Sources On Missouri Period Of Church History

[Scott Lloyd]

I'm currently at work on a long article for the next edition of the Deseret Morning News Church Almanac on the Missouri period of Church history.

So far, my reading has included A Comprehensive History of the Church by B.H. Roberts; Rough Stone Rolling by Bushman; The Story of the Latter-day Saints by James B. Allen and Glen M. Leonard; and Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint History: Misssouri, a superb compilation with contributions from John K. Carmack, A. Gary Anderson, Richard Lloyd Anderson, Alexander L. Baugh, Alvin K. Benson, Susan Easton Black and others.

I'm also picking up some tidbits here and there, such as Jeffrey N. Walker's presentation at the FAIR Conference on Joseph Smith's escape from Liberty Jail. That and the occasion a year ago in Columbia marking 30 years since Gov. Kit Bond rescinded Boggs's Extermination Order.

Are there essentials I'm overlooking? Any new scholarship, etc.?

[Doctor Steuss]

Are there essentials I'm overlooing? Any new scholarship, etc.?

Not really "new" nor "essential," but you might find some more tidbits in the first 60 or so pages of Schindler's biography on Rockwell. Make sure you get the 2nd edition and pay attention to his footnotes (as some of the most interesting information is contained in them). One such tidbit from a footnote that I found particularly interesting was taken from Tullidge, History of Salt Lake City in which it showed how Gen. John B. Clark interpreted Bogg's extermination order.

Here's a real gem from it:

You need not expect any mercy, but extermination, for I am determined that the Governor's order shall be executed. (The emoticon wasn't in the footnote though).

Also, it gives brief overviews of Haunâ??s Mill and the events in the Big Blue district.

[Uncle Dale]

I'm currently at work on a long article for the next edition of the Deseret Morning News Church Almanac on the Missouri period of Church history.

So far, my reading has included A Comprehensive History of the Church by B.H. Roberts; Rough Stone Rolling by Bushman; The Story of the Latter-day Saints by James B. Allen and Glen M. Leonard; and Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint History: Misssouri, a superb compilation with contributions from John K. Carmack, A. Gary Anderson, Richard Lloyd Anderson, Alexander L. Baugh, Alvin K. Benson, Susan Easton Black and others.

I'm also picking up some tidbits here and there, such as Jeffrey N. Walker's presentation at the FAIR Conference on Joseph Smith's escape from Liberty Jail. That and the occasion a year ago in Columbia marking 30 years since Gov. Kit Bond rescinded Boggs's Extermination Order.

Are there essentials I'm overlooking? Any new scholarship, etc.?

If there is anything worth knowing, Alex Baugh knows it -- you can't go wrong with him.

Just ask him for an update.

You'll also find an extensive collection of 1830s newspaper articles on the Missouri period at my web-site.

Check with the Missouri State Archives for unpublished source materials on Cowdery, the Whitmers, etc.

UD

.

[Duncan]

Try this book "A History of the Latter-day Saints in Northern Missouri from 1836 to 1839" by Leland H. Gentry. I think you get it from the BYU Bookstore.

[randy]

Hi Scott,

Another excellent source is "The Refiner's Fire" by Alvin R. Dyer. You might exercise your special "powers" and try to get in touch with Graham W. Doxey. He was President of the Missouri Indep. Mission here in the mid 70's...and subsequently called as a special liason to the First Presidency regarding any issues concerning this area.

I look forward to your article.

[Matthew J. Tandy]

Eyewtiness Accounts of Joseph Smith (I think the 2nd volume) has some regular joe comments on the period. Remembering Joseph has a few tidbits too, but I recommend searching the CD that comes with the book for convenience.

As you already mentioned, the Regional Studies book is excellent too.

[joeman335td]

I think that "The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri" by Stephen C. LeSeuer is an excellent source on that particular period and is relatively unbiased.

[Scott Lloyd]

My thanks to all those who have responded to this inquiry. I will definitely consider your suggestions.

[Uncle Dale]

My thanks to all those who have responded to this inquiry. I will definitely consider your suggestions.

Of course, Scott, which source materials you choose to consult and make use of, will depend much

upon your purpose and the audience you wish to address.

If you are mainly interested in faith promotion, then there is little in the more recent scholarship to

help you out. That is, unless you are prepared to transcend some traditionalist thinking, and see God's

hand at work in ways that the Saints have generally avoided talking about.

Bushman brings up an interesting point in his JS bio, saying that the JS of the late Missouri period seemed

detached and not always leading in an active sort of way. This may be true, or it may be a misunderstanding

of historical events and selective reporting.

At any rate, the more recent scholarship is at least very interesting, and at most troubling to our old

understandings of Missouri history, written in terms of good Saints vs evil Gentiles, etc.

UD

.

[Scott Lloyd]

Of course, Scott, which source materials you choose to consult and make use of, will depend much

upon your purpose and the audience you wish to address.

If you are mainly interested in faith promotion, then there is little in the more recent scholarship to

help you out. That is, unless you are prepared to transcend some traditionalist thinking, and see God's

hand at work in ways that the Saints have generally avoided talking about.

Bushman brings up an interesting point in his JS bio, saying that the JS of the late Missouri period seemed

detached and not always leading in an active sort of way. This may be true, or it may be a misunderstanding

of historical events and selective reporting.

At any rate, the more recent scholarship is at least very interesting, and at most troubling to our old

understandings of Missouri history, written in terms of good Saints vs evil Gentiles, etc.

UD

.

Any recitation of history is, by nature, selective. Space alone precludes one from including each and every detail and nuance -- especially in an almanac-length treatment of something so complex as the Missouri period of Church history.

But I think a straight retelling is faith-promoting enough that I'm not worried about having to do any conscious "sanitizing."

At the same time, I'm wary of revisionist history and think it needs to be viewed at least as critically as is so-called "faithful history." I note, for example, that Richard Lloyd Anderson takes well-reasoned exception to some of LeSeur's conclusions about the Mormon War.

In his presentation at the Mormon History Association Conference in May, Ronald Walker said the time has come to scrutinize the revisionists as has been done with the traditional historians in Church history. He applied the philosophy of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel to the subject, suggesting that traditional Church history is "thesis," revisionist history is "antithesis," and what results from the clash of the two is "synthesis."

By the way, I especially appreciate your suggestion about Alex Baugh. I'm well enough acquainted with him that I think I can approach him and get some valuable input. I had in mind to do this anyway, but your suggestion solidified my intent. When contacting him, I'll drop your name, if you don't mind.

[Uncle Dale]

..

In his presentation at the Mormon History Association Conference in May, Ronald Walker said the time has come to scrutinize the revisionists as has been done with the traditional historians in Church history. He applied the philosophy of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel to the subject, suggesting that traditional Church history is "thesis," revisionist history is "antithesis," and what results from the clash of the two is "synthesis."

The good stuff always seems to come to light as a result of extended dialogue -- I'm always looking for it

By the way, I especially appreciate your suggestion about Alex Baugh. I'm well enough acquainted with him that I think I can approach him and get some valuable input. I had in mind to do this anyway, but your suggestion solidified my intent. When contacting him, I'll drop your name, if you don't mind.

He probably still thinks I'm with CoC --- let him down gently

UD

[Scott Lloyd]

He probably still thinks I'm with CoC --- let him down gently

UD

Maybe I'll refer him to your Web site. That should fill him in -- if he needs filling in.