From Historian to Dissident: The Book of John Whitmer

Skillfully edited by free-lance research historian Bruce Westergren, From Historian To Dissident: The Book Of John Whitmer presents the earliest commissioned history of Mormonism, spanning the years 1831 to 1844, and penned by John Whitmer, a man who placed his faith in the fledgling Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, yet came to distrust its leadership and was excommunicated in 1838. His record of the church itself, and the people who practiced and spread the faith, is quite highly detailed; at some points the language and wording of 150 years past becomes difficult to follow, and for this an adept editing and sidenotes by Westergren are of great aid for contemporary readers. This firsthand perspective is very highly recommended for anyone with a keen interest in the early history of the Mormon Church.

This book is for those who attempt to see the early Mormon Church through the lense of one who lived through it. It is not easy reading, but it is valuable reading. For those wanting insight into critical episodes of early Mormon history such as Kirtland and Missouri, it is worth the time and effort. The material on the Danites is of interest no matter how one feels about the Church. By reading this book, I got a better sense of the trials and tribulations our early brothers and sisters in the Church faced.