Joseph Smith: The First Mormon [Paperback]

Donna Hill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1999

One of four major biographies of Joseph Smith, Donna HillÂ’s award-winning book is the most comprehensive. Hill cautiously rejects the simplistic reductionism of either/or characterizations in favor of a broader, more humanistic view that takes Smith on his own terms as both prophet and as man.

Foremost among HillÂ’s concerns is the spiritual drama that defined SmithÂ’s controversial life, as well as his theologically motivated sexuality and the apocalyptic assumptions that fueled his political and military activism. Her intent is not to validate SmithÂ’s actions, only to understand them. Equal attention is given to the environmental influences that shaped SmithÂ’s 1830's New York upbringing. Add th these HillÂ’s impeccable scholarship, the result of nine years of research, and her talents as a novelist, and the significance of her achievement is apparent. Her quest for authenticity provides a vivid portrait of an extraordinary life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A moajor contribution" -- The Deseret News<br /><br />"Remarkably careful and judicious." -- The Chicago Tribune<br /><br />"The first major biography of the Mormon prophet since 1945." -- The Los Angeles Times<br /><br />"Well-rounded ... vivid." --Publisers Weekly

About the Author

Donna Hill, author of Joseph Smith: The First Mormon, was born in Salt Lake City, earned a master's degree in Library Science at Columbia University, worked at the New York Public Library, and became an assistant professor and head of the Teachers' Central Laboratory at Hunter College Library, New York. She died in 2007.

Product Details

• Paperback: 550 pages
• Publisher: Signature Books (March 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156085118X
• ISBN-13: 978-1560851189
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,075,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Objectivity is Not Possible..., March 28, 2000

By 

Missing in Action (Idaho Falls, Idaho USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Joseph Smith: The First Mormon (Paperback)

The chore of any biographer is to attempt to portray their subject in as true a light as possible. The problem lies in the reality that most people, especially the colorful characters that shape history, look so different when cast under different lights. None more so than Joseph Smith. Donna Hill tackles no small task in attempting a balanced look at an extremely controversial figure, one whose name is had for divine praise or demonic derision, but seldom anything disspationate. What is important is that she doesn't shy away from the tough topics including; the Smith family's fascination with folk magic; money digging; polygamy; and the Danites, yet leaves the reader free to draw their own conclusions. For instance, as she describes what many critics have called "the Zion's Camp fiasco," the reader is left to recognize the importance of the journey, while understanding the tragic circumstances of its conclusion. What she has done is describe the "times and seasons" of the Prophet's life, while avoiding to a reasoble degree the temptation to cast judgement on that life (although she tends to be considerably more forgiving of Joseph Smith's shortcomings than is Fawn Brodie in "No Man Knows My History." On the other hand, she is far more objective than Joseph Smith himself in his "History of the Church.") To faithful followers of "The First Mormon," it is essential to read the book with an eye toward understanding the meaning of the life of Joseph Smith, rather than getting caught up in the possibility that he was a fallible human being. To the non-Mormon, it is important to understand the times and circumstances that produced a man of extraordinary talent and vision, which has led to the establishment of a world religion that is destined to play a role in shaping the future of our civilization. The topic, Joseph Smith, is no trivial matter, and understanding him is no trivial undertaking. Ms. Hill has done as admirable a job as any I know of.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Smiths best biography, for now., August 20, 2002

By 

Ryan Wimmer (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joseph Smith: The First Mormon (Paperback)

This is certainly the best biography about Joseph Smith so far. I believe it is certainly the most objective, it does not bash Smith or praise and defend him. Its objective is to attempt to understand Joseph Smith. I feel for the most part it does achieve that goal. I felt after reading it I certainly had a better understanding of who Joseph Smith was. I appreciated the fact that Hill did not get off on issues such as whether or not the Book of Mormon is real history or if Joseph Smith was a true prophet, that was not the books goal. My only criticism is it does not really focus on Joseph Smiths culture or enviroment that he lived in. It also sometimes seems that it is more of a early history of the Mormon Church than a biography. There are more biographies about Joseph Smith currently being written that I believe will replace this one as being the most definitive biography of Joseph Smith. However right now there is no better biography about Joseph Smith available. And having spent several hours of my own in the Churches Historical department studying certain aspects of Joseph Smiths life, I do feel somewhat qualified in saying that.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent scholarship, strong stomach required, August 16, 1999

By 

J. M Tudor (Little Rock, AR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Joseph Smith: The First Mormon (Paperback)

I found this book extremely fascinating and balanced. One question I continued to ask myself when reading was whether or not a non-Mormon, upon reading this book, would be drawn to a favorable conclusion regarding the LDS church.

I suppose that many members of the LDS church will find this a difficult read, as there are many items troubling for one (such as myself) who believes that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of Heavenly Father. But there are many positive, credible and admirable qualities that Ms. Hill brings out in her rendition, and I found her writing style very crisp, clear, well-reasoned and easy to read. This book kept my interest and I found it difficult to put down.

I would recommend this book if for no other reason that it presents an incredible story about an incredible man, with a fair assessment of probable inferences where facts are lacking to establish certainty. On balance, I would have to say my faith in my church is strengthened knowing that its establishment survived against great odds.