The History of Joseph Smith by His Mother

Both of the below two reviewers (look at them in reverse chronology order) are mistaken: First and foremost, this volume does NOT contain the original manuscript as dictated by Mother Smith (called the preliminary manuscript), nor does it contain the revised manuscript, which was published by the LDS Church in 1853. Secondly, the revised manuscript (which the below reviewer mistakes for the preliminary manuscript) is what was commissioned and paid for by the Quorum of the Twelve. This is the manuscript that was copyrighted by Lucy Mack Smith, with a copy given to her and to the Quorum in 1845 by the Corey's, who took the dictation and wrote the manuscript. This manuscript consists of the preliminary manuscript with about 14% being trimmed and the adding of additional material from Joseph Smith's history as published up to 1845. Third, after the 1853 publication of the revised manuscript, some of the Saints (now in Utah) doubted the accuracy and some of the views contained within the volume. A revision committee consisting of George A. Smith and Elias Smith, went over the volume and found the 1853 volume generally trustworthy-they created a new manuscript that was finally published in 1902. Fourth, in 1945 the current edition that most of us know was published, this time with minor editing by Preston Nibley. What the above volume provides is an editorialized reading narrative that preserves much of the essence of the dictated manuscript. It also abounds in introductory material, chapter notes and appendices that explain and illustrate the Smith family genealogy and chronology. The reading of the text will be good enough for most readers, and the volume is recommended for what it does. Now, if you wish to read the "original" manuscript-the preliminary manuscript; unlike the below reader who THINKS the 1853 publication is the dictated manuscript, the best book to consult is: Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, by LAVINA FIELDING ANDERSON, ed., Signature Books (May 2001), ISBN: 1560851376. If you wish further information on Mother Smith's History and the manuscripts of her history, the current volume does give much information to this and its publication history, and the authors do site the following article, Richard Lloyd Anderson, "The Reliability of the Early History of Lucy and Joseph Smith," in Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 4 (Summer 1969) 13-28; which I recommend.

Contrary to what some other reviews say, this book contains Mother Smith's original manuscript UN-EDITED with later notes added to the footnotes as cross-references. Brigham Young pulled the book off the shelf for a time because people were referring to it for a while as scripture, which it was not. The leadership wanted to make sure the dates and activities that were recorded, since they were coming from her memory - not from her diaries - were correct. This book is a spoken history, recorded by an assistant, not direct from her diaries. When the dates and stories were later confirmed, the manuscript was released again for publication. Where there are differences in dates and names (not many), the differences are noted. There are NO differences in the facts of these stories with official church doctrine. So to imply that there is some great difference between versions is ridiculous. Period. Reading Lucy Mack Smith's first-hand account of the trials and tribulations of the Smith family was a great reminder of the importance of family sticking together. I read bits and pieces out of my sister's copy for a few weeks, and finally broke down and got my own copy so that I could read it end to end. Mother Smith's account provides some important spiritual insight that you just won't get in the typical historical books of the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Her writings capture the urgency of the work, and the constant movements of a family repeatedly persecuted and driven from their home by mobs. It's just a wonderful book.

---JOSEPH SMITH HAD GREAT MENTORS WITHIN HIS FAMILY, AND THEN HE WAS MENTORED BY DEITY.Reading the revelations received by the prophet Joseph Smith are inspirational. But it is good to see the restoration from the point of view of his mother. She tells some stories that we wouldn't know from any other source (like the story of his leg operation at age 9). I was mostly impressed with how much constant persecution and distraction Joseph Smith and his family had to endure ON AN ONGOING BASIS for the whole time Joseph Smith was prophet. It never let up. It's a miracle that he was able to accomplish anything at all.Many stories were ones I had never heard before. One story that I had never heard before was the time Joseph Smith's dad was thrown in jail for 30 days for a minor debt he owed. They told him they would let him free if he would just deny his testimony. He stayed in prison the whole 30 days and converted another person while in jail.By reading this book, we can have Joseph Smith and his family (especially his mother) be OUR OWN MENTORS, to help us to be the kind of people they were.--George Stancliffe

This is one of the key primary sources in studying the life of Joseph Smith. Others include the History of the Church, edited by B. H. Roberts, and the Papers of Joseph Smith, edited by Dean C. Jesse.We see the life of Joseph Smith only as a mother could see him. We also have a broader history of the Smith and Mack families, and we learn more about Alvin, Joseph Smith's brother who died due to medical malpractice.

In my opinion, this book is a must-read. Lucy Mack Smith's account of the constant challenges and incredible opposition she and her family faced, helped me regain courage to face my own small trials. Lucy Mack was a woman worth emulating. She had amazing faith in God, a deep love for family, and burning desire to impart the truth to all with whom she came in contact. I'm a better person for having "met her" through this great book.