Joseph Smith: Teenage Prophet

by Richard E. Turley Jr.

Joseph Smith, founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was just a teenager when he had his important early visions. To understand him and his visions requires looking at them through the eyes of a vulnerable teen. This book is the first to interpret his early experiences from the standpoint of a fourteen- to seventeen-year-old boy burdened with sin who wanted more than anything to be forgiven. Only when you see young Joseph in this way can you truly comprehend what happened to him. And when you do, he stops being an untouchable man on a pedestal who had experiences beyond what others can realize. Instead, his personal spiritual quest becomes one that everyone can follow successfully—including you.

75 pages, Paperback

Published December 31, 2019

About the author

Richard E. Turley Jr. retired in March 2020 as Managing Director of the Church Communication Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served previously as Managing Director of the Public Affairs Department, the Church Historical Department, the Family History Department, and the combined Family and Church History Department. He also served as Assistant Church Historian and Recorder. An innovator by nature, he helped oversee the creation of the four-volume history Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, the launch of FamilySearch and FamilySearch Indexing, the building of the new Church History Library, the development of the Joseph Smith Papers, and the formation of the Church Historian’s Press. He acquired key books, documents, and artifacts for the Church’s historical collections, including the 1829 Printer’s Manuscript of the Book of Mormon. He also served for many years on the Church’s Historic Sites Committee.

He has authored or edited numerous books and articles on Latter-day Saint and Western U.S. history, including Massacre at Mountain Meadows: An American Tragedy; Victims: The LDS Church and the Mark Hofmann Case; How We Got the Book of Mormon; and How We Got the Doctrine and Covenants. He was the general editor for The Journals of George Q. Cannon print volumes, as well as coeditor of the series Women of Faith in the Latter Days.

Mr. Turley is also the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Historical Association's Herbert Feis award and the Historic Preservation Medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Mr. Turley received a bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University, where he was a Spencer W. Kimball Scholar. He later graduated from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at BYU, where he served as executive editor of the law review, was elected to the Order of the Coif, and received the Hugh B. Brown Barrister’s Award, given to the student who demonstrates the highest standards of classroom performance.

In September 2023, the First Presidency announced that it had commissioned a new biography of the Prophet Joseph Smith to be written by Mr. Turley.

Reviews

[Christopher Angulo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was brief and readable (it looks like the target audience was teenagers). It had excellent resources (using as many online, scholarly ones as possible). The book also touched on some key points of Joseph's childhood development (the surgery amd subsequent "bullying", as well as interactions with George Lane) which I think creates a more compelling, relatable story leading up to the first vision and aftermath.

[Kim Woodbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short and insightful book. It tells about Joseph Smith’s early visions from the perspective of a teenager, which is a unique approach. It’s an easy read, but contained some information and insight I had never thought of before. I would highly recommend it, especially for younger readers.

[STEVENCTURLEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teenagers perspective

I love how Rick tells the story from the teenager's perspective. I loved it and want all of our grandkids who are in their teens to read it. They will be able to understand what he was going through through their teenage minds and feelings.

Thanks

[Jessica Plowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short read, I learned a few new things about Joseph Smith. It also strengthened my testimony of him.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Restoration not Reformation. Forgiveness. Ask of God. Know for yourself. I believe it.

[John Fronk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, but Sweet

I have read the story before many times. It was refreshing to read it from the perspective of a young boy through the eyes of a historian.