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Hi I am wanting to conduct an in depth study in 2016 of the life of Joseph Smith . What books would any of you suggest ??? Thank You. The first one that comes to mind is: Joseph Smith Rough Stone Rolling by: Richard Lyman Bushman. IMO it is fair & balanced.
I agree with RSR, it’s a great book. You might also check out the Joseph Smith Papers project online as well as the books. Rough Stone Rolling is my favorite. You might also get a lot out of Michael Quinn’s Early Mormonism and the Magical World View
While you read those and study, I suggest you stay balanced in church doctrine and experience, and remember that Joseph is part of the church history. Keep it in it’s place as part of the church story, and let it open your eyes to how mormonism works, not let it shock you that it must be false…one does not have to conclude that, nor is it difficult to force belief in the church despite history. It simply is what it is.
The three suggestions so far are excellent. I really enjoyed the book “Mormon Enigma” about Emma Smith. It is a little older and therefore might not contain all the latest information and the focus is on Emma rather than Joseph, but you might find it helpful. You may wish to consult the resources listed under Joseph Smith / Emma Hale Smith on mormonspetrum.org: http://www.mormonspectrum.org/booklist/ Some of these are from a less than faithful perspective, so keep that in mind.
JOSEPH SMITH/EMMA HALE SMITH
American Crucifixion: The Murder of Joseph Smith and the Fate of the Mormon Church – Alex Beam
Joseph Smith: The First Mormon – Donna Hill
Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling – Richard Lyman Bushman
Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet – Dan Vogel
Joseph Smiths 1828 – 1843 Revelations – H. Michael Marquardt
Mormon Enigma – Linda King Newell & Valeen Tippetts Avery
No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith – Fawn M. Brodie
Personal Writings of Joseph Smith – Dean C. Jessee
The Prophet Puzzle: Interpretive Essays on Joseph Smith – Bryan Waterman
The Words of Joseph Smith: The contemporary accounts of the Nauvoo discourses of the Prophet Joseph – Andrew F. Ehat
American Crucifixion-Alex Beam. The most recent book, reads more like popular history than dry history and to my knowledge is the only text from the Mormon Spectrum list written by an author (Alex Beam) that truly seems to have no agenda. He is not Mormon or Anti-Mormon (Catholic I believe) and he knew very little about Mormons before his publisher approached him to write this book. Alex Beam had a distinguished career with the Boston Globe before the long process of writing the book and seems to have esteem from all his colleagues. His several interviews avail online before the release of the book show how defensive and respectful he is of Mormons, but he does not sanitize his book either. A book I could not put down.. Don’t expect this kind of easier read from Rough Stone Rolling.
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