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American Crucifixion: The Murder of Joseph Smith and the Fate of the Mormon Church
On June 27, 1844, a mob stormed the jail in the dusty frontier town of Carthage, Illinois. Clamorous and angry, they were hunting down a man they saw as a grave threat to their otherwise quiet the founding prophet of Mormonism, Joseph Smith. They wanted blood.
At thirty-nine years old, Smith had already lived an outsized life. In addition to starting his own religion and creating his own “Golden Bible”—the Book of Mormon—he had worked as a water-dowser and treasure hunter. He'd led his people to Ohio, then Missouri, then Illinois, where he founded a city larger than fledgling Chicago. He was running for president. And, secretly, he had married more than thirty women.
In American Crucifixion , Alex Beam tells how Smith went from charismatic leader to public How his most seismic revelation—the doctrine of polygamy—created a rift among his people; how that schism turned to violence; and how, ultimately, Smith could not escape the consequences of his ambition and pride.
Mormonism is America's largest and most enduring native religion, and the “martyrdom” of Joseph Smith is one of its transformational events. Smith's brutal assassination propelled the Mormons to colonize the American West and claim their place in the mainstream of American history. American Crucifixion is a gripping story of scandal and violence, with deep roots in our national identity.
At thirty-nine years old, Smith had already lived an outsized life. In addition to starting his own religion and creating his own “Golden Bible”—the Book of Mormon—he had worked as a water-dowser and treasure hunter. He'd led his people to Ohio, then Missouri, then Illinois, where he founded a city larger than fledgling Chicago. He was running for president. And, secretly, he had married more than thirty women.
In American Crucifixion , Alex Beam tells how Smith went from charismatic leader to public How his most seismic revelation—the doctrine of polygamy—created a rift among his people; how that schism turned to violence; and how, ultimately, Smith could not escape the consequences of his ambition and pride.
Mormonism is America's largest and most enduring native religion, and the “martyrdom” of Joseph Smith is one of its transformational events. Smith's brutal assassination propelled the Mormons to colonize the American West and claim their place in the mainstream of American history. American Crucifixion is a gripping story of scandal and violence, with deep roots in our national identity.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
98 people are currently reading
1075 people want to read
About the author
Alex Beam
12 books83 followersI'm [still] a [part-time] columnist for the Boston Globe. Before that I worked as a business reporter in Los Angeles and Moscow. I've lived in Boston since 1984, and written for the newspaper since 1987. I'm working on my next book, about the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith. I wish I still resembled that handsome photo, taken about a decade ago. UPDATE: Finished the Joseph Smith book (obviously) and have started turning over soil for my next project. UPDATE: Finished that project, a short, sharp book called "The Feud: Vladimir Nabokov, Edmund Wilson, and the End of a Beautiful Friendship." UPDATE The Nabokov-Wilson book got lovely reviews, and now I am days away from handing in the ms for my seventh book, my fifth work of nonfiction, the (true) story of Mies van der Rohe and his girlfriend/client/tormentor, Dr. Edith Farnsworth, for whom he built the Farnsworth House. (Please Google it - famous, beautiful house) ) UPDATE I ghost-wrote a book sometime in here, but alas under conditions of strictest secrecy. It was quite successful and I'd be happpy to do that kind of work again. I follow my Goodreads reviews, and would like to offer a collective Thank You to the men and women, who -- without exception, as far as I can see -- have offered literate, unbiased reactions to my writing. Thanks!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
July 21, 2025
The author does a great job of delivering the facts and telling an unbiased narrative of the early Latter-day Saints (LDS) church and the events leading to the death (or martyrdom) of (the first Prophet, seer, and revelator) Joseph Smith. At the end of his life, he was being held in Carthage Jail in Illinois. He and his brother Hyrum came to their tragic end when a mob stormed the jail, shot, and killed them both on June, 27 1844.
I have read a lot about the LDS faith and I learned quite a few new things as they relate to the historical context of the church. Overall this was a great read. It was well-researched and fact driven giving you history in conjunction with some LDS doctrine and beliefs. I definitely recommend this book as a starting point if curious about the LDS church or have questions/doubts. You will definitely learn some things. Thanks!
I have read a lot about the LDS faith and I learned quite a few new things as they relate to the historical context of the church. Overall this was a great read. It was well-researched and fact driven giving you history in conjunction with some LDS doctrine and beliefs. I definitely recommend this book as a starting point if curious about the LDS church or have questions/doubts. You will definitely learn some things. Thanks!
May 7, 2016
Interesting take on the murder of the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith in Illinois which led to the successful migration of this sect to Utah.
One complaint I have with this book is that the author was extremely biased against the Mormons.
I didn't expect to find that Joseph Smith was a perfect man but surely he had good qualities as well as bad. If so the author failed repeatedly to address them.
The author could've done a bit more research as well as to the financial situation that led to Smith's death.
The Mormons were much more successful than the surrounding towns which was no doubt a large part of the Mormon animus related here.
How could they ever compete against the large and successful town of Nauvoo?
After murdering Smith the guilty no doubt expected to see the Mormons fall apart and go away.
Instead 2 years after the death of Smith the new Mormon leader Brigham Young, led the sect to a new home in Utah where they could live in safety and where they continue to prosper to this day.
One complaint I have with this book is that the author was extremely biased against the Mormons.
I didn't expect to find that Joseph Smith was a perfect man but surely he had good qualities as well as bad. If so the author failed repeatedly to address them.
The author could've done a bit more research as well as to the financial situation that led to Smith's death.
The Mormons were much more successful than the surrounding towns which was no doubt a large part of the Mormon animus related here.
How could they ever compete against the large and successful town of Nauvoo?
After murdering Smith the guilty no doubt expected to see the Mormons fall apart and go away.
Instead 2 years after the death of Smith the new Mormon leader Brigham Young, led the sect to a new home in Utah where they could live in safety and where they continue to prosper to this day.
January 29, 2024
The murder of Joseph Smith and how the Mormon Church reacted to the event has much to tell us about America at this critical time. There is a very detailed and horrific account of the murder of Joseph Smith in this book that forces the reader to reflect on deeper issues of religion and politics.
October 6, 2014
I'm sure this is not an easy topic for a historian to write about, but I thought Beam did a really good job. There are obviously a lot of conflicting reports about Joseph Smith and when there were differing accounts of events, Beam would include words like "allegedly" and he attempted to gauge the reliability of witnesses. For example some anti-Mormons were called scallywags and such. I've read a lot written by believers and it was fun to get a bit more socio-economic-political background on why there was so much hate of the early Mormons of the Nauvoo era. It wasn't just about religion any more than conflicts in the Middle East are today (religion is and was a big part, but not the whole story). There were some interesting anecdotes that I hadn't heard before, e.g. Joseph trying to sell military-grade flame throwers to the Tsar of Russia(!). If you want a faith promoting book, this is not it. If you want an anti-Mormon book saying that Joseph got what he deserved, this is not it. It's just a good history book that gives you plenty of room to dig further.
April 6, 2017
By any measure, he was a remarkable man. At a time in US history when religious passion was seizing hold of the American imagination, he was “the first prophet . . . to traffic in millenarian predictions, and he wasn’t the last. But he was the most successful.”
Joseph Smith, the eccentric “prophet” who conceived the Mormon religion in 1830, was uneducated, though he wrote a book that has been read by millions from that time forward. He was a down-to-earth man of the American frontier whose spellbinding oratory entranced thousands of followers and drew them into lifetime commitments to the faith he invented. While denying the existence of polygamy, he took dozens of “spiritual wives” and seduced numerous other women, many of them married. He had no discernible political credo, yet he was running for President of the United States when he was murdered by a mob at the age of 39, just 14 years after declaring himself a prophet.
Alex Beam’s American Crucifixion mixes history and biography in relating the entwined stories of Joseph Smith’s short life, his murder, and Mormonism’s early years. In approaching his subject without apparent biases, he skillfully paints a portrait of a complex man and the unlikely success of the strange religion he conjured into existence.
The Mormon religion in context
Consider this. People who adhere to one latter-day religion believe that supernatural souls called thetans created the world four quadrillion years ago. The faithful in another religion are taught that God — one of a dynasty of gods — lives close to a planet or star named Kolob. And both these beliefs are the cornerstones of elaborate science-fiction fantasies that challenge the imagination.
Today, an estimated 25,000 Americans identify themselves with the former of these two upstart religions, Scientology (though the Church claims 10 million members). By contrast, the other religion, the Mormonism of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, possesses a membership of around 15 million, with more than half outside the US, and the LDS church continues to grow rapidly through aggressive proselytization and a high birthrate.
Why would two modern-day faith systems have such disparate track records despite their similar roots in the ravings of men who were clearly unbalanced, L. Ron Hubbard and Joseph Smith?
Don’t get me wrong. I bear no malice toward the LDS Church (more popularly known as the Mormons, of course), although I truly despise Scientology, which has been a scam from the start and has destroyed thousands of lives. I don’t feel much differently about Mormonism than I do about Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, or just about any other religion in today’s world. To my mind, all organized religion is institutionalized superstition.
But isn’t it puzzling why one improbable fantasy would attract millions of adherents while another fizzles? If you can figure it out, please write me.
Joseph Smith, the eccentric “prophet” who conceived the Mormon religion in 1830, was uneducated, though he wrote a book that has been read by millions from that time forward. He was a down-to-earth man of the American frontier whose spellbinding oratory entranced thousands of followers and drew them into lifetime commitments to the faith he invented. While denying the existence of polygamy, he took dozens of “spiritual wives” and seduced numerous other women, many of them married. He had no discernible political credo, yet he was running for President of the United States when he was murdered by a mob at the age of 39, just 14 years after declaring himself a prophet.
Alex Beam’s American Crucifixion mixes history and biography in relating the entwined stories of Joseph Smith’s short life, his murder, and Mormonism’s early years. In approaching his subject without apparent biases, he skillfully paints a portrait of a complex man and the unlikely success of the strange religion he conjured into existence.
The Mormon religion in context
Consider this. People who adhere to one latter-day religion believe that supernatural souls called thetans created the world four quadrillion years ago. The faithful in another religion are taught that God — one of a dynasty of gods — lives close to a planet or star named Kolob. And both these beliefs are the cornerstones of elaborate science-fiction fantasies that challenge the imagination.
Today, an estimated 25,000 Americans identify themselves with the former of these two upstart religions, Scientology (though the Church claims 10 million members). By contrast, the other religion, the Mormonism of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, possesses a membership of around 15 million, with more than half outside the US, and the LDS church continues to grow rapidly through aggressive proselytization and a high birthrate.
Why would two modern-day faith systems have such disparate track records despite their similar roots in the ravings of men who were clearly unbalanced, L. Ron Hubbard and Joseph Smith?
Don’t get me wrong. I bear no malice toward the LDS Church (more popularly known as the Mormons, of course), although I truly despise Scientology, which has been a scam from the start and has destroyed thousands of lives. I don’t feel much differently about Mormonism than I do about Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, or just about any other religion in today’s world. To my mind, all organized religion is institutionalized superstition.
But isn’t it puzzling why one improbable fantasy would attract millions of adherents while another fizzles? If you can figure it out, please write me.
December 2, 2014
It can often be a humbling experience to ask for, or even to stumble upon, an outsiders view of something that you hold dear. This was what happened to me when reading Alex Beam's book "American Crucifixion: The Murder of Joseph Smith and the Fate of the Mormon Church".
In "American Crucifixion" Alex Beam explores a narrow window of Mormon history when the faithful Mormon believers escaped from Missouri to Nauvoo. He also examines the events surrounding the eventual murder of Joseph Smith, and describes the succession crisis after the death of the prophet.
Mr. Beam uses a variety of historical sources including journals, news reports, first person accounts, as well as information from Mormon historians to weave this compelling tale of the events that surrounded Joseph Smiths death.
As a practicing Mormon there were many moments when I found that the reality presented in the book clashed with the white-washed version of events that are presented by the church in their publications. For example, Joseph Smith's duplicity, hubris, and the secretive nature of polygamy\polyandry was a bit of a shock to read.
I was not able to detect any form of bias or agenda in the authors narrative, which is often common when someone writes about a person like Joseph Smith. Instead, Alex Beam attempts to paint a neutral retelling of events. There are, for example, several moments when he presents multiple viewpoints of the same event if there are historical sources that contradict the same moment in time.
Overall, I found "American Crucifixion: The Murder of Joseph Smith and the Fate of the Mormon Church" to be a disturbing (in the case of polygamy\polyandry) and moving (when the author narrates the events in Carthage and the death of Joseph Smith) novel.
In "American Crucifixion" Alex Beam explores a narrow window of Mormon history when the faithful Mormon believers escaped from Missouri to Nauvoo. He also examines the events surrounding the eventual murder of Joseph Smith, and describes the succession crisis after the death of the prophet.
Mr. Beam uses a variety of historical sources including journals, news reports, first person accounts, as well as information from Mormon historians to weave this compelling tale of the events that surrounded Joseph Smiths death.
As a practicing Mormon there were many moments when I found that the reality presented in the book clashed with the white-washed version of events that are presented by the church in their publications. For example, Joseph Smith's duplicity, hubris, and the secretive nature of polygamy\polyandry was a bit of a shock to read.
I was not able to detect any form of bias or agenda in the authors narrative, which is often common when someone writes about a person like Joseph Smith. Instead, Alex Beam attempts to paint a neutral retelling of events. There are, for example, several moments when he presents multiple viewpoints of the same event if there are historical sources that contradict the same moment in time.
Overall, I found "American Crucifixion: The Murder of Joseph Smith and the Fate of the Mormon Church" to be a disturbing (in the case of polygamy\polyandry) and moving (when the author narrates the events in Carthage and the death of Joseph Smith) novel.
November 25, 2013
Thank you to Perseus Books Group and Netgalley for the ARC!
What other books on Mormon history (written from outside the fold, anyway) pass over in a few terse paragraphs, Alex Beam expands. In this delightfully well-researched, well-documented, and well-written account, both the lead-up and the fallout to the events at the Carthage jail are brought to fore. I especially enjoyed reading about all of the haranguing and bitter diatribes exchanged via the independent press in and around Nauvoo!
Beam's tone throughout the narrative is pitch perfect, and the book is extremely readable. Although he assumes a certain amount of historical knowledge from his readers, basics of Mormon faith and practice are explained well enough that even a newcomer to the story will have no problem.
If you're interested in suggestions on books regarding issues of the faith, feel free to let me know. I'd be happy to make suggestions.
Full disclosure: I'm not a Mormon but for a variety of reasons, I have studied the sect indepth from an Evangelical perspective, and I've read many books about Mormon history, theology, and culture written by both Mormons and Gentiles. Beam's book proved an excellent addition.
What other books on Mormon history (written from outside the fold, anyway) pass over in a few terse paragraphs, Alex Beam expands. In this delightfully well-researched, well-documented, and well-written account, both the lead-up and the fallout to the events at the Carthage jail are brought to fore. I especially enjoyed reading about all of the haranguing and bitter diatribes exchanged via the independent press in and around Nauvoo!
Beam's tone throughout the narrative is pitch perfect, and the book is extremely readable. Although he assumes a certain amount of historical knowledge from his readers, basics of Mormon faith and practice are explained well enough that even a newcomer to the story will have no problem.
If you're interested in suggestions on books regarding issues of the faith, feel free to let me know. I'd be happy to make suggestions.
Full disclosure: I'm not a Mormon but for a variety of reasons, I have studied the sect indepth from an Evangelical perspective, and I've read many books about Mormon history, theology, and culture written by both Mormons and Gentiles. Beam's book proved an excellent addition.
July 23, 2014
This book is plagued with several problems. A negative and somewhat dishonest picture is painted of Joseph. He is almost portrayed as a sex-crazed megalomaniac. The author has his obvious biases, but much worse, the reader is severely handicapped with no footnotes to check the source of the author's claims stated as historical facts. The reader had no way of knowing if the source was a late recollection, what his motivations were, or whether it was first, second, third, or fourth-hand. The reader can check the appendix for some of the claims, but none are primary sources. Readers who are not extremely familiar with this time period and the historical record behind different narratives are severely disadvantaged. This is especially problematic for subjects where source credibility and quality is critical.
It's a relatively short read and isn't the most comprehensive look at the reasons for and context surrounding his death. The author is an outsider and newcomer to Mormonism, so you can't expect Quinn-type of detail and analysis.
Nonetheless, it was still a moderately entertaining book, and I enjoy reading other perspectives, especially about Nauvoo. It reads more like a non-fiction book of characters with descriptive scenery, which gave it a unique feel.
It's a relatively short read and isn't the most comprehensive look at the reasons for and context surrounding his death. The author is an outsider and newcomer to Mormonism, so you can't expect Quinn-type of detail and analysis.
Nonetheless, it was still a moderately entertaining book, and I enjoy reading other perspectives, especially about Nauvoo. It reads more like a non-fiction book of characters with descriptive scenery, which gave it a unique feel.
November 9, 2014
It's a tricky topic and may offend a Mormon who hasn't been exposed to some of the skeletons from Mormonism's early closets. Beam's outsider's perspective gave the book a balanced tone, covering crap that both sides pulled. It was really an ugly time with a lot of hate. It amazes me the things that people can do to each other. And the things that people can endure.
September 11, 2015
That was incredible. I laughed so much it hurt. Well done Mr. Beam.
This book gives people a quick run through of Joseph Smith's life. (Yes, magic hats and Golden plates, endless young brides and all.)
But the book zero's in on Smith's last few months and death. It's fascinating watching folks blindly follow a supposed prophet by any means possible - even across a few states and through numerous sex scandals and financial embarrassments.
The facts and historical recordings in this book are exceptional. The acknowledgments and footnotes will have you laughing as well as the comedy. It makes me giggle whenever I come across the phrase "Mormon scholar or Mormon historian". You would think they would desperately want to hide much of this foolery. And yet for some reason they are proud of it.
To be fair: it doesn't say in the Bible that prophets need to be perfect, but there is a level of decency that should present itself. Maybe honesty is near the top of that list. We can easily tell from these accounts that Joseph Smith was not honest about the ladies and business practices he pursued. (Or anything he said about the Bible.) The weird part is that I think Joseph actually believed his own lies... hint, almost all false prophets do. And YES, we have numerous ones around today as well - anybody seen Todd Bentley or Benny Hinn lately? Same crap different pile, but it all smells the same.
IT was fun hearing the specific details about Smith's shootout and murder. He did not die as a noble martyr. Him and his boys were shooting back were they not??? He died like any polygamous con-artist and false preacher: believing his lies right to the very end. Hint: Just because people believe something does not make it true.
Thanks Alex Beam for laying all this out for us to enjoy. It was a delightful fast paced read. I was impressed that you restrained yourself from adding too many personal comments - I wouldn't be able to resist the mockery.
____________________________________________________________________
It's endlessly fun observing how people can have all of this information about history and yet still pretend that Joseph Smith is a prophet sent by God. Even with all the lunacy around his life and pronouncements people still buy into the whole package. What is that wonderful bit the Bible says about Discernment:
1 John 4:1 - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
OF course, when it comes to Joseph Smith and his early followers: it isn't even a matter of testing the spirits. Just read your Bible and laugh at their ludicrous claims and blasphemes. History shows us everything.
Now someone needs to do the same thing with Buddha and Muhammad.
This book gives people a quick run through of Joseph Smith's life. (Yes, magic hats and Golden plates, endless young brides and all.)
But the book zero's in on Smith's last few months and death. It's fascinating watching folks blindly follow a supposed prophet by any means possible - even across a few states and through numerous sex scandals and financial embarrassments.
The facts and historical recordings in this book are exceptional. The acknowledgments and footnotes will have you laughing as well as the comedy. It makes me giggle whenever I come across the phrase "Mormon scholar or Mormon historian". You would think they would desperately want to hide much of this foolery. And yet for some reason they are proud of it.
To be fair: it doesn't say in the Bible that prophets need to be perfect, but there is a level of decency that should present itself. Maybe honesty is near the top of that list. We can easily tell from these accounts that Joseph Smith was not honest about the ladies and business practices he pursued. (Or anything he said about the Bible.) The weird part is that I think Joseph actually believed his own lies... hint, almost all false prophets do. And YES, we have numerous ones around today as well - anybody seen Todd Bentley or Benny Hinn lately? Same crap different pile, but it all smells the same.
IT was fun hearing the specific details about Smith's shootout and murder. He did not die as a noble martyr. Him and his boys were shooting back were they not??? He died like any polygamous con-artist and false preacher: believing his lies right to the very end. Hint: Just because people believe something does not make it true.
Thanks Alex Beam for laying all this out for us to enjoy. It was a delightful fast paced read. I was impressed that you restrained yourself from adding too many personal comments - I wouldn't be able to resist the mockery.
____________________________________________________________________
It's endlessly fun observing how people can have all of this information about history and yet still pretend that Joseph Smith is a prophet sent by God. Even with all the lunacy around his life and pronouncements people still buy into the whole package. What is that wonderful bit the Bible says about Discernment:
1 John 4:1 - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
OF course, when it comes to Joseph Smith and his early followers: it isn't even a matter of testing the spirits. Just read your Bible and laugh at their ludicrous claims and blasphemes. History shows us everything.
Now someone needs to do the same thing with Buddha and Muhammad.
October 14, 2014
Having never read or heard anything about Joe Smith outside the realm of Mormonism, this account of his life and the early days of Mormons was pretty intense and wild, compared to the reverence and subtlety I was taught about him when I was a kid. I wonder how much of the book I can trust as a reliable source... Even though most of the stories are first hand accounts, I'm sure they were a bit skewed by the fact that most of the people they got information from hated the latter-day-saints, so they probably embellished and inflated their stories out of disdain. Otherwise it was an interesting history to read about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2020
An excellent fact-gathering and analysis of the murder of Joseph Smith. It's very well-written and unbiased. As an Ex-Mormon, I enjoyed the honesty of the subject's faults (Joseph Smith was anything but innocent, was a lawbreaker, and predator), while also acknowledging that he didn't have a fair trial before his death, and that it was permitted to happen by those who should have protected him before the trial. It covers some of the aftermath as well, the pain the Saints felt to lose their prophet, and the evolution of the church after his death. I found it safe enough to give to my Mormon mother, who is usually a bit offended and untrusting of anything she considers "Anti-Mormon," even if it's accurate history of the church. The book is empathetic enough of the experience of the saints that I think it is safe for LDS members to read. However, it doesn't hide the dark side of early Mormonism which can also help them gain some perspective about why members like me decided to resign. It is also not an "apologetic" book and does not state myth as fact (as, for example, Rough Stone Rolling does, which I found unbearable). It words Joseph's so-called spiritual visions and experiences as "claims," rather than factual experiences. As a former extremely knowledgeable member, I know that some books written by outsiders are inaccurate about certain points in the doctrine of the church, which makes their books seem less trustworthy; I never felt that way about this book. It seems to be excellently researched and reviewed either by a church member or former member for accuracy before publication.
May 9, 2014
This book misses the mark - although accurate it never seems to actually adequately tie the title into the book even though there are remarkable possibilities that could have been significant and powerful... However speak to what the book is - it is a general discussion of the assassination of Joseph Smith and that is all - it doesn't add any new insight to the topic and unique perspectives or even facts laid out in a provocative and entertaining way - it is just a synopsis of events... Wouldn't recommend for any read on any interest level of the topic - spiritual or academic. Plus - it is always disappointing when you start to notice spelling errors in the text by the end of the book.
August 31, 2015
Nothing new in this book but a riveting narrative of the events that lead to Joseph smith destroying the press. Which lead him to jail and murdered. For Mormons who only read the correlated version of this story this book may have new disturbing information, like instances of coerced polygamy. Send men on mission to marry there wives. When I was growing up Mormon I heard he destroyed the press because of slander. That's not true he destroyed it because there was accurate information about Joseph being crowned king of the world in a secret meeting, and an accurate list of his plural wives he met. This is a tragic story of a cult leaders murder.
August 25, 2014
As a Mormon I appreciated having a well researched outsider's perspective on what lead to the Carthage assassinations. I believe it could have been avoided but I also see that JS wasn't the blameless figure portrayed in Church manuals. "Joseph Smith" by Robert Remini is also a very good (more positive), well researched and more balanced portrayal of JS.
September 29, 2014
This book is a very fair and historically accurate account of the murder of Joseph Smith, a pivotal event in American history that author Alex Beam felt has long been overlooked by historical scholars. And though it also presents a fair narrative on the origins of the Mormon faith, the murder itself, and the year or so leading up to it, is the real focus of the book.
Key to this story is Nauvoo, a city that quickly grew to the largest city in Illinois, capable of wielding enormous political influence. Smith, due to the quite generous Nauvoo charter, ran what was essentially a benign dictatorship and turned the area from a malarial swamp into a prosperous city. It was also in Nauvoo that he would introduce doctrines that set his faith apart from other Christian sects and, in some cases, furthered the animosity between the Mormons and their neighbors. The most provocative of these was his secret introduction of polygamy, a practice he publicly denied and publicly forbade. Only Smith and his closest associates participated in the secret practice. But it was a poorly kept secret and the revelation triggered the disaffection of many other close associates. Together, these ‘apostates’ formed an anti-Mormon newspaper, designed to expose what they believed to be the fraudulent character of Joseph Smith. Ironically, many of them still considered themselves Mormons and only felt that Smith’s unmitigated power had gone to his head, manifesting itself with such licentious behavior. When Smith ordered the destruction of the printing press, this blatant violation of freedom of the press lead to his arrest in Carthage. His arrest set off an enormous influx of Mormon-hating mobs and militias to Carthage. Together, with the inept leadership of Governor Ford (historically vilified by the Mormon faithful and not faring much better in this story), Smith’s fate was sealed. At only 39 years old, the mob stormed Carthage jail and murdered Joseph and his brother Hyrum Smith. The murders were not convicted and the Church, and American history, was forever changed.
There are some great new insights in this book that I was unaware of. Though I knew of wife’s Emma Smith’s abhorrence of polygamy, I had no idea the level of her disdain. She believed the revelation to be of the devil and, in her disgust, even pushed one of Smith’s pregnant plural wives down the stairs, contributing to her miscarriage. For the rest of her life, she attempted to re-write history by denying that it ever existed. But one easily forgives her this dishonestly after witnessing the humiliation she truly endured. The trial of Smith’s murderers was a ridiculous farce, even for the lax frontier court standards of the times. And the true ambition of Joseph Smith was well and fairly documented as well, warts and all. For all his talent and intelligence, he was by no means a humble man and his arrogance at times is unsettling. He is at times vain and egotistical and his staggering hypocrisy regarding polygamy is disturbing. But at the same time, his charisma, magnetism and influence cannot be overstated. He is a much more complex and fascinating man than either the Mormon faithful or those that ridicule and hold the church in contempt, present.
And that is why Beam’s book is so welcome to the canon on Mormon history: it is not a script for the faithful, written to build spiritual faith rather than expose history; neither is it an anti-Mormon screed designed to expose the hoaxes of a talented charlatan. This book is likely to not change any minds, regardless of which side of the fence of Mormonism one inhabits. Instead, it is a fair, though not un-critical, evaluation of a fundamental moment in American history.
Key to this story is Nauvoo, a city that quickly grew to the largest city in Illinois, capable of wielding enormous political influence. Smith, due to the quite generous Nauvoo charter, ran what was essentially a benign dictatorship and turned the area from a malarial swamp into a prosperous city. It was also in Nauvoo that he would introduce doctrines that set his faith apart from other Christian sects and, in some cases, furthered the animosity between the Mormons and their neighbors. The most provocative of these was his secret introduction of polygamy, a practice he publicly denied and publicly forbade. Only Smith and his closest associates participated in the secret practice. But it was a poorly kept secret and the revelation triggered the disaffection of many other close associates. Together, these ‘apostates’ formed an anti-Mormon newspaper, designed to expose what they believed to be the fraudulent character of Joseph Smith. Ironically, many of them still considered themselves Mormons and only felt that Smith’s unmitigated power had gone to his head, manifesting itself with such licentious behavior. When Smith ordered the destruction of the printing press, this blatant violation of freedom of the press lead to his arrest in Carthage. His arrest set off an enormous influx of Mormon-hating mobs and militias to Carthage. Together, with the inept leadership of Governor Ford (historically vilified by the Mormon faithful and not faring much better in this story), Smith’s fate was sealed. At only 39 years old, the mob stormed Carthage jail and murdered Joseph and his brother Hyrum Smith. The murders were not convicted and the Church, and American history, was forever changed.
There are some great new insights in this book that I was unaware of. Though I knew of wife’s Emma Smith’s abhorrence of polygamy, I had no idea the level of her disdain. She believed the revelation to be of the devil and, in her disgust, even pushed one of Smith’s pregnant plural wives down the stairs, contributing to her miscarriage. For the rest of her life, she attempted to re-write history by denying that it ever existed. But one easily forgives her this dishonestly after witnessing the humiliation she truly endured. The trial of Smith’s murderers was a ridiculous farce, even for the lax frontier court standards of the times. And the true ambition of Joseph Smith was well and fairly documented as well, warts and all. For all his talent and intelligence, he was by no means a humble man and his arrogance at times is unsettling. He is at times vain and egotistical and his staggering hypocrisy regarding polygamy is disturbing. But at the same time, his charisma, magnetism and influence cannot be overstated. He is a much more complex and fascinating man than either the Mormon faithful or those that ridicule and hold the church in contempt, present.
And that is why Beam’s book is so welcome to the canon on Mormon history: it is not a script for the faithful, written to build spiritual faith rather than expose history; neither is it an anti-Mormon screed designed to expose the hoaxes of a talented charlatan. This book is likely to not change any minds, regardless of which side of the fence of Mormonism one inhabits. Instead, it is a fair, though not un-critical, evaluation of a fundamental moment in American history.
July 8, 2014
Alex Beam offers an unvarnished, or white washed history of Joseph Smith.
Being part of the in-group is a part of most humans and we love to be in on the "secret". To know, or think we are in the know. Joseph Smith provided what several people were seeking during the Second Great Awakening, preparation for a new world order and the 2nd coming of Christ. The only two things he asked converts to believe was the truth of the Book of Mormon and that he was a prophet.
There was actually much more that Joseph required of the faithful.
The secrets abounded: 1. Danites, 2. Secret Quorum of the Anointed, 3. Secret Council of Fifty (notes still undisclosed), 4. polygamy 5. polyandry (marriage to already married woman with living husbands...and consummated, for Joseph Smith. 6. Second Anointings (religious ritual that Joseph said would confer eternal life).
I cringe and rage that young woman under the foster care of the Smith's were put in the position to marry Joseph clandestinely for two months in a lie to Emma. These young girls had names: Sarah and Maria Lawrence, Emily and Eliza Partridge, and Lucy Walker. I can only imagine the situation of being propositioned where you have no other real options. The use of scripture to threaten the life of your wife: D & C 132:54. Calling women whores that declined Joseph's proposals when they were made public.
Beam goes into the real history of the martyrdom at Carthage and the subsequent confusion and splintering of the church for those vying for leadership. One of the most telling paragraphs that is an accepted story in L.D.S. Church history: "Brigham's mystical "transfiguration" deserves to be treated skeptically. Historian Richard Van Wagoner noted that Orson Hyde's dramatic testimony of the August 8 events could not be his own; on presidential assignment in "Babylon," Hyde didn't return to Nauvoo until August 13. Mormon elder John D. Lee likewise left a dramatic account ("Brigham Young arose and roared like a young lion, imitating the style and voice of Joseph the Prophet"), but he wasn't in Nauvoo, either. Lee arrived in Nauvoo on August 20." p. 241
The mental gymnastics of Emma Smith are rather depressing. She was made a fool of on a regular basis and was able to convince one of her sons that she was Joseph's only wife. One of the footnotes for the interview that Joseph Smith III did with Emma stated that Melissa Lott Wiles told him that Emma would have answered more truthfully if the interview had not been conducted in front of her husband, Mr. Bidamon. Emma's son David was said to have mental issues due to the truth about his father, "A certain irony attends David's supposed institutionalization for believing the truth, whereas Joseph III engaged a full and prosperous life while nurturing his misguided idee fixe." . 271
People entrust their lives and the lives of their family to the L.D.S. church. Also, their time and finances, and their hopes for eternity. It behooves everyone intrusted on making these important life decisions to have a clear picture of the history of the church. I think this book may be of use in that end.
Being part of the in-group is a part of most humans and we love to be in on the "secret". To know, or think we are in the know. Joseph Smith provided what several people were seeking during the Second Great Awakening, preparation for a new world order and the 2nd coming of Christ. The only two things he asked converts to believe was the truth of the Book of Mormon and that he was a prophet.
There was actually much more that Joseph required of the faithful.
The secrets abounded: 1. Danites, 2. Secret Quorum of the Anointed, 3. Secret Council of Fifty (notes still undisclosed), 4. polygamy 5. polyandry (marriage to already married woman with living husbands...and consummated, for Joseph Smith. 6. Second Anointings (religious ritual that Joseph said would confer eternal life).
I cringe and rage that young woman under the foster care of the Smith's were put in the position to marry Joseph clandestinely for two months in a lie to Emma. These young girls had names: Sarah and Maria Lawrence, Emily and Eliza Partridge, and Lucy Walker. I can only imagine the situation of being propositioned where you have no other real options. The use of scripture to threaten the life of your wife: D & C 132:54. Calling women whores that declined Joseph's proposals when they were made public.
Beam goes into the real history of the martyrdom at Carthage and the subsequent confusion and splintering of the church for those vying for leadership. One of the most telling paragraphs that is an accepted story in L.D.S. Church history: "Brigham's mystical "transfiguration" deserves to be treated skeptically. Historian Richard Van Wagoner noted that Orson Hyde's dramatic testimony of the August 8 events could not be his own; on presidential assignment in "Babylon," Hyde didn't return to Nauvoo until August 13. Mormon elder John D. Lee likewise left a dramatic account ("Brigham Young arose and roared like a young lion, imitating the style and voice of Joseph the Prophet"), but he wasn't in Nauvoo, either. Lee arrived in Nauvoo on August 20." p. 241
The mental gymnastics of Emma Smith are rather depressing. She was made a fool of on a regular basis and was able to convince one of her sons that she was Joseph's only wife. One of the footnotes for the interview that Joseph Smith III did with Emma stated that Melissa Lott Wiles told him that Emma would have answered more truthfully if the interview had not been conducted in front of her husband, Mr. Bidamon. Emma's son David was said to have mental issues due to the truth about his father, "A certain irony attends David's supposed institutionalization for believing the truth, whereas Joseph III engaged a full and prosperous life while nurturing his misguided idee fixe." . 271
People entrust their lives and the lives of their family to the L.D.S. church. Also, their time and finances, and their hopes for eternity. It behooves everyone intrusted on making these important life decisions to have a clear picture of the history of the church. I think this book may be of use in that end.
September 4, 2014
Very disappointing. I went in expecting a very skeptical, non-LDS viewpoint, but I feel the author approached the topic very one-sidedly and treated his biases as clear-eyed truth. In albeit a much shorter treatment of a few pages, someone like Walter McDougall still expresses the outside disbelief in Joseph Smith's claims and deals with topics like revelation, politics, money, and polygamy, but doesn't evince a sneering disdain for anyone who thinks differently. He also shows some appreciation for the positive effects of the religion. Beam's book is written in a mocking, intellectually superior tone. Saying thank you in the afterword to some LDS historians doesn't change the choice to be snide.
This is not "anti-Mormon" in some sense of trying to convince anyone about what religions to join or not join. The author is definitely trying to write a historical account. However, the entire account is approached through the viewpoint of Joseph Smith was a lying, lascivious huckster and anyone who believes differently is stupid and/or naive. All LDS figures' quotes are framed with non-neutral language: claimed, bragged, dragged out the trope of..., came up with, etc. Critics of Joseph Smith and the LDS church are much more frequently treated as objective and credible. Beam includes some token mentions of the biases of many of the Hancock County leaders and church dissidents, but does not try to show objectivity. He cites negative information about the Smith and the LDS church as if fact without sourcing it in text with even a footnote. The appendix in the back attributes many of the quotes, but he is completely uncritical of the majority of negative sources--almost all secondhand sources--while making sure to always explain that the LDS sources are untrustworthy. Beam also calls Mormons things like "blood thirsty" and other insults that are his own editorial framing devices. Or he throws out "The Book of Mormon is written in horrible, stilting prose" and then quotes Mark Twain's funny quote about "And it came to pass." This is purporting to be a history and it's obvious the man read very little of the actual book. The little editorial choices like that come every page.
So he concludes that Smith's death was an obvious mob murder, and that the trial of some mobbers was a sham, but Smith, Brigham Young, and all Mormon leaders were power-hungry liars while the mobbers were generally respectable men.
Beam also makes semi-frequent basic errors about theology and geography, which are a bigger deal when you're writing a very critical account.
I actually learned some facts I didn't know, while also reading others that I believe to be false despite claims by individual Smith critics. I'm still looking for an outsider's perspective on Joseph Smith, polygamy, Nauvoo, and his death that isn't a 300+ page, backhanded insult. Meh.
Edit: (I see that many other reviewers find the book "balanced," "unbiased," or "unvarnished." I have obvious biases being a member of the LDS church, so your mileage may vary.)
This is not "anti-Mormon" in some sense of trying to convince anyone about what religions to join or not join. The author is definitely trying to write a historical account. However, the entire account is approached through the viewpoint of Joseph Smith was a lying, lascivious huckster and anyone who believes differently is stupid and/or naive. All LDS figures' quotes are framed with non-neutral language: claimed, bragged, dragged out the trope of..., came up with, etc. Critics of Joseph Smith and the LDS church are much more frequently treated as objective and credible. Beam includes some token mentions of the biases of many of the Hancock County leaders and church dissidents, but does not try to show objectivity. He cites negative information about the Smith and the LDS church as if fact without sourcing it in text with even a footnote. The appendix in the back attributes many of the quotes, but he is completely uncritical of the majority of negative sources--almost all secondhand sources--while making sure to always explain that the LDS sources are untrustworthy. Beam also calls Mormons things like "blood thirsty" and other insults that are his own editorial framing devices. Or he throws out "The Book of Mormon is written in horrible, stilting prose" and then quotes Mark Twain's funny quote about "And it came to pass." This is purporting to be a history and it's obvious the man read very little of the actual book. The little editorial choices like that come every page.
So he concludes that Smith's death was an obvious mob murder, and that the trial of some mobbers was a sham, but Smith, Brigham Young, and all Mormon leaders were power-hungry liars while the mobbers were generally respectable men.
Beam also makes semi-frequent basic errors about theology and geography, which are a bigger deal when you're writing a very critical account.
I actually learned some facts I didn't know, while also reading others that I believe to be false despite claims by individual Smith critics. I'm still looking for an outsider's perspective on Joseph Smith, polygamy, Nauvoo, and his death that isn't a 300+ page, backhanded insult. Meh.
Edit: (I see that many other reviewers find the book "balanced," "unbiased," or "unvarnished." I have obvious biases being a member of the LDS church, so your mileage may vary.)
February 18, 2014
The best thing that I can say about this book is that it is (or appears to be) and unvarnished history of the beginnings of the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ and Later Day Saints, LDS). It centers on the founder Joseph Smith and the time the church was located in Nauvoo Illinois.
The book starts with a short history of Joseph Smith and his life, before and after he finds the “Moroni” tablets in Upstate New York, and the translation of the tablets. Give kudos to Alex Beam that he doesn’t present the history of Smith as a humble man who has been picked by God to bring ‘His Word’ to the People. In his early days Smith was known as having been a man who didn’t always recognize the truth and had a habit of embellishing the truth.
The early church was located near Rochester New York, but moved to Indiana then Missouri and final to Nauvoo Illinois. Joseph and his followers had a habit of angering the local Christian population and were run out of Missouri without any recourse to the loss of their property. In fact there was a warrant out for Joseph for murder.
The land that Joseph bought around Nauvoo turned out to be a marsh but with the whole Mormon community working together they were able to drain the land and make it productive. This didn’t sit well with their Hancock County neighbors, more out of envy than anything else. At one point with twelve thousand Saints, Nauvoo was the largest town in Illinois. Many of the ‘gentiles’ (as non-Mormons were called) felt that they were being treated poorly by the Saints. They accused the Saints of stealing cattle and passing counterfeit money.
Once stories of ‘polygamy’ began to circulate (though denied by Smith and his followers) relations with the gentiles deteriorated to the point that there were Anti-Mormon parties organized in all the local towns. Eventually this led to the arrest of Joseph and his brother Hyrum and two other followers. While in jail, the local militia formed a mob and attacked the jail killing Joseph and Hyrum. Needless to say no one was ever convicted of the murder.
With the death of Joseph, there was a split among Brigham Young and Smith’s family over who should lead the Church. Joseph Smith III took his section of the newly named Reorganized Church of LDS to Wisconsin, while Young took the rest to Utah where they practice polygamy until the time that Utah joined the Union.
Well written and balanced story.
Zeb Kantrowitz
The book starts with a short history of Joseph Smith and his life, before and after he finds the “Moroni” tablets in Upstate New York, and the translation of the tablets. Give kudos to Alex Beam that he doesn’t present the history of Smith as a humble man who has been picked by God to bring ‘His Word’ to the People. In his early days Smith was known as having been a man who didn’t always recognize the truth and had a habit of embellishing the truth.
The early church was located near Rochester New York, but moved to Indiana then Missouri and final to Nauvoo Illinois. Joseph and his followers had a habit of angering the local Christian population and were run out of Missouri without any recourse to the loss of their property. In fact there was a warrant out for Joseph for murder.
The land that Joseph bought around Nauvoo turned out to be a marsh but with the whole Mormon community working together they were able to drain the land and make it productive. This didn’t sit well with their Hancock County neighbors, more out of envy than anything else. At one point with twelve thousand Saints, Nauvoo was the largest town in Illinois. Many of the ‘gentiles’ (as non-Mormons were called) felt that they were being treated poorly by the Saints. They accused the Saints of stealing cattle and passing counterfeit money.
Once stories of ‘polygamy’ began to circulate (though denied by Smith and his followers) relations with the gentiles deteriorated to the point that there were Anti-Mormon parties organized in all the local towns. Eventually this led to the arrest of Joseph and his brother Hyrum and two other followers. While in jail, the local militia formed a mob and attacked the jail killing Joseph and Hyrum. Needless to say no one was ever convicted of the murder.
With the death of Joseph, there was a split among Brigham Young and Smith’s family over who should lead the Church. Joseph Smith III took his section of the newly named Reorganized Church of LDS to Wisconsin, while Young took the rest to Utah where they practice polygamy until the time that Utah joined the Union.
Well written and balanced story.
Zeb Kantrowitz
October 12, 2014
Interesting material and well-researched. Although the main portion of this book centers around the cold-blooded murder of Joseph Smith and the uncertainty of choosing a successor in the chaotic aftermath, there is enough background information on Joseph's early years, money-digging, hat and seer stone incident(s), conflicts with the law and antagonisms with non-Mormon settlers in Missouri and Illinois.
There were numerous conflicting viewpoints in this book (he said / she said; pro and anti-Mormon sentiments) which is valuable in providing a neutral and balanced portrait of the times. This is a history book, not an opinion piece, so Alex Beam has avoided judgment calls on either side. He puts everything out on the table and lets the reader make her own evaluation.
My primary criticism of this book is the lack of structure. It needs more organization; the separation of each chapter with additional titled subheadings is preferential to the non-labelled dividers currently in place. I would've enjoyed this book more if it were more fluid and polished, rather than choppy.
A multitude of confusing paragraphs-- starts off with a quote from one man and then immediately follows up with a quote from another man which contradicts the other. Possibly the inclusion of "conversely" or "on the other hand" to separate the differing opinions would serve as a necessary indicator of the change of view in a single paragraph.
* * *
The entertaining jaw-dropping portions of Joseph Smith's life were omitted. I would've liked to read more on Ol Joe's "secret" salacious sex scandals. Alex Beam merely mentioned a few things in passing (marriage to mother/daughter and sister pairs; marriage to already married women) but nothing in great detail. Fawn M. Brodie's No Man Knows My History is superior in this regard.
I also would've truly enjoyed some detail on planet size. What is the maximum size planet a godly saint can hope to achieve? Is there a significant planet-size differential in someone who has two kids versus someone who has four? Someone who is poor versus rich? If you are baptized when you are dead (like George Washington or Ben Franklin) is your planet smaller than the average Mormon's planet, because you weren't an active Mormon during life? Or do George and Ben still get a big beautiful planet (instead of a dwarf planet) with innumerable pregnant spiritual wives because they are just that awesome ?
There were numerous conflicting viewpoints in this book (he said / she said; pro and anti-Mormon sentiments) which is valuable in providing a neutral and balanced portrait of the times. This is a history book, not an opinion piece, so Alex Beam has avoided judgment calls on either side. He puts everything out on the table and lets the reader make her own evaluation.
My primary criticism of this book is the lack of structure. It needs more organization; the separation of each chapter with additional titled subheadings is preferential to the non-labelled dividers currently in place. I would've enjoyed this book more if it were more fluid and polished, rather than choppy.
A multitude of confusing paragraphs-- starts off with a quote from one man and then immediately follows up with a quote from another man which contradicts the other. Possibly the inclusion of "conversely" or "on the other hand" to separate the differing opinions would serve as a necessary indicator of the change of view in a single paragraph.
* * *
The entertaining jaw-dropping portions of Joseph Smith's life were omitted. I would've liked to read more on Ol Joe's "secret" salacious sex scandals. Alex Beam merely mentioned a few things in passing (marriage to mother/daughter and sister pairs; marriage to already married women) but nothing in great detail. Fawn M. Brodie's No Man Knows My History is superior in this regard.
I also would've truly enjoyed some detail on planet size. What is the maximum size planet a godly saint can hope to achieve? Is there a significant planet-size differential in someone who has two kids versus someone who has four? Someone who is poor versus rich? If you are baptized when you are dead (like George Washington or Ben Franklin) is your planet smaller than the average Mormon's planet, because you weren't an active Mormon during life? Or do George and Ben still get a big beautiful planet (instead of a dwarf planet) with innumerable pregnant spiritual wives because they are just that awesome ?
March 10, 2016
I started this book not knowing that Joseph Smith was killed or anything about Mormonism. It was a fascinating read and very well written.
Joseph Smith is the so called prophet of the Mormon religion - finding the gold tablets which he dictated to his wife Emma. He moved from Upstate New York to Ohio and Illinois spreading his religion and building temples. He was a very charming man and helped all those who came to follow his word with kindness and had a real down to earth feel about himself. Smith incorporated ideas and symbols from the Masons and preached to free the slaves.
Polygamy did not come until later in his religion. His wife Emma was greatly unhappy with the idea of polygamy and convinced herself that it never happened - although there are incidents of her searching for Joseph frantically to make sure he wasn't with a woman or as the Mormons call them spirit wives. Supposedly he spiritually married 40 women.
Joseph and his brother went to Carthage Illinois to answer to charges of public nuisance and was later charged of treason. They were sent to the Jail after their pleas of not guilty. The minute the brothers entered Cathrage there was an angry mob - or as they were called back in the day militias with no direction or supervision.
Smith and his brother were killed by an angry mob who stormed the jail. Hyrum was killed first. Joseph Smith did have a gun of some sort and was able to fight back with that for a bit when he ran out of bullets he fought with his fists back. Once Smith was killed his body was held up and the mob continued to shot at him. His attackers were put on trial but all were acquitted. The Mormons did not seek revenge. Luckily enough for the Mormons the men who did kill Joseph Smith all ended their lives in a very painful, pitiful way - one man had some sort of flesh eating disease and was said worms were eating him alive, another had cancer of the eye and one man was physically abused by his son and died from the effects of a fire.
After Josephs death Bingham Young took over as the leader of the Mormons and moved the latter day saints out west. Emma Smith died convinced that her husband was never "spiritually" married to other women. His one son Joseph Smith III believed the thought process of his mother and tried to prove his father never practiced polygamy. The younger son believed that his father practiced polygamy and ended up in a mental hospital for the majority of his life.
Joseph Smith is the so called prophet of the Mormon religion - finding the gold tablets which he dictated to his wife Emma. He moved from Upstate New York to Ohio and Illinois spreading his religion and building temples. He was a very charming man and helped all those who came to follow his word with kindness and had a real down to earth feel about himself. Smith incorporated ideas and symbols from the Masons and preached to free the slaves.
Polygamy did not come until later in his religion. His wife Emma was greatly unhappy with the idea of polygamy and convinced herself that it never happened - although there are incidents of her searching for Joseph frantically to make sure he wasn't with a woman or as the Mormons call them spirit wives. Supposedly he spiritually married 40 women.
Joseph and his brother went to Carthage Illinois to answer to charges of public nuisance and was later charged of treason. They were sent to the Jail after their pleas of not guilty. The minute the brothers entered Cathrage there was an angry mob - or as they were called back in the day militias with no direction or supervision.
Smith and his brother were killed by an angry mob who stormed the jail. Hyrum was killed first. Joseph Smith did have a gun of some sort and was able to fight back with that for a bit when he ran out of bullets he fought with his fists back. Once Smith was killed his body was held up and the mob continued to shot at him. His attackers were put on trial but all were acquitted. The Mormons did not seek revenge. Luckily enough for the Mormons the men who did kill Joseph Smith all ended their lives in a very painful, pitiful way - one man had some sort of flesh eating disease and was said worms were eating him alive, another had cancer of the eye and one man was physically abused by his son and died from the effects of a fire.
After Josephs death Bingham Young took over as the leader of the Mormons and moved the latter day saints out west. Emma Smith died convinced that her husband was never "spiritually" married to other women. His one son Joseph Smith III believed the thought process of his mother and tried to prove his father never practiced polygamy. The younger son believed that his father practiced polygamy and ended up in a mental hospital for the majority of his life.
February 14, 2015
Alex Beam's "American Crucifixion" reads like an Erik Larsen novel. Of course that's deservedly high praise. To fit into that narrow categorization an Erik Larsen novel occupies, you need a work of narrative non-fiction (or creative non-fiction) with a strong, engrossing narrative that takes only slight precedence to the facts. You don't want a text book, but you don't want fan fiction or historical fiction. In that way, it's quick and enlightening read for someone familiar with Mormonism, but also an objective and not-too-dense introduction to the topic for someone unfamiliar.
You'll undoubtedly hear about any perceived biases in Alex Beam or particularly in this novel. Those mostly serve to reveal what kind of head space the reviewer is currently occupying. Beam is an accomplished journalist who knows how to responsibly spin history into an objective narrative. If you have a problem with what you deem to be an unfair, harsh, or inaccurate tone, the book hit a nerve and hopefully planted a seed of objectivity and healthy skepticism. If you revel in its damning and unflattering depiction of a licentious Joseph Smith and every misstep after misstep that led to his tragic but inevitable demise, you need to exit the echo chamber of resentful post-Mormons awaken to the complex and often sincere motivations Smith had.
There's a wonderfully objective balancing act going on in "American Crucifixion" that gives a much needed balance to the one-sided, distorted vision of Smith's life that his church depicts.
You'll undoubtedly hear about any perceived biases in Alex Beam or particularly in this novel. Those mostly serve to reveal what kind of head space the reviewer is currently occupying. Beam is an accomplished journalist who knows how to responsibly spin history into an objective narrative. If you have a problem with what you deem to be an unfair, harsh, or inaccurate tone, the book hit a nerve and hopefully planted a seed of objectivity and healthy skepticism. If you revel in its damning and unflattering depiction of a licentious Joseph Smith and every misstep after misstep that led to his tragic but inevitable demise, you need to exit the echo chamber of resentful post-Mormons awaken to the complex and often sincere motivations Smith had.
There's a wonderfully objective balancing act going on in "American Crucifixion" that gives a much needed balance to the one-sided, distorted vision of Smith's life that his church depicts.
July 11, 2014
American Crucifixion (2014) gives an account of the circumstances leading to Joseph Smith's martyrdom on June 27, 1844. It seeks to give context to the emotions, political events, and the general sentiment that pervaded Illinois at this time. How did the American frontier become so crazy as to shoot a presidential candidate in cold blood? Why was there not a second Mormon War in response to this? What provoked this kind of action?
My Thoughts:
Where were the footnotes? The End notes? References to primary documents? Beam relied on secondary sources for his information, which I find inexcusable. His research was on a topic with tons of accessible primary sources. He was just too lazy to do his own research, which annoyed me to no end. If I wanted to know what other people thought about The Martyrdom, I'd read their books. Thanks much.
Beam's clear bias made American Crucifixion a terrible read. His entire chapter on polygamy in Nauvoo needed to be trashed. Outdated scholarship, lack of attention to polygamy in its greater U.S. context, and inflated speculation made for a terrible chapter.
The redeeming quality of this book was Beam's chapter on the martyrdom itself. As a journalist, Beam's writing style was highly conducive to creating a vibrant account of the immediate events surrounding Carthage. His description made the book well worth my time.
My Thoughts:
Where were the footnotes? The End notes? References to primary documents? Beam relied on secondary sources for his information, which I find inexcusable. His research was on a topic with tons of accessible primary sources. He was just too lazy to do his own research, which annoyed me to no end. If I wanted to know what other people thought about The Martyrdom, I'd read their books. Thanks much.
Beam's clear bias made American Crucifixion a terrible read. His entire chapter on polygamy in Nauvoo needed to be trashed. Outdated scholarship, lack of attention to polygamy in its greater U.S. context, and inflated speculation made for a terrible chapter.
The redeeming quality of this book was Beam's chapter on the martyrdom itself. As a journalist, Beam's writing style was highly conducive to creating a vibrant account of the immediate events surrounding Carthage. His description made the book well worth my time.
August 7, 2014
This book was a quick read for me. Historically accurate but reading more like a novel than a history text. Rich detail and background is provided and framed in a nice literary way.
Joseph's Smith persona as one both loved and hated is explored in a way that helps you see both sides. He is complicated. He is a little scary and powerful. He deserves both the love and the hate. It is an interesting story to follow, much like watching a train wreck-- you know what is going to happen, but are not sure how much collateral damage comes before, during and after the event.
Joseph's Smith persona as one both loved and hated is explored in a way that helps you see both sides. He is complicated. He is a little scary and powerful. He deserves both the love and the hate. It is an interesting story to follow, much like watching a train wreck-- you know what is going to happen, but are not sure how much collateral damage comes before, during and after the event.
June 23, 2014
This book was completely fascinating and compelling. Told by a journalist without an agenda as either a member of the church or someone who used to be a member, it read a little like a murder mystery. I was especially interested by the aftermath of the murders, the trial and what the church did. I would highly recommend this to anyone with a love of American history and definitely to Mormons wanting to fill in the details missing from what is taught at church.
June 27, 2014
Very interesting book.
December 9, 2017
This was an interesting read- steady pace although would be more exciting if it were edited further for length. It read like an observing newspaper reporting on events which was nice to picture the story from an outsider’s view.
I left the LDS Church (the largest of the leftover branches known as the Brighamites, but not the branch his son- whom he declared would continue his prophetic legacy, or his first wife Emma followed) about 10 years ago. Many who can’t comprehend why someone would study their way out and then continue to be interested in the religion may ask “why can’t those who leave the church then leave it alone?” which would be a fair question if Utah and familial culture weren’t so tangled up in these beliefs. It’s generally a topic of discussion at work or elsewhere so it’s difficult to avoid contemplating it on one’s own or when it comes up with others around. Furthermore, I am fascinated to learn about many charismatic leaders for good or for bad such as Kim Jong-un, Jim Jones, Joe Smith or Steve Jobs.
The Joseph Smith story is a fascinating part of American history, UT/ID history and my own family’s history where my ancestors escaped their once bustling and largest city of Illinois, Nauvoo, for a deadly trek walking to the West where they would bury many along the way for not boiling their water (“hot water” was shunned in the Word of Wisdom health guidelines instead of being encouraged) and have many Wild West-like endeavors upon settling here with hard-drinking gunslinging cowboys like Porter Rockwell.
Here I won’t review the book but rather dump my own notations and thoughts I wrote down while listening to the audiobook (spoiler alert, just like in the New Testament: he dies at the end):
Ch. 1
1:44 The whole Book of Mormon “was a delusion”. Smiths father in law. http://a.co/a7cGbos
15:49 Rockwell prophecy, unlike other prophecies, came true that he wouldn’t die from a ball as long as he didn’t cut his hair. http://a.co/8Eqsuyz
22:37 “I love that man who swears the stream as long as my arm”- Smith on cursing http://a.co/hZ0KtNq
23:50 Joseph’s Appearance-6 foot tall broad-shouldered, long nose, somewhat receding hairline and blue eyes and a limp from his youth surgery. http://a.co/cV7NJIF
25:14 Joseph’s megalomania changing scriptures and even writing himself into the Bible to prophecy of himself by name
26:30 The Dr wouldn’t castrate him bc he was there for his birth but shoved a vial of poison in his mouth chipping his tooth and leaving him with a slight whistle.
Ch. 2
5:44 Many examples of people in north western New York having appearances from God or Jesus.
13:42 Mark Twain on the slow sleepy chloroform in print that is the Book of Mormon
17:20 The restored church was a millennial church waiting for the second coming sometime in the 19 century
27:39 Almost all of Joseph’s close confidants and witnesses of the book of Mormon left were excommunicated
28:22 Joseph tried to hook up with Pratt‘s wife while Pratt was on a mission in England. And Brigham Young‘s quote about Joseph the wild man who could drink and sleep with another woman each night but we must still adhere to the doctrine that he produced because it will save us in the end.
33:50 Masonic power. 1842 Joseph Smith applies to become a mason. After the wedding. He is awarded membership. Two days later he is promoted to higher levels/ranks. Then their Mormon lodge starts to become more powerful than other lodges and Joseph will require all men to receive this endowment and tokens.
36:54 Masons angry that he combined all-seeing eye and adapted and perverted centuries-old Masonic rituals for his own ends. Illinois masons embarked on closing Mormon lodges down for copying masonry. Joseph insisted it was revealed to him by God anew.
39:13 Ken Follet discourse-possibly one of the most famous talks ever given in America.Most of the doctrine revealed in secret and meant to be kept a secret But now he was unveiling One of the most profound religious sermon ever given on the continent for two hours. the next day he had no voice. “God is a man like one of yourself“
47:41 Vast Mormon land grab and the council of fifty (he called it “Lycium” in his diary) march of ‘44. The purpose was to govern the entire world regardless of existing laws and sovereignties after the coming of Christ.
! The fifty appointed him king, priest and ruler over Israel on earth. Bosworth now moved to the large Mormon endeavor. The council of fifty’s notes remain closed until today
49:32 Joseph runs for president. Really thinks he has a chance. The plan was for him to become the ruler of the earth as well and this got him in lots of trouble.
50:48 ! Dragon-like flame throwing contraption (weapon). Joseph presents Uriah brown’s invention (brown is a friend) to the czar. Brown couldn’t get Congress interested. He claimed it could destroy an army or navy. So powerful it might usher in a new era of world peace. JS thought the Lord purposed it for something greater than peace among nations. He said it was something important for the kingdom of god in the last days. His alliance with the czar and this steam-powered ship was to overthrow the powers at large.
Ch. 3
3:22 Danites returned violence for violence.
3:46 Extermination (which meant “expel”, not “annihilate”) order followed by Hauns Mill where 17 Mormons and two children died.
10:36 ! The mortality rate in Nauvoo was DOUBLE Illinois’ rates AND DOUBLE of the united states. So many died the saints arranged a mass funeral service for the dead.
23:30 University of Nauvoo. No graduates. Never got off the ground. Two honoraries were given to editors of newspapers with favorable articles toward Mormons.
31:46 Joseph sometimes called himself Barak Ail in his diaries.
33:36 Teenage women working at Joseph’s lodge for room and board became too much of a temptation for him. Ended up marrying them all (the five mentioned at this time mark)
35:23 Description of the bar in JS house and secret rooms/passageways that could hide Joseph from law officials
43:01 Quincy: “ is it possible that you have too much power to be allowed to one person?”
Smith: “In your hands or in the hands of any other person. I am the only man in the world it would be safe to trust with it...”(and then spoken in a rich comical aside, according to Quincy)...”remember I....am a Prophet!”
Ch. 4
30:47 Was the word racism even in existence back then or nah?
Ch. 5
8:34 Mary’s own revelation to accept polygamy and polyandry
22:20 Emma somewhat warmed up to polygamy with two pairs of sisters (later in life she’d convince herself and at least one son it never happened tho)
24:57 Emma later repented of having allowed the sisters to marry JS and live in their home. She once caught Eliza Snow kissing JS and grabbed her by the hair and threw her out. Eliza had a miscarriage as a result.
Ch. 9
6:49 Different accounts for what led to smiths death here.
8:17 Joseph Smith naming his son as his successor.
9:24 Joseph left to the jail, where he would be killed, without his garments on either bc of the summer heat or Emma had asked him to remove hem. BY says JS told Willard Richards he wouldn’t be hit by bullets if he kept the garments on. He survived the attack.
12:19 Some note Joseph never thought he would die and that those quotes of being like a lamb to the slaughter may have been added to the church history afterward.
15:11 Emma only found out recently about polygamy and convinced herself and one of her sons that polygamy never existed
Ch. 10
17:08 Description of the old west cowboy shootout at the jail
Ch. 11
11:59 10K saints gather the day after the shooting to the mansion to see the gruesome two bodies. They cook tar and flour on the stove to Cauter the bodies but it made things swell and worsen....
Ch. 14
7:30 The curse on their killers! Eyes fallen out, worms eating flesh and huge parts of flesh rotted away WHILE STILL BREATHING!
16:08 Governor Thomas Ford’s eventual demise
I left the LDS Church (the largest of the leftover branches known as the Brighamites, but not the branch his son- whom he declared would continue his prophetic legacy, or his first wife Emma followed) about 10 years ago. Many who can’t comprehend why someone would study their way out and then continue to be interested in the religion may ask “why can’t those who leave the church then leave it alone?” which would be a fair question if Utah and familial culture weren’t so tangled up in these beliefs. It’s generally a topic of discussion at work or elsewhere so it’s difficult to avoid contemplating it on one’s own or when it comes up with others around. Furthermore, I am fascinated to learn about many charismatic leaders for good or for bad such as Kim Jong-un, Jim Jones, Joe Smith or Steve Jobs.
The Joseph Smith story is a fascinating part of American history, UT/ID history and my own family’s history where my ancestors escaped their once bustling and largest city of Illinois, Nauvoo, for a deadly trek walking to the West where they would bury many along the way for not boiling their water (“hot water” was shunned in the Word of Wisdom health guidelines instead of being encouraged) and have many Wild West-like endeavors upon settling here with hard-drinking gunslinging cowboys like Porter Rockwell.
Here I won’t review the book but rather dump my own notations and thoughts I wrote down while listening to the audiobook (spoiler alert, just like in the New Testament: he dies at the end):
Ch. 1
1:44 The whole Book of Mormon “was a delusion”. Smiths father in law. http://a.co/a7cGbos
15:49 Rockwell prophecy, unlike other prophecies, came true that he wouldn’t die from a ball as long as he didn’t cut his hair. http://a.co/8Eqsuyz
22:37 “I love that man who swears the stream as long as my arm”- Smith on cursing http://a.co/hZ0KtNq
23:50 Joseph’s Appearance-6 foot tall broad-shouldered, long nose, somewhat receding hairline and blue eyes and a limp from his youth surgery. http://a.co/cV7NJIF
25:14 Joseph’s megalomania changing scriptures and even writing himself into the Bible to prophecy of himself by name
26:30 The Dr wouldn’t castrate him bc he was there for his birth but shoved a vial of poison in his mouth chipping his tooth and leaving him with a slight whistle.
Ch. 2
5:44 Many examples of people in north western New York having appearances from God or Jesus.
13:42 Mark Twain on the slow sleepy chloroform in print that is the Book of Mormon
17:20 The restored church was a millennial church waiting for the second coming sometime in the 19 century
27:39 Almost all of Joseph’s close confidants and witnesses of the book of Mormon left were excommunicated
28:22 Joseph tried to hook up with Pratt‘s wife while Pratt was on a mission in England. And Brigham Young‘s quote about Joseph the wild man who could drink and sleep with another woman each night but we must still adhere to the doctrine that he produced because it will save us in the end.
33:50 Masonic power. 1842 Joseph Smith applies to become a mason. After the wedding. He is awarded membership. Two days later he is promoted to higher levels/ranks. Then their Mormon lodge starts to become more powerful than other lodges and Joseph will require all men to receive this endowment and tokens.
36:54 Masons angry that he combined all-seeing eye and adapted and perverted centuries-old Masonic rituals for his own ends. Illinois masons embarked on closing Mormon lodges down for copying masonry. Joseph insisted it was revealed to him by God anew.
39:13 Ken Follet discourse-possibly one of the most famous talks ever given in America.Most of the doctrine revealed in secret and meant to be kept a secret But now he was unveiling One of the most profound religious sermon ever given on the continent for two hours. the next day he had no voice. “God is a man like one of yourself“
47:41 Vast Mormon land grab and the council of fifty (he called it “Lycium” in his diary) march of ‘44. The purpose was to govern the entire world regardless of existing laws and sovereignties after the coming of Christ.
! The fifty appointed him king, priest and ruler over Israel on earth. Bosworth now moved to the large Mormon endeavor. The council of fifty’s notes remain closed until today
49:32 Joseph runs for president. Really thinks he has a chance. The plan was for him to become the ruler of the earth as well and this got him in lots of trouble.
50:48 ! Dragon-like flame throwing contraption (weapon). Joseph presents Uriah brown’s invention (brown is a friend) to the czar. Brown couldn’t get Congress interested. He claimed it could destroy an army or navy. So powerful it might usher in a new era of world peace. JS thought the Lord purposed it for something greater than peace among nations. He said it was something important for the kingdom of god in the last days. His alliance with the czar and this steam-powered ship was to overthrow the powers at large.
Ch. 3
3:22 Danites returned violence for violence.
3:46 Extermination (which meant “expel”, not “annihilate”) order followed by Hauns Mill where 17 Mormons and two children died.
10:36 ! The mortality rate in Nauvoo was DOUBLE Illinois’ rates AND DOUBLE of the united states. So many died the saints arranged a mass funeral service for the dead.
23:30 University of Nauvoo. No graduates. Never got off the ground. Two honoraries were given to editors of newspapers with favorable articles toward Mormons.
31:46 Joseph sometimes called himself Barak Ail in his diaries.
33:36 Teenage women working at Joseph’s lodge for room and board became too much of a temptation for him. Ended up marrying them all (the five mentioned at this time mark)
35:23 Description of the bar in JS house and secret rooms/passageways that could hide Joseph from law officials
43:01 Quincy: “ is it possible that you have too much power to be allowed to one person?”
Smith: “In your hands or in the hands of any other person. I am the only man in the world it would be safe to trust with it...”(and then spoken in a rich comical aside, according to Quincy)...”remember I....am a Prophet!”
Ch. 4
30:47 Was the word racism even in existence back then or nah?
Ch. 5
8:34 Mary’s own revelation to accept polygamy and polyandry
22:20 Emma somewhat warmed up to polygamy with two pairs of sisters (later in life she’d convince herself and at least one son it never happened tho)
24:57 Emma later repented of having allowed the sisters to marry JS and live in their home. She once caught Eliza Snow kissing JS and grabbed her by the hair and threw her out. Eliza had a miscarriage as a result.
Ch. 9
6:49 Different accounts for what led to smiths death here.
8:17 Joseph Smith naming his son as his successor.
9:24 Joseph left to the jail, where he would be killed, without his garments on either bc of the summer heat or Emma had asked him to remove hem. BY says JS told Willard Richards he wouldn’t be hit by bullets if he kept the garments on. He survived the attack.
12:19 Some note Joseph never thought he would die and that those quotes of being like a lamb to the slaughter may have been added to the church history afterward.
15:11 Emma only found out recently about polygamy and convinced herself and one of her sons that polygamy never existed
Ch. 10
17:08 Description of the old west cowboy shootout at the jail
Ch. 11
11:59 10K saints gather the day after the shooting to the mansion to see the gruesome two bodies. They cook tar and flour on the stove to Cauter the bodies but it made things swell and worsen....
Ch. 14
7:30 The curse on their killers! Eyes fallen out, worms eating flesh and huge parts of flesh rotted away WHILE STILL BREATHING!
16:08 Governor Thomas Ford’s eventual demise
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2014
I saw this book on NetGalley and thought it looked interesting. It's supposed to be about how the murder of Joseph Smith led to a change in the Mormon Church and made it what it is today. It turned out to be a bit larger than that, with an introduction of how Mormonism came about up to the aftermath of the Church.
And it was a very gripping read.
This book explains how Joseph Smith became an outcast, and how his vocal enemies finally killed him, vigilante style. And with his sudden death, the Mormon Church was lost and there was a brief leadership struggle. There were those who support polygamy, and those that didn't. And it didn't help that Joseph Smith publicly condemned polygamy, but then secretly went around marrying his many wives and even trying to seduce a few of the elder's wives.
It seems to me that it's in the later years of Joseph Smith's life that he radically departs from mainstream Christianity. True, the whole Angel Moroni visitation is a direct contradiction of the words in the book of Revelation, but it's not till his later years that his theology veers off into a completely different direction and ends up becoming a whole new religion.
Personally, the one that I sympathise with the most is his wife Emma, who stuck with him his whole life, and ended up fooling herself into believing that he never strayed from their marital bed. She obviously loved her husband a lot.
This is a very interesting and readable account of the history of the Mormon Church. If you have any interest in Mormonism, you might want to pick this book up.
Disclaimer: I got a free galley from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.
This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
And it was a very gripping read.
This book explains how Joseph Smith became an outcast, and how his vocal enemies finally killed him, vigilante style. And with his sudden death, the Mormon Church was lost and there was a brief leadership struggle. There were those who support polygamy, and those that didn't. And it didn't help that Joseph Smith publicly condemned polygamy, but then secretly went around marrying his many wives and even trying to seduce a few of the elder's wives.
It seems to me that it's in the later years of Joseph Smith's life that he radically departs from mainstream Christianity. True, the whole Angel Moroni visitation is a direct contradiction of the words in the book of Revelation, but it's not till his later years that his theology veers off into a completely different direction and ends up becoming a whole new religion.
Personally, the one that I sympathise with the most is his wife Emma, who stuck with him his whole life, and ended up fooling herself into believing that he never strayed from their marital bed. She obviously loved her husband a lot.
This is a very interesting and readable account of the history of the Mormon Church. If you have any interest in Mormonism, you might want to pick this book up.
Disclaimer: I got a free galley from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.
This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
November 12, 2014
Over the years I have read many books about Mormons and the historical development of their unusual beliefs. Beam's book is certainly the most fascinating of the lot. He has taken a short but dramatic point in the LDS history and brought contemporary reports to bear on it. Instead of ending up as a boring recitation of historical facts, his words bring to life a story told from all sides that is so amazing that it is simply as hard to put down as a good "who-done-it".
The story moved along well, and I was hard-put to set the book down at mealtimes. And what I especially liked was Mr. Beam introducing a whole bunch of new words to my vocabulary, necessitating my keeping the iPod dictionary close at hand. I learned "locofoco," "condign," "Pecksniffian," "serried," and "autarky," none of which I could even remotely guess as to the meaning, but which also did not make my roll my eyes and wish he had used words that I already knew. Looking them up didn't damage the flow of his narrative a bit, and certainly enriched me!
Aside from anything else, anyone with a smattering of interest in the LDS church's history would be well advised to absorb this book, which reads unlike any other of the books on this subject that I've read over the years.
And of special interest to me is the genealogical discovery that in 1844, the time important in this religion's history, my 4th great grandfather Rev. Robert B. Dobbins was pastoring a small Presbyterian Church in Fulton County, Illinois, about 70 miles east of Navoo. Surely he must have been aware of what was going on, but from my research it appears he was more interested in keeping his own church members walking on the "straight and narrow" - his tombstone from 1854 says "Against Slavery and FreeMasonry!"
The story moved along well, and I was hard-put to set the book down at mealtimes. And what I especially liked was Mr. Beam introducing a whole bunch of new words to my vocabulary, necessitating my keeping the iPod dictionary close at hand. I learned "locofoco," "condign," "Pecksniffian," "serried," and "autarky," none of which I could even remotely guess as to the meaning, but which also did not make my roll my eyes and wish he had used words that I already knew. Looking them up didn't damage the flow of his narrative a bit, and certainly enriched me!
Aside from anything else, anyone with a smattering of interest in the LDS church's history would be well advised to absorb this book, which reads unlike any other of the books on this subject that I've read over the years.
And of special interest to me is the genealogical discovery that in 1844, the time important in this religion's history, my 4th great grandfather Rev. Robert B. Dobbins was pastoring a small Presbyterian Church in Fulton County, Illinois, about 70 miles east of Navoo. Surely he must have been aware of what was going on, but from my research it appears he was more interested in keeping his own church members walking on the "straight and narrow" - his tombstone from 1854 says "Against Slavery and FreeMasonry!"
December 25, 2015
$10.08
As with almost all new religions, Mormonism had a rough and rocky start, and ended quite differently than its beginnings. I knew very little about the history of the Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and so this was an interesting read.
Joseph Smith was the founder of the LDS with support from his wife, Emma Hale Smith and others he came across. At this time of our country's history, many religions were sprouting up in the Northeast, but few (if any) had as much success as Mormonism. They were driven from place to place until Smith and his brother were murdered in Carthage, Illinois.
He didn't live to see the success of his visions, and I have to wonder how things might have been different had he not introduced polygamy.
During the middle of the 1800s, his revelations and dealings brought a lot of controversy to those around him, but I don't think any did as much damage as polygamy, or as he called it spiritual wives. Needless to say not everyone agreed on this latter prophecy, and some left the church and he was bedeviled through the press by the freedom of speech that our country holds so dear.
Of course he most likely would not have been attacked had he not introduced this teaching, and one can only wonder how things might have turned out differently if not for polygamy.
It doesn't seem that he and his fellow Saints were the most respectable of people (at the time), but this was the wild West, and who can say who was and who wasn't.
This was a fascinating read on a part of American history, not only the Mormon church, but for our country. The author obviously did a tremendous amount of research, and as a journalist I wouldn't expect any less. It should make for a good discussion when our book club meets again.
As with almost all new religions, Mormonism had a rough and rocky start, and ended quite differently than its beginnings. I knew very little about the history of the Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and so this was an interesting read.
Joseph Smith was the founder of the LDS with support from his wife, Emma Hale Smith and others he came across. At this time of our country's history, many religions were sprouting up in the Northeast, but few (if any) had as much success as Mormonism. They were driven from place to place until Smith and his brother were murdered in Carthage, Illinois.
He didn't live to see the success of his visions, and I have to wonder how things might have been different had he not introduced polygamy.
During the middle of the 1800s, his revelations and dealings brought a lot of controversy to those around him, but I don't think any did as much damage as polygamy, or as he called it spiritual wives. Needless to say not everyone agreed on this latter prophecy, and some left the church and he was bedeviled through the press by the freedom of speech that our country holds so dear.
Of course he most likely would not have been attacked had he not introduced this teaching, and one can only wonder how things might have turned out differently if not for polygamy.
It doesn't seem that he and his fellow Saints were the most respectable of people (at the time), but this was the wild West, and who can say who was and who wasn't.
This was a fascinating read on a part of American history, not only the Mormon church, but for our country. The author obviously did a tremendous amount of research, and as a journalist I wouldn't expect any less. It should make for a good discussion when our book club meets again.
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