Believing History: Latter-Day Saint Essays

This is a nice little compilation of essays by Richard Bushman on the Book of Mormon and Mormonism in general. It's a bit dry at times, and follows no real theme (because it's a collection) but you'll be a better person for it. For non-Mormons, I think you'll find it interesting to see how someone as obviously erudite as Bushman avoids all the clichés you've heard and probably helped spread about Mormons but still ends up a full believer in it. Like all religions, it takes many types and we only spread the worst interpretations.

Probably the best part of this book is the chapter in which Bushman tries to explain in a straightforward, sincere way why he believes in Mormonism and continues to devote his life to it, despite the areas of belief that cannot be intellectually understood. I consider that essay essential reading for every Latter-Day Saint that who tries to reconcile intellectual uncertainty and the spiritual stirrings of faith. For that matter, it is recommended for people of any religious background who struggle with that same thing. I think he exemplifies the way in which faith and spirituality can greatly complement reason and intellect, and that the process of intertwining them is deeply satisfying in a way that neither half can be on its own.

One of the values of Professor Bushman's essays on the history of Mormons and Mormonism is that he is up front with the reader about his own views on the truth claims of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He does not hide his commitment to the Church and its teachings, but is simultaneously honest about the facts he reports and the facts he does not know. Reading the essays is like sitting down over dinner with an intelligent friend who relates his own understanding with integrity and lays out the reasons for his analysis. Whether or not you accept the assertions of Joseph Smith about his experiences, Bushman notes, the evidence, of the kind that historians rely on for all other facts, shows that Smith himself spoke and acted consistently with HIM actually believing in the truth of his experiences. Similarly, whether or not you accept Bushman's conclusions on various issues, it is clear that Bushman himself has come honestly to his conclusions, while recognizing your right to disagree. His writing is lucid and does not conceal facts behind glittering generalities. Where facts are unclear he does not create a fictional version to satisfy our desire to speculate. Reading these essays, one wishes that more scholars who study the New Testament were willing to be similarly frank when they tell us their assessment of that collection of texts.

Bushman has written some very good essays over the years, which are compiled in this book. Previous to reading these essays, I read his most recent book, Rough Stone Rolling. Both of these books are great. Bushman does not tell you, the reader, what to think because of the events that happened many years ago. All that he does is report the history & report it in the context of what was happening at the time & the general attitudes of the peoples of America at the time history happened. This book is good for Member and Non Member of the LDS Faith.