Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism

Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism
by Richard L. Bushman

Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism
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Book Summary Information

Author: Richard L. Bushman
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1987-12-01
ISBN: 0252060121
Number of pages: 272
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

Book Reviews of Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism

Book Review: A Faithful, Well-Argued Book by a Mormon Historian
Summary: 5 Stars

I agree with another reviewer. "Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism" is an interesting and provocative defense of the sacred story. Bushman is an elegant historian with a special skill in defending the faith story. That his arguments are as successful as they are is a measure of his historical versimilitude. While it is an important synthesis, Bushman's book will be acceptable mostly to believing Mormons."

I do admire Bushman for his honesty in praising Fawn Brodie's "No Man Knows My History." "As notable for its journalistic brilliance as for its scholarship, 'No Man Knows My History' presented Riley's arguments and findings in a form more palatable to twentieth century tastes."

Such an honest appraisal would never have happened in the decades following Brodie's 1946 book. It might have even earned Bushman excommunication. Wow, how times have changed.

See my 3-star review of Bushman's "Rough Stone Rolling." Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling I agree that it was brilliantly written and well researched, but it did have some significant errors.

Also see my one-star (less if I could) of Hartt Wixom's "Critiquing the Critics." Critiquing the Critics of Joseph Smith

I also gave one-star reviews to Hugh Nibley's books. Lehi in the Desert, the World of the Jaredites, There Were Jaredites (Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol 5) Since Cumorah: The Book of Mormon in the modern world and An Approach to the Book of Mormon (Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol 6)

Another one-star for: "Echoes and Evidences," a collection of articles edited by Donald W. Parry, Daniel C. Peterson, and John W. Welch. This book earned it's one star. See: Echoes and Evidences of the Book of Mormon

Also one star is John L. Sorenson's book: Images of Ancient America: Visualizing Book of Mormon Life

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