Joseph Smith III: Pragmatic Prophet

by Roger D. Launius

This masterful study charts the extensive common ground and telling differences between two widely separated coal-mining Lanarkshire, in the Clyde Valley of southwest Scotland, and the northern Illinois coalfield that became a prime destination for skilled Scottish migrant miners in the mid-nineteenth century.   Challenging the prevailing exceptionalist paradigm of labor history, John Laslett examines the social, economic, and political context of each of these communities in generous detail. He traces the progressive heightening of class consciousness as the coal industry evolved from skilled hand labor to an increasingly mechanized extraction process and the escalating hostility between miners and mineowners as their interests split along class lines. Examining the rise of militant industrial unionism in both areas, Laslett provides a sophisticated explanation of the American and Scottish miners' divergent approaches to collectivist solutions.   Based on a profound knowledge of both communities, Colliers across the Sea tells a compelling story of industrial transformation's human costs, of conflict and greed, and of democratic aspirations and community.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mormonism, Biography

424 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1988

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Amaryah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really enjoyed learning about Joseph Smith III. I knew virtually nothing about him before reading this and found his work as prophet of the RLDS church and involvement in bringing about the end of polygamy in Utah fascinating. I also consistently felt annoyed at him for never acknowledging/believing his father’s role in introducing polygamy to the Saints. He seemed so entirely different from Joseph Smith Jr., in personal, professional, and spiritual life, and that is part of what is so interesting.

As for the writing itself, overall it was pretty good, but I did think at times that the book could have used one more edit through. It occasionally was redundant in parts or could have been more concise. Still, because I enjoyed the subject matter and it was well cited, four stars.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had previously only read about Joseph III in the context of the lives of his mother and father, and was excited to learn more about him and about the RLDS/Community of Christ branch of Mormonism. This is a well-organized and interesting treatment of a historical figure who I find both very sympathetic and sometimes very frustrating. The research is great, the humanity of the figures it discusses really shines, and despite having a clear theological and personal affinity for his subject, Launius did discuss in-depth some of the situations where Joseph III was pretty rigid/inflexible about dealing with dissenting voices within RLDS and his cognitive dissonance and denial regarding his father’s practice of polygamy, which I definitely appreciated. The book was also organized thematically with some chronological overlap between chapters, which is something I think can be very effective in biography and really worked here. In terms of minor quibbles, the writing style is sometimes a little dry and I personally would have liked more discussion of Joseph’s relationships with his siblings.

I read this biography concurrently with John Turner's "Pioneer Prophet", which is about Brigham Young, and I think they made a very interesting pairing of rival succession claimants who could hardly have been more different, both as leaders and as men.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the first prophet-president of the RLDS Church, the second largest denomination to trace its lineage back to Joseph Smith, Jr.’s Restorationist movement. A must-read for anyone with an interest in Mormon history.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book discusses the split between Brighamite Mormons and the RLDS Church.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book , easy to read and gives a side or Mormon history of which the standard LDS are unaware.

[Jeremy Coe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject matter was interesting, but I felt this book was poorly written.

[Magen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely necessary reading for any interested in Mormon History.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story. Quick look at how a modern day apostasy can happen so quickly. Well written.