The Essential Joseph Smith (Classics in Mormon Thought Series)

Rating:
Summary: Valuable Introduction to Joseph Smith
Review: Joseph Smith (1805-1844) was one of the most important men in American religious history. It was Smith who gave birth to the religious movement known as Mormonism, the largest representative of which is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, headquartered in Utah. This is a handy collection of Smith's writings and sermons. It is particularly valuable because it is arranged in chronological order. Therefore, you can see the development of his thought from a more-or-less orthodox monotheism to polytheism. This is best seen in the famous (or notorious) "King Follet Discourse" which dates from the end of Smith's life. Smith sets forth his Gnostic approach to theology: "For we have imagined that God was God from the beginning of all eternity. I will refute that idea . . . . He was once a man like one of us . . . ." [p. 235.] Those who consider Mormonism a quirky offshoot of orthodox Christianity ought to read this sermon. This book has a couple of flaws - it lacks a good introduction and notes concerning people and events mentioned in the documents.

Rating:
Summary: Valuable Introduction to Joseph Smith
Review: Joseph Smith (1805-1844) was one of the most important men in American religious history. It was Smith who gave birth to the religious movement known as Mormonism, the largest representative of which is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, headquartered in Utah. This is a handy collection of Smith's writings and sermons. It is particularly valuable because it is arranged in chronological order. Therefore, you can see the development of his thought from a more-or-less orthodox monotheism to polytheism. This is best seen in the famous (or notorious) "King Follet Discourse" which dates from the end of Smith's life. Smith sets forth his Gnostic approach to theology: "For we have imagined that God was God from the beginning of all eternity. I will refute that idea . . . . He was once a man like one of us . . . ." [p. 235.] Those who consider Mormonism a quirky offshoot of orthodox Christianity ought to read this sermon. This book has a couple of flaws - it lacks a good introduction and notes concerning people and events mentioned in the documents.