS Church Museum director Glen Leonard rethinks Nauvoo from 1839-1846. He also offers a brief treatment of Nauvoo’s life before and after Mormon settlement/occupation. Critics noted that he foregrounded peace in a story about violent expulsion (including the murder of their leader Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum), but it makes sense to do so in light of the perspectives of contemporary Mormons including Mary Fielding Smith (wife of Hyrum Smith) who took a New Testament view of rejoicing in being persecuted for the name of Christ (See 1 Peter 4:12-19). There is an eternal optimism in the faith and story of Nauvoo. Surely there are negative aspects and memories and an evolving commemoration of healing at play in Nauvoo and Carthage Jail, but peace was the aspiration of the place and promise the hope of the people who built it and departed therefrom.

This is a comprehensive approach to chronicling the spiritual underpinnings that shaped the community building, economic struggles, and political strains of building a Utopian community often at odds with the surrounding American frontier settlers. But the careful reader is rewarded with a thorough understanding and broad view of Nauvoo's history. If you pace yourself and have a desire to do a deep dive into Nauvoo's history, then this book will not disappoint.

[Richmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, for someone who has no real interest in Nauvoo, would be extremely dull. However, it was by far the best book I have ever read on the Nauvoo period, and in scholarship even surpassing B.H. Roberts' "The Rise and Fall of Nauvoo." (Which was also an excellent read about this time period in Mormon History.) I learned much about many characters in the period and area, and found the struggle to found and charter the city very interesting. I agree with what others have said, the book does get better toward the end, and it took me a while to get through, but I was glad I did. It is one I will likely revisit in the next few years.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would rank Leonard's Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, a People of Promise as one of the most important pieces of Mormon history to come out of Mormondom during the past twenty years. It, along with Bushman's, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, are instant classics. Though not as popular as Bushmans work (mostly because it's printed by Deseret Books, which is geared towards an LDS audience) it's just as viable. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read a good history by an excellent historian. Truly inspiring and will give you a lot of respect for a group of people who went onto build much of the American West.

[Patra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A worth read if you have a strong desire to learn about Nauvoo. It is a long book and the writer is determined to cover everything. I found it more interesting at the end of the book and I definitely learned a lot about the early years of the church and about Nauvoo. This book has inspired me to want to read more church history.

[Mzford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific resource for anyone wanting to know anything about Nauvoo from its earliest beginnings to nearly the present day with a focus on its people and culture. Written from economic, political and spiritual standpoints, it brings greater understanding to the trials and tribulations of the Church in its infancy.

[James Miller · Rating 1 out of 5]

I guess their wasn't anything technically bad about this book except that I found it so terrible uninteresting.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very thorough history of Nauvoo. The first many chapters were organized topically, then as the more compelling part of the story is reached, it proceeds chronologically. Again, very thorough.

[Andre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the newest and best histories of the Mormon city of Nauvoo in Illinois. A large and well researched and written book by an excellent LDS scholar.

[Mormon Heretic · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was interesting at times, interspersed with a lot of boring parts. I actually skipped several boring parts to find something more interesting.