About the Book:

For the first time a historian has given us a national, as well as a local matrix into which one can place the life of Joseph Smith and his Nauvoo community, and in that context make better sense of it all. This book in the works for 30 years over 800 pages is the first to present such a comprehensive and detailed look at the short period preceding the Prophets martyrdom. It is ground-breaking for these reasons:

It examines the Anti-Mormon network that planned the murders of Joseph and Hyrum, and the expulsion of the Saints from Illinois.

It identifies key players and the involvement of eachshowing clear evidence of Governor Fords early involvement in the plans for the murders.

An extensive legal analysis of the charges of treason against Joseph Smith, and concludes that the charges were completely without foundation.

An extensive analysis of the freedom of the press issueoften mis-represented by historiansthat arose over the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor. It turns out that contrary to what has been written regarding the subjectthe question of freedom of the press was not an issue of the time.

It examines about 250 newspapers throughout the United States and the Republic of Texas, to demonstrate the real mood of the nation regarding Joseph Smith and the Mormons generallythe depth of this research just has not been done in the past! And what it shows is quite different than historians have represented it to be!

It follows through the nations newspapers Joseph Smiths candidacy for President of the United States, and shows that his candidacy was actually taken very seriously!

It has a comprehensive index and the last chapter is a fascinating and exhaustive look at obituaries published in newspapers throughout the country after the martyrdom!

Book Review:  ★★★★★★

Many people who know me, know that I am very finicky about the books on LDS history that I read. I am usually very cautious about expressing my reasons for this, because people frequently misunderstand that my issue is often with the method, or quality of the writing — and not with the Church itself. I get frustrated with people that feel they need to apologize for our history — or make up excuses for the actions of our ancestors. Either that or they paint the early times of the Church as everything was rosy, and turned out alright — even if there were horrors that they had to go through. And besides look what great people we are now, because of those atrocities.I love to read about LDS history, when I can read just that — the history, and the stories without the justification, explanation, or excuses of the author to cloud the issue. I love my heritage, but I am not naive enough to believe that the early Saints were perfect. Nor do I believe that I would do any where near as good as they did, in enduring all that they were called on to endure. But I can appreciate the history — and I prefer to read it, in the context it was written in — not with the blanket of our current day morality covering the events of the past.

This book is one of the best books I have read on LDS history. Not only does it explore the political environment of the early Church, it also allows the story of the Church to be told, on the canvas of that environment. It is a long book, but it explores in depth not only the actions of the Saints, and the early Church leaders, but it also looks closely at the publications of the time; the personal histories that have survived from the era, Mormon’s, anti-Mormon’s, Anti-Mormon’s, observers and apostates. This is also one of the more interesting looks into Joseph Smith’s bid for the office of the the President of the United States, and presents many of his beliefs and ideas on the subject of our government. Considered a man of wisdom and profound understanding in the political arena, Joseph Smith was also viewed as somewhat of a radical in the question of State’s rights vs. Federal Government rights. No one can read this book and consider Joseph Smith, like his contemporaries, a true patriot, and a devoted States man of the American cause.

This is also an in depth look into the myriad causes that would ultimately lead the Prophet, and his brother to their deaths, in June of 1844. Combining all of the intrigue, and knowledge of the time, one comes away from this book with a true appreciation for all of the forces that combined against Joseph Smith in his work, and the extent he and his brother went to, to buy the Saints the time they needed, to get to safety. This is a book that is well worth the time investment to read. It has a great deal to offer, in the are of Church history, and it is a great addition to the knowledge of the LDS people, and what made them the people, and the Church they are today.

Tags: Biography, Government, History, LDS, Mormon, Murder, Non-Fiction, Religious

Category: Biography/Autobiography, History, Non-Fiction, Philosophy, Politics, Religious, True Crime