Customer Reviews

Lost Legacy: The Mormon Office of Presiding Patriarch

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Authors of Lost Legacy accomplish two feats: First, it tells the fascinating story of the men--lineal descendants of Hyrum Smith--who have held this office, and the interactions between those Smiths and the other leaders of the LDS Church. Second, it uses that story to illustrate the Weberian concept of institutional evolution within a religious organizational context. One comes away with an empathy for both sides of this awkward relationship--familial Patriarchs "born" to the position, and devoted Church leaders who moved up the ladder of the Church's "office" hierarchy. The office was created in 1833 and eliminated in 1979. However, the last Patriarch to the Church, Eldred G. Smith, continues fully to give Patriarchal blessings. In other words, when he was placed on "emeritus," the office was retured, de facto, and the Patriarch continues to this day to function. It resolved the sticky problem of succession. This book won the Mormon History Association's "Best Book" award in 1996. The book treats its subject and its subjects with candor yet with fairness and restraint.

I greatly enjoyed the book, and its treatment of the subject. Done with tact and fairness, while yet being open and honest. Interesting perspective provided by the son of the last church patriarch.

I found the history to be very well presented. I was a little lost with the economic theory that was presented by Max Weber (?), but found the conclusions to be refreshingly honest, though sad.

What a bunch of nonsense! If you want to read a sob story about one of the world's most evil cults - this pile of spittle is for you. One can't help but wonder why the lunatic Joseph Smith didn't prophesize the downfall of his Royal line. Perhaps he was too busy dealing with Kolob.