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Know Brother Joseph: New Perspectives on Joseph Smith's Life & Character
Over the past twenty years, more than 12,000 pages of scholarly research on Joseph Smith have been published as part of the Joseph Smith Papers, with thousands more being prepared right now. These pages are filled with insights into Joseph, but most have not yet been shared in a way that makes the accessible to a broader audience. This collection of short essays will help close this gap and bring insights into Joseph to Latter-day saints, both those who are struggling with questions about Joseph and those who simply want to understand the founding Prophet of the Restoration better. These essays look at Joseph Smith's life, character, personality, and relationships with others. Know Brother Joseph, is an accessible and faith-promoting look at Joseph Smith, his life, and its relevance to us in our daily walk.
257 pages, Hardcover
Published March 1, 2021
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162 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 16, 2021
I have been wanting to learn more about the character of Joseph Smith...who he was as a person. This book is a compilation of essays written by a group of writers and editors who have read and worked on compiling and publishing the Joseph Smith Papers (all his writings, letters, journals, etc..., which by 2023 may contain around 20,000 published pages). Through studying these documents, these writers have come to know Joseph more personally and they share their insights and information gained in an accessible way. The essays are each capped at 1500 words, which is a great length for both depth and brevity. I enjoyed reading stories and personal experiences that I had never heard of before. I appreciated seeing his admirable traits displayed, such as humility, tenderheartedness, compassion, trust, benevolence, and his forgiving and obedient nature. I will end with this quote by Adam Petty, speaking of the work and diligence required to obtain the knowledge and understanding we seek:
"Yet this man who was willing to sacrifice his all to defend the Saints is the Joseph that I have come to know during my time working on the Joseph Smith Papers. I have paid the price to gain this knowledge. It has required time, effort, and diligence to pore over the surviving records and piece together an understanding of things. It has come bit by bit as I have studied and pondered things in my mind."
My favorite essays:
-"A Marvel and a Wonder: A Writer's View on Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon" - Angela Hallstrom
-"Plain, Precious, and Expansive: What Joseph Taught about Jesus and His Gospel" - Keith A. Erekson
-"God Is My Friend: Joseph Smith and Adversity" - R. Eric Smith
-"The Lonely Soul of Joseph Smith" - J. Chase Kirkham
-"He Wept as Though His Heart Would Break: Joseph Smith as a Man of Deep and Tender Feelings" - Jay A. Perry
-"As Free from Dissimulation as Any Man: The Authentic Joseph Smith" - Ronald O. Barney
-"The Great Principle of Christianity is Love: Joseph Smith's Teachings on Charity and Kindness" - Gerrit J. Dirkmaat
-"The moments of loneliness that Joseph Smith experienced during his life were real. God's absence was palpable. But this inner isolation was not without purpose. Loneliness, with its anxieties and worries, lead the Prophet to commune with God, a being he found in a grove and in a dungeon. It was because of and during the lonely moments of his life that Joseph learned about his God. Loneliness forced Joseph to question, to doubt, and to reflect, which form, led to deeper insights about the nature of divinity." -J. Chase Kirkham
"Yet this man who was willing to sacrifice his all to defend the Saints is the Joseph that I have come to know during my time working on the Joseph Smith Papers. I have paid the price to gain this knowledge. It has required time, effort, and diligence to pore over the surviving records and piece together an understanding of things. It has come bit by bit as I have studied and pondered things in my mind."
My favorite essays:
-"A Marvel and a Wonder: A Writer's View on Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon" - Angela Hallstrom
-"Plain, Precious, and Expansive: What Joseph Taught about Jesus and His Gospel" - Keith A. Erekson
-"God Is My Friend: Joseph Smith and Adversity" - R. Eric Smith
-"The Lonely Soul of Joseph Smith" - J. Chase Kirkham
-"He Wept as Though His Heart Would Break: Joseph Smith as a Man of Deep and Tender Feelings" - Jay A. Perry
-"As Free from Dissimulation as Any Man: The Authentic Joseph Smith" - Ronald O. Barney
-"The Great Principle of Christianity is Love: Joseph Smith's Teachings on Charity and Kindness" - Gerrit J. Dirkmaat
-"The moments of loneliness that Joseph Smith experienced during his life were real. God's absence was palpable. But this inner isolation was not without purpose. Loneliness, with its anxieties and worries, lead the Prophet to commune with God, a being he found in a grove and in a dungeon. It was because of and during the lonely moments of his life that Joseph learned about his God. Loneliness forced Joseph to question, to doubt, and to reflect, which form, led to deeper insights about the nature of divinity." -J. Chase Kirkham
January 23, 2026
“I never told you I was perfect. But there is no error in the revelations which I have taught” - Joseph Smith
Interesting format, with dozens of short essays on specific time periods, experiences, teachings and traits of Joseph Smith. The variety of authors and topics held my interest.
Most powerful was the astonishing amount of trials and troubles Joseph faced:
Joseph was born into poverty, suffered a near crippling leg surgery without anesthetic at age 7. He was publicly ridiculed for his telling of The First Vision. At age 26 he was attacked and beaten by a mob.
He had 4 brothers die before him, and buried six of his children.
From age 20 onwards the law was used to harass him for the rest of his life. While languishing in jail his family and thousands of church members were driven out of their homes. Joseph had to start over with virtually nothing through 3 different migrations. At age 36 he declared bankruptcy as he had taken on so much personal debt to build up the church. He suffered attacks on his character from people who he considered close friends. He was murdered for his religious beliefs.
Joseph’s thoughts despite all this? “God is my friend.”
“Joseph still has his critics today, just like he did in 1844, and modern Latter-day Saints face the same choice. Will we stand by Joseph? Joseph's pleas to the Saints still ring true: I am a true prophet. I will show you.
Remember, you don't really know me and you won't until the day of judgment. I am not perfect, but the revelations are. Will you stand by me?”
Interesting format, with dozens of short essays on specific time periods, experiences, teachings and traits of Joseph Smith. The variety of authors and topics held my interest.
Most powerful was the astonishing amount of trials and troubles Joseph faced:
Joseph was born into poverty, suffered a near crippling leg surgery without anesthetic at age 7. He was publicly ridiculed for his telling of The First Vision. At age 26 he was attacked and beaten by a mob.
He had 4 brothers die before him, and buried six of his children.
From age 20 onwards the law was used to harass him for the rest of his life. While languishing in jail his family and thousands of church members were driven out of their homes. Joseph had to start over with virtually nothing through 3 different migrations. At age 36 he declared bankruptcy as he had taken on so much personal debt to build up the church. He suffered attacks on his character from people who he considered close friends. He was murdered for his religious beliefs.
Joseph’s thoughts despite all this? “God is my friend.”
“Joseph still has his critics today, just like he did in 1844, and modern Latter-day Saints face the same choice. Will we stand by Joseph? Joseph's pleas to the Saints still ring true: I am a true prophet. I will show you.
Remember, you don't really know me and you won't until the day of judgment. I am not perfect, but the revelations are. Will you stand by me?”
February 23, 2022
As with any book that is a series of essays by different authors some are stronger than others, however, the majority of these essays are absolutely stellar in promoting faith and helping those not immersed in historical research, as these authors are, know a little more about Joseph.
April 26, 2021
It's probably suspect to give a book 5 stars if my boss is one of the editors and I have an essay in it, but I found this collection fresh and engaging and insightful. It bills itself as a master class in Joseph Smith with a different guest lecturer each day, and I thought the short essay format to be really effective to boil a subject down to what was most important. I feel I came to the book knowing a lot about JS but I learned something in literally every chapter. Eight or 10 of the essays knocked my socks off. This book is one of the first books built on the scholarship of the Joseph Smith Papers and intended for a popular audience, and it has staying power.
March 11, 2021
Many great insights from different talented authors about Joseph Smith. Learned some nice details.
January 17, 2022
A collection of essays by a variety of LDS Scholars about the life and character of the Latter Day prophet Joseph Smith.
I marked several significant quotes, most too lengthy to type here so I will note what and where they are found in the book, mostly for my own reference.
p 113 Joseph's feelings on slavery and the importance of feeling empathy towards those with experiences and situations different from our own
p139 the feelings of loneliness that his unique experiences gave him; also that it is a mistake to think that Joseph's vision in the Grove was his first communication with God, he clearly had a relationship with the Lord before he met him face to face.
p170 Jane Neyman's experience with the Relief society and her advice to be forbearing, forgiving and non judgmental.
p 195 " He said he was but a man and they (the members of the Church) must not expect him to be perfect; if they expected perfection from him, he should expect it from them, but if they would bear with his infirmities and the infirmities of the brethren, he would likewise bear with their infirmities." Joseph Smith " a prophet is not always a prophet, only when he is acting as such."
p 215 "We must not despise a man on account of infirmity. We ought to love a man for his infirmity."
p 224 (actually this entire essay) Religious freedom and tolerance
I marked several significant quotes, most too lengthy to type here so I will note what and where they are found in the book, mostly for my own reference.
p 113 Joseph's feelings on slavery and the importance of feeling empathy towards those with experiences and situations different from our own
p139 the feelings of loneliness that his unique experiences gave him; also that it is a mistake to think that Joseph's vision in the Grove was his first communication with God, he clearly had a relationship with the Lord before he met him face to face.
p170 Jane Neyman's experience with the Relief society and her advice to be forbearing, forgiving and non judgmental.
p 195 " He said he was but a man and they (the members of the Church) must not expect him to be perfect; if they expected perfection from him, he should expect it from them, but if they would bear with his infirmities and the infirmities of the brethren, he would likewise bear with their infirmities." Joseph Smith " a prophet is not always a prophet, only when he is acting as such."
p 215 "We must not despise a man on account of infirmity. We ought to love a man for his infirmity."
p 224 (actually this entire essay) Religious freedom and tolerance
November 1, 2023
A compilation of essays written by scholars who have studied his life, and many who were involved in the 27 volume series of the Joseph Smith papers. It was fascinating to learn more about this great prophet. I loved him even more as I read of his weaknesses and failings. God will do His work through the simple and weak of the world to bring about His divine purposes.
January 31, 2023
Rob and I read a chapter of this book a week aloud together and have really liked the new perspectives it offers. Since one of the editors is my nephew, I could reasonably be accused of bias!
April 25, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned much about Joseph Smith's life from reading it. It is a collection of essays written by various Latter-Day Saint religious writers/researchers and tells about many different aspects and experiences relating to the Prophet's life and times.
March 16, 2022
This book is a number of short essays on Joseph Smith. Some are on topics and events that you have read much about, but others offer a look at Joseph and his circumstances in a way that you may never have read or heard about.
In the chapter, THE EMOTIONAL WORK OF THE GATHERING it talks about the many character traits that Joseph had to deal with in his everyday life. The work of keeping frayed tempers and feelings in check was real. The emotional work of keeping the community together had to be draining on Joseph.
The story of Jane Neyman had me intrigued when I first heard it. She is the woman that had a teenage son name Cyrus who had died before being baptized and when she first heard the sermon given by Joseph that talked about Baptism for the dead, she went out to the Mississippi river with an elder and another woman on a horse, named Vienna Jaques, who would be the witness, and was baptized for her son Cyrus. She was the first person on record who was baptized for one who had died in this dispensation. One thing that I didn't know about her story is that she was rejected by the Nauvoo Relief Society. At the time in Nauvoo there were several men who had seduced or tried to seduce several women, claiming Joseph Smith's authorization. Late in May of 1842, three women, including 2 of Janes daughters, testified to being victims to these unscrupulous acts of these men. Because her daughters had been involved, Jane was rejected by the Nauvoo Relief Society when she applied. However when she moved to Utah she was called to help settle Beaver and when the Relief Society was established there she was called to be it's first President.
From the Chapter JOSEPH SMITH AND COUNCILS it says that Joseph commented in a council in 1834 that he regreted that past councils had been deprived of some or many blessings because he had not taught the order in which a council ought to be conducted. One principle was that members needed to come with PURE HEARTS. Explaining this Joseph said, "We frequently are so filled with prejudice or have a beam in our own eye that we are not capable of passing right decisions." In this context purity meant to guard against bias. Furthermore council members should take their duty seriously. In ancient days, Joseph explained, councils were conducted with such strick propriety that no one was aloud to whisper, be weary, leave the room or get uneasy in the least, until the voice of the Lord by revelation or by the voice of the council told by the spirit was obtained. In the saints council by contrast, Joseph had participants who were napping or distracted. In our day he would have undoubtedly added looking at their phones or unsuccessfully multitasking. He encouraged church leaders to do better.
In the chapter, THE EMOTIONAL WORK OF THE GATHERING it talks about the many character traits that Joseph had to deal with in his everyday life. The work of keeping frayed tempers and feelings in check was real. The emotional work of keeping the community together had to be draining on Joseph.
The story of Jane Neyman had me intrigued when I first heard it. She is the woman that had a teenage son name Cyrus who had died before being baptized and when she first heard the sermon given by Joseph that talked about Baptism for the dead, she went out to the Mississippi river with an elder and another woman on a horse, named Vienna Jaques, who would be the witness, and was baptized for her son Cyrus. She was the first person on record who was baptized for one who had died in this dispensation. One thing that I didn't know about her story is that she was rejected by the Nauvoo Relief Society. At the time in Nauvoo there were several men who had seduced or tried to seduce several women, claiming Joseph Smith's authorization. Late in May of 1842, three women, including 2 of Janes daughters, testified to being victims to these unscrupulous acts of these men. Because her daughters had been involved, Jane was rejected by the Nauvoo Relief Society when she applied. However when she moved to Utah she was called to help settle Beaver and when the Relief Society was established there she was called to be it's first President.
From the Chapter JOSEPH SMITH AND COUNCILS it says that Joseph commented in a council in 1834 that he regreted that past councils had been deprived of some or many blessings because he had not taught the order in which a council ought to be conducted. One principle was that members needed to come with PURE HEARTS. Explaining this Joseph said, "We frequently are so filled with prejudice or have a beam in our own eye that we are not capable of passing right decisions." In this context purity meant to guard against bias. Furthermore council members should take their duty seriously. In ancient days, Joseph explained, councils were conducted with such strick propriety that no one was aloud to whisper, be weary, leave the room or get uneasy in the least, until the voice of the Lord by revelation or by the voice of the council told by the spirit was obtained. In the saints council by contrast, Joseph had participants who were napping or distracted. In our day he would have undoubtedly added looking at their phones or unsuccessfully multitasking. He encouraged church leaders to do better.
August 4, 2021
I have been listening to this book of brief essays written by "over 40 individuals who have studied Joseph [Smith]...from a variety of backgrounds; many are historians, while others are editors, writers, and teachers...the result [is] something like a college course on Joseph and the early church with a different professor each day."
It is marvelous.
The preface is instructive about the style and purpose of what follows. After an essay summarizing a very few of the things Joseph did or set in motion in his lifetime.
The book is then divided into three sections:
•Part 1: Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania, 1805-1830
•Part 2: Ohio and Missouri, 1831-1839
•Part 3: Nauvoo, 1839-1844
Each essay contains citations and notes to sources used. And in case you are wondering, those sources are reputable, vast in number and scope.
What was Joseph Smith, Jr. like? With friends? Enemies? Family? What experiences did he have and judge poorly? Where did he exceed his poor American farm boy upbringing? What was his character when not in front if a group? When stressed? When sad? What did he want for himself and those who believed his testimony of Jesus Christ and Joseph's calling? Why? What errors did he make and how did he deal with them? What did he teach? What did he not teach?
It's possible to know more *about* "Brother Joseph" and this is a decades long, well-researched compilation of distilled insights from those who have done the work themselves. Here, in accessible essays easily read by anyone, is the opportunity to know for themselves--or begin to.
It is marvelous.
The preface is instructive about the style and purpose of what follows. After an essay summarizing a very few of the things Joseph did or set in motion in his lifetime.
The book is then divided into three sections:
•Part 1: Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania, 1805-1830
•Part 2: Ohio and Missouri, 1831-1839
•Part 3: Nauvoo, 1839-1844
Each essay contains citations and notes to sources used. And in case you are wondering, those sources are reputable, vast in number and scope.
What was Joseph Smith, Jr. like? With friends? Enemies? Family? What experiences did he have and judge poorly? Where did he exceed his poor American farm boy upbringing? What was his character when not in front if a group? When stressed? When sad? What did he want for himself and those who believed his testimony of Jesus Christ and Joseph's calling? Why? What errors did he make and how did he deal with them? What did he teach? What did he not teach?
It's possible to know more *about* "Brother Joseph" and this is a decades long, well-researched compilation of distilled insights from those who have done the work themselves. Here, in accessible essays easily read by anyone, is the opportunity to know for themselves--or begin to.
November 14, 2021
I thoroughly loved this book. Each chapter is only a few pages long and focuses on an aspect of the life of Joseph Smith. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have a deep honor and respect for Joseph Smith. I do not worship him, but view him as an inspired man. Portions of his history have caused some people to be uncomfortable with his history, or even to have feelings of anger towards him. These essays have helped me understand his character better and have offered insight to the type of person he truly was. My respect for him has grown as a result.
These essays have been an outgrowth of the work historians have done on the Joseph Smith papers project. Many original sources are cited in each chapter, which can point the reader to additional references in order to learn more. This is a great book for anybody who wants to better understand the life and character of Joseph Smith.
These essays have been an outgrowth of the work historians have done on the Joseph Smith papers project. Many original sources are cited in each chapter, which can point the reader to additional references in order to learn more. This is a great book for anybody who wants to better understand the life and character of Joseph Smith.
December 30, 2021
This year was the perfect time to read this book … while studying the Doctrine and Covenants. As many times as I have read the D&C, because of great podcasts and books like this one, Ive learned more than ever before about the people and times and doctrine of this book of scripture. I’m thankful to all the men and women who have spent years with the Joseph Smith papers in order to impart some of the things they have learned in the form of this book. I do stand with all those who believe that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God.
January 1, 2022
I love reading about Joseph Smith so this was an obvious choice for me. This book is a little different because it is a compilation of essays from various authors. All of the essays are also kept to about 1500 words. This makes it easy to read little by little. The authors are all historians or experts in various fields. I loved reading their different perspectives on specific characteristics of Joseph! This format just lets you dig a little deeper into Joseph's personality and character. I really enjoyed this!
October 19, 2024
Format is unique. 43 scholars author essays on the life of the prophet; essays divided into historical periods pre-1830 New England, 1830-39, and Nauvoo post-1839. Essays are succinct and written for the everyday reader. Thus, the book serves as a sort of index for Smith's life. There's something for everyone here. I particularly liked Anthony Sweat's essay on the fraught relationship between Joseph and his brother William. While this and other essays treat the warts of Joseph's character, no author portrays him in a negative light.
Read while I was visiting Nauvoo.
Read while I was visiting Nauvoo.
October 8, 2022
Many of the editors of the Joseph Smith Papers contributed short essays that are much more readable and accessible than the 12,000 pages of scholarly research that has been published as part of the Joseph Smith Papers project. Although there isn't much new material, the essays give insights into the life of this remarkable man. I especially like how short each essay is. I would rather read more than 40 short chapters than 10 long ones.
July 18, 2023
This book has a lot of short chapters, each chapter is by a different author/historian who has been involved with the Joseph Smith Papers project. Each chapter highlights a different subject pertaining to Joseph Smith and his life. Some of the chapters were quite interesting, but each chapter was so short it often felt like the subject was scarcely begun to be explored and then the chapter was over. I was frequently left wanting more.
July 16, 2021
This is an insightful compilation of essays written by some of the leading current LDS authors and historians.
It is boldly apologetic, but I think that it is helpful. A strong apologists view, mixed with fair minded biographies helps illustrate the complexity and nuance to the character of Joseph Smith.
It is boldly apologetic, but I think that it is helpful. A strong apologists view, mixed with fair minded biographies helps illustrate the complexity and nuance to the character of Joseph Smith.
September 3, 2021
I really liked this book. I learned so much about the Prophet Joseph Smith from the variety of essays by various authors, educators, and historians who contributed to this book. I really grew to love and revere this man more than I ever had before. He was truly a man ahead of his time and more than that, a true prophet of God.
September 17, 2021
This book of brief essays written by "over 40 individuals who have studied Joseph [Smith]...from a variety of backgrounds; many are historians, while others are editors, writers, and teachers...the result [is] something like a college course on Joseph and the early church with a different professor each day."
November 21, 2021
This has been my Sunday book for a while. I found it highly interesting, but somewhat frustrating too. I would just get into a chapter and it would be over. I wanted a deeper dive, and not a superficial summary of the various aspects of Joseph’s life/character. What is written is very good and fair-minded; I just wanted more.
February 1, 2022
I’ve studied SO much about Joseph, and this book gave me SO many new insights into his life. I feel like I “know Brother Joseph” so much better now, and in so many different ways as well. Each essay had a different focus, yet many themes overlapped. It truly was an insightful book. Now I can say with even more confidence and assurance that he truly was a prophet of God.
January 2, 2026
Not really a book, but a collection of short essays. This one took me way too long to get through because of the format. The essays were all disjointed from one another, so it was difficult to really get into it, and the essays were good, but too short to really get into any real detail. The material was great, but I was not a fan of how it was put together.
August 17, 2021
Great way to have the historians and academic contributors and authors write their thoughts, research into something that is relatable to everyday folks knowledge and understanding. It’s a great read.
September 13, 2021
This book was so interesting. The well written essays were composed by those who have studied Joseph's life intently as they put together the Joseph Smith Papers. I loved learning more about his character and personality.
November 2, 2022
Forty-three well-written and researched essays from different people on Joseph Smith. I even learned new things and gained new perspectives about Joseph, which I found really cool. I also liked that each essay wasn't too long. I could read one a day along with my scripture study. Well done!
March 10, 2025
As with all collections like this, I enjoyed some of the essays more than others. There were some things in here that I had never considered, especially about Joseph's early life. There were times I found the female narrator's pronunciation of words a bit distracting, but overall, it was good.
June 10, 2021
As the title says.
August 3, 2021
Loved it - learned some things about Joseph Smith that I didn’t know before. Very readable!
August 11, 2021
Mixed bag. Short essays, and in some cases superficial. Some additional insights, but not a lot of new ground.
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