Saints Without Halos: The Human Side of Mormon History

by Leonard J. Arrington, Davis Bitton

Unlike most Mormon histories, Saints without Halos is a treatment of the human, rather than institutional side of Mormon history. Through the fascinating experiences of seventeen Latter-day Saints, Leonard J. Arrington and Davis Bitton sketch Mormonism from its earliest beginnings to modern times. These are Saints presented not as objects of veneration, but as “human beings who, like the rest of us, struggle to be worthy of the title Latter-day Saint.” Two were apostles. One was an enthusiastic supporter and friend of Joseph Smith, who eventually left the main body of the Church to lead his own band to Texas. The other was a link in the chain of a renowned Mormon family whose positions in the leading councils of the Church span virtually the entire history of Mormonism. The other fifteen individuals, except for one colorful non-Mormon advocate, are “ordinary” Latter-day Saints—faithful members who helped realize the vision of their prophetic a personal friend of Joseph Smith, missionaries and converts, a plural wife, an Indian woman, a widowed immigrant, pioneers and philosophers, bishops and blacksmiths, and even a historian. In this book, the authors of The Mormon Experience draw on their vast knowledge of Mormon diaries and other first-hand accounts to disclose the rich diversity of Mormonism as well as its unity of purpose.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Lds

149 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

The first professionally trained official LDS Church Historian.

Reviews

[Alan Thacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stories about 16 people from the 1830's to 1960's

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought-provoking showcase of the diversity of thought among members as they struggled with their testimonies and responsibilities within the Church. There are tales of plural wives, apostates, and professors of academia. An insight into the mindset of members of a variety of eras, from the western flight of the pioneers to pre-WWII Europe missionaries.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dozen or so short biographies on lesser-known historical mormons (hence, without halos). I enjoyed some bios more than others, but all were worth reading.

[Jeff Crosby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short collective biographies.

[Sally]

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