Customer Reviews

The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Every time I read one of Quinn's "monsters," I have to laugh at the shear volume of reference material he cites. He's out of control! And let me be among the first in line to thank him for wading through the tons of materials he has in order to produce this kind of work. He takes a lot of heat from polemicists and apologists alike who fear that his interpretation is somehow threatening to their comfort level regarding their own belief. They criticize his work because they would come to a different conclusion reading what he has read. So...write your own book! This book is Quinn's interpretation, and from my assessment, it's an excellent one.

The book itself is a careful examination of the evolution of the power structure in the Mormon church, taking you from the time when Joseph Smith was just "a charismatic visionary" with a few followers who shared his vision, up until he was annointed "King in Israel," running for President of the United States. Along the way you learn about the creation of the different offices in the priesthood, their quirks and difficulties, and how they all shake out in the end. His chapter on the Theocratic kingdom, with the emphasis on "theocratic ethics," (Quinn's self-coined phrase) is brilliant and illuminating. Additionally, his treatment of the succession crisis following the murder of Joseph Smith is the clearest, most complete explaination I have ever read. I have never been comfortable with the way a new Church President just ascends to office, but when you're done with Quinn's book, the widsom in the system is self-evident.

I expect many of his critics struggle with the fact that Quinn is not bashful about pointing out the discrepencies between authorized Church History or canonized revelations, and the original journals, meeting minutes, and all too often, the original published version of a revelation that no longer served the needs of a changing hierarchical structure. Well, the bottom line is, documents WERE changed, and meaning was subsequently altered, and those stories are important in understanding the evolution of leadership in the Mormon Church.

This is an excellent book, and is surprisingly easy to read given the academic subject matter. Quinn is often original in his thinking, is obsessive in his research, and is probably among the most insightful historians on the Mormon Church today. I'm on my way now to read the second volume, "Extensions of Power," a bigger "monster" than this one!

For those who haven't read the book, or at least respond as if they haven't, ought to realize that Quinn wrote previous books BEFORE he was excommunicatedand; the tones in those books are identical to the tone in this book. If there is a bias, it is not because he was excommunicated; he was excommunicated after writing, and that wasn't his choice, just as it wasn't his choice to resign from BYU. His point is not to say Mormonsim is false, or wrong; in the same way that early Christianity (catholicism) had an interesting beginning (very pagan, magical, etc.), it does not have to ruin the religion today -- that depends upon the reader.

Re: The March 9 and 10th "Inaccurate" response isn't much at all. It's not apt, and it proves Quinn's point perfectly. As all scholars or students of any field know, outside perspectives are necessary to a historical study, especially tainted or hidden histories (did Smith not say no man knows my history?). To be brief, inside views are naturally biased; to compare xerox machines to religion only comments on the person making the poor analogy. Current Mormons are not the source for historical Mormonism; they are the source for current Mormonism, for practicing their faith and spreading their beliefs. They are a source for the current beliefs, faith, and testimony of Mormonism, as it is seen today. Most mormons do not want to hear about the troubled, problematic past of their religion; those who do, and are comfortable with it, are chastized. A person within a religion, intimately connected, has great trouble being unbiased and unprejudiced, and in most instances, is impossible; but taking an historical view, over a faith view, presents a more objective, more matter-of-fact view, and thus, more trustworthy. If Quinn had an axe to grind, I'd be more skeptical; however, for the most part, he keeps his polemics mild, unlike FARMS, other apologists and critics of Mormonism (e.g. Albanes).

To see the truth of the historical mormonism requires a temporary suspension of belief, an opening of the eyes to possible alternative views; something difficult for the faithful.

This book examines the origin and theology of "power" in the LDS Church.

The term "power" seems a little missleading. What the book is really about is the origin of Mormon "authority." Specifically, this refers to the concept of Mormon "Priesthood," or the "authority" of Mormon leaders to act in the name of God.

The book addresses how Joseph Smith received this authority, what he did with it, and how it helped to shape early Mormon society and theology.

Joseph's traditional account on how he received this authority from God is addressed, as well as the historical problems and evolution of that account over time.

It also explains how this authority became paramount in his theology. How his belief in this authority gave birth to, "theocratic ethics" (i.e. If God says something is right, it doesn't matter what man says), and to Joseph's being ordained King by his secret council of 50.

The book is well written, heavily annotated (typical of Quinn), and important in pointing out revisions to Mormon scripture as Joseph's traditional account became canonized.

"The Mormon Hierarchy" is a two-volume work on the history of Mormonism, written by dissident Mormon D. Michael Quinn. This is the first volume, "Origins of Power". It deals with the time of Joseph Smith and the immediate aftermath. About half of the book consists of notes, references and appendices.

In my opinion, "Origins of Power" is more tedious and less interesting than the second volume, "Extensions of Power", which I have reviewed elsewhere. "Origins" is also a hard read, unless you already know your Mormon history by heart (both the official and the unofficial). I do, but I wouldn't recommend the book to a rookie! I suspect "Origins" is of primary interest to scholars.

Several large sections deal with details concerning the development of the Mormon priesthood. Another chapter expounds on the various factional struggles following Smith's death. The more exciting developments at Nauvoo get comparatively little attention (just one chapter).

Scholarly Mormon-watchers might want to procure both volumes of Quinn's magnum opus, but more casual readers will probably prefer the second volume, "Extensions of Power", which deals with Utah Mormonism from Brigham Young until the 1990's.

Having read some other of Quinn's books and enjoyed them, I can't help but be amazed at Quinn's professional approach to early Mormon history. In fact his impartial presentation of the shady sides of the Joseph Smith succession crisis left me more than a little chilled that such an ugly chapter so very different than the one I taught and was taught in Sunday school. Granted, one cannot take one historian at his word alone. But the fearless creation of an open and an honest dialogue deserves a great deal of respect. I look forward to researching the interesting and well presented footnotes. Indeed, these footnotes creates the wider and more insightful social history of a powerful and unique religious group, whose hierarchy influences the actions of highest levels of government, and society. I recommend this book for the person who believes in fearless questions, and an interest in accurate historical scholarship. The contents of this book were far more disturbing than any book of religious history that I have read.

Quinn's strength -- and a most considerable strength it is -- lies in his overarching grasp of the raw data of Mormon history. Here he has no contemporary peer in the field. Beside him the many other interpreters of the record are merely clerks filling up pigeonholes. Among the few rivals of Quinn's stupendous grasp of this very large subject is B.H. Roberts, running large and grim ahead of the field.

Quinn's weakness -- and this is also a very considerable weakness -- is his dark and sometimes bland analysis of the data. His works on J. Reuben Clark are the chief exhibit of this failing. He lacks the power to persuade and enlighten. He is a plodder, not a baton-carrier. Other thoughts:

1. Am I just imagining it, or do I detect a dark undertone of subtle challenge to the historicity of Joseph Smith's revelations. I take with a grain of salt the words of an unabashed apologist, but am even more skeptical of a man who fails to proclaim his malefactions. Quinn is an excommunicated Mormon. If he writes with love or hate for his subject, he ought to lay it out frankly. If there is an axe to grind, I want to see the sparks fly.

2. By far the most interesting and valuable section of this book -- and its equally prodigous companion volume -- is the chronology given in one of the appendices. This is a veritable goldmine of fascinating and obscure detail.

My wife and I were both LDS members, and in combination with what we were taught at church and temple services, Origins of Power sheds invaluable light onto the way the church operated in its beginning and how it operates today. Quinn's research and dedication to factual evidence (I've followed through on many of his sources), is no less than exciting and complete. I note that Quinn was excommunicated from the church, because of the sensitive, "unauthorized" information he (and many other authors) have brought forth concerning the origins of Mormon religious beliefs and practices. As a historical researcher, and once fond member of the church, I highly recommend Quinn's work to anyone interested in Mormon history, and who are fair minded and strong willed.

This is the most outstanding bit of sholarship ever written on the Mormon Church. Quinn may not be a batton twirler, but he sure is a great researcher. It is obvious that he did his best to stick to the facts, and point out their inevitable conclusions.

I am a Mormons from Salt Lake City, Utah. I highly enjoyed reading Origins of Power. This book is deeply researched and written well. Quinn showes all references. I found this helpful. I do not agree with all his opinions, but I found the references very helpful in researching a questionable opinion. I enjoy his work and would recommend this book to scholars of LDS Church history.

If you are interested in a well researched and documented (over 50% of the pages are notes) history of LDS origins then this is a good book to read. It is not limited to 'faithful history'.