Know Brother Joseph: New Perspectives on Joseph Smith's Life and Character

by R. Eric Smith (Editor), Matthew C. Godfrey (Editor), Matthew J. and Grow (Editor)

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.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

299 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2021

Reviews

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is a series of essays by various authors on the life and character of the Prophet Joseph. The are grouped in such a way that different essays that deal with similar time periods and topics are together so there is some overlap in stories and details. It was interesting to see different perspectives, all of which culminated to show how God called an ordinary man to do extraordinary things. Joseph was a man who did his best to do God’s will and is an example of faithfulness in difficult times and circumstances. The is a very inspiring book.

[Laurie Langlois Denning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book on Joseph Smith to date, and I have read many! A collection of scholarly essays, each work is supported by extensive footnotes from credible sources. I recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about Joseph Smith. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I already knew a lot about Joseph, but this added to my knowledge and testimony in significant ways. This will be an important part of my reference library from now on.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might be more of a 3-1/2 star book for me. There were some good essays but there were also some that didn't shed much new light on what has already been published about Joseph Smith. And for the ones that were good, because of the word-count constraint that the authors were given, the good essays were too short.

[Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like I knew Joseph Smith better after listening to this book. It was written by many authors who researched different parts of his life. They presented their findings in a realistic and empathetic way. I appreciate their efforts.

[Sam W Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Millions shall know…

If readers can view this book with the same compassion and allowance toward Joseph Smith that they hope others to allot to them they would know that Joseph was not perfect just as each of us can never be. He was a good man and a true Prophet.

[Corby Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A raw copy paste of a lot of overlapping journal entries. Probably awesome for the history buff. But for a peon like me it wasn't the most insightful read;

[Angieluila Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspectives.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of my objectives in reading include:

• Gain new insights. I hunger for the feeling of truth refreshing my heart and mind.
• Obtain cause to wonder. Effective writing, information sharing, and sincere attempt to convey truth are indicated when I have cause to reflect and ponder … beyond the moment in which words pass across my eye and minds eye.
• Identify anew how little I know in the fullest sense of that word. A reading that causes me once again to recognize how dark the lenses I wear are, is paradoxically refreshing.

This compilation of essays accomplished these purposes for me and more. More?

I so appreciate various authors expressions of faith and wonderings throughout. And their demonstration of active faith as each (or many) have, by way of the papers project, labored in their wondering. Thank you.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book collects excellent essays from historians associated with the Joseph Smith Papers project. The essays treat many aspects of the live of this remarkable man. The essays are readable and well documented, and so informative, including many little known facts and incidents.