New Biography of Joseph Smith by John Turner

[brownbear]

Just saw the pre-order listing page for "Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet" by John G. Turner. Turner has previously wrote, "Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet" and "The Mormon Jesus: A Biography".

Joseph Smith Jr. (1805–1844) was one of the most successful and controversial religious leaders of nineteenth-century America, publishing the Book of Mormon and starting what would become the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He built temples, founded a city-state in Illinois, ran for president, and married more than thirty women. This self-made prophet thrilled his followers with his grand vision of peace and unity, but his increasingly grandiose plans tested and sometimes shattered their faith.
 
In this vivid biography, John G. Turner presents Smith as a consummate religious entrepreneur and innovator, a man both flawed and compelling. He sold books, land, and merchandise. And he relentlessly advanced doctrines that tapped into anxieties about the nature and meaning of salvation, the validity of miracles, the timing of Christ’s second coming, and the persistence of human relationships for eternity. His teachings prompted people to gather into communities, evoking fierce opposition from those who saw those communities as theocratic threats to republicanism.
 
With insights from newly accessible diaries, church records, and transcripts of sermons, Turner illuminates Smith’s stunning trajectory, from his beginnings as an uneducated, impoverished farmhand to his ultimate fall at the hands of a murderous mob, revealing how he forged a religious tradition that has resonated with millions of people in the United States and beyond.

John previously had an interview with From The Desk (see here). I am curious to see what comes of this volume. Some rumblings on Facebook stated that he does not believe Joseph Smith had plates (going against Vogel's hypothesis), but I do not know how substantiated the claims are.

This comes on the tail of the Church announcing an official biography on the prophet by Richard Turley called “Joseph the Prophet”.

[CV75]

2 hours ago, brownbear said:

 < he does not believe Joseph Smith had plates (going against Vogel's hypothesis), but I do not know how substantiated the claims are.>

Does he think the plates were in his head?

[Tacenda]

On 11/4/2024 at 1:50 PM, brownbear said:

Just saw the pre-order listing page for "Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet" by John G. Turner. Turner has previously wrote, "Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet" and "The Mormon Jesus: A Biography".

Joseph Smith Jr. (1805–1844) was one of the most successful and controversial religious leaders of nineteenth-century America, publishing the Book of Mormon and starting what would become the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He built temples, founded a city-state in Illinois, ran for president, and married more than thirty women. This self-made prophet thrilled his followers with his grand vision of peace and unity, but his increasingly grandiose plans tested and sometimes shattered their faith.
 
In this vivid biography, John G. Turner presents Smith as a consummate religious entrepreneur and innovator, a man both flawed and compelling. He sold books, land, and merchandise. And he relentlessly advanced doctrines that tapped into anxieties about the nature and meaning of salvation, the validity of miracles, the timing of Christ’s second coming, and the persistence of human relationships for eternity. His teachings prompted people to gather into communities, evoking fierce opposition from those who saw those communities as theocratic threats to republicanism.
 
With insights from newly accessible diaries, church records, and transcripts of sermons, Turner illuminates Smith’s stunning trajectory, from his beginnings as an uneducated, impoverished farmhand to his ultimate fall at the hands of a murderous mob, revealing how he forged a religious tradition that has resonated with millions of people in the United States and beyond.

John previously had an interview with From The Desk (see here). I am curious to see what comes of this volume. Some rumblings on Facebook stated that he does not believe Joseph Smith had plates (going against Vogel's hypothesis), but I do not know how substantiated the claims are.

This comes on the tail of the Church announcing an official biography on the prophet by Richard Turley called “Joseph the Prophet”.

Great, something that will clear up a lot of misinformation.