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Richard L. Bushman

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Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism Paperback – December 1, 1987

by Richard L. Bushman (Author)

32 ratings

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Winner of the David Woolley Evans and Beatrice Evans Biography Award and a History Book Club selection, 1985.

The core of Mormon belief was a conviction about actual events. The test of faith was not adherence to a certain confession of faith but belief that Christ was resurrected, that Joseph Smith saw God, that the Book of Mormon was true history, and that Peter, James, and John restored the apostleship. Mormonism was history, not philosophy.

It is as history that Richard L. Bushman analyzes the emergence of Mormonism in the early nineteenth century. Bushman, however, brings to his study a unique set of credentials--he is both a prize-winning historian and a faithful member of the Latter-day Saints church. For Mormons and non-Mormons alike, his book provides a very special perspective on an endlessly fascinating subject.

Building upon previous accounts and incorporating recently discovered contemporary sources, Bushman focuses on the first twenty-five years of Joseph Smith's life--up to his move to Kirtland, Ohio, in 1831. Bushman shows how the rural Yankee culture of New England and New York--especially evangelical revivalism, Christian rationalism, and folk magic--both influenced and hindered the formation of Smith's new religion.

Mormonism, Bushman argues, must be seen not only as the product of this culture, but also as an independent creation based on the revelations of its charismatic leader. In the final analysis, it was Smith's ability to breathe new life into the ancient sacred stories and to make a sacred story out of his own life which accounted for his own extraordinary influence. By presenting Smith and his revelations as they were viewed by the early Mormons themselves, Bushman leads us to a deeper understanding of their faith.

Editorial Reviews

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"Bushman has made a profound contribution to the understanding of Mormonism at its most critical juncture . . . A major work in Mormon historiography."--Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought

"Vividly reconstructs the family and social background of the Mormon prophet."--New York Review of Books

About the Author

Richard L. Bushman, a native of Salt Lake City, is professor of history at the University of Delaware and has previously taught at Harvard, Brigham Young, Brown, and Boston universities. Widely published in both Mormon and non-Mormon journals, he is the winner of the Bancroft and Phi Alpha Theta Prizes for From Puritan to Yankee: Character and the Social Order in Connecticut, 1690-1760 and editor of The Great Awakening: Documents on the Revival of Religion, 1740-1745 and Uprooted Americans: Essays to Honor Oscar Handlin.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Illinois Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 1, 1987
Edition ‏ : ‎ Edition Unstated
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0252060121
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0252060120
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.98 x 6.02 x 0.81 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #1,668,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,825 in Mormonism
- #6,445 in Religious Leader Biographies
- #24,729 in U.S. State & Local History
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32 ratings

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Bill Lane
Excellent -- but not necessary if you've read "Rough Stone Rolling."
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2025
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book came out several years prior to Bushman's seminal "Rough Stone Rolling." Very well written, and falls between a cold hard documentary textbook on Joseph and his ancestors, and a no-warts apologetic storybook. I really appreciated that because it gave me a good feel for the man and what he, his parents and grandparents had to endure.

It literally is the precursor to "RSR."

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David Huber
A readable primer. Short enough to get through
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2016
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
The best review of the early period. It is short and readable unlike Rough stone which is an Opus Magnum. Read the whole book if visiting Palmyra.

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Many Insights
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2019
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
There were many insights brought out that I had not known previously. Joseph was very determined in the face of rabid push-back from most quarters; but the story seemed dark after thinking about it. I don't recall the author bringing out the joy I expected to be interspersed in the dark corners. It is still a must-read, however.

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Sally Lunn
Honest Examination of Mormon Roots by Faithful LDS Historian
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2002
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
The author is up front about his devout belief in the holy calling of Joseph Smith, Jr. as a modern-day prophet. He, therefore, takes Mr. Smith at his word as it relates to the chronology of many of the important LDS claims. He is otherwise reasonably critical and respectably analytical with the context of Joseph's arrival in the world up through the movement of the early Mormons to Kirtland, Ohio in 1831. Mr. Bushman confirms contemporary belief of the final composition of 1 & 2 Nephi after the rest of the Book of Mormon, as well as contrasting the early Mormon view of "restoration" being simply restoring Israel to its rightful place to the later, more fundamental "restoration" that the LDS Church holds today. I would have loved to read more of his analysis of the development of the early Mormon priesthood hierarchy, from Joseph and Oliver Cowdery as 1st and 2nd Elders of the Church, respectively, to the later Rigdonite, full-blown priesthood. Still, there's only so much one can cover in a "Beginnings" book. A great read for students, faithful LDS/Community of Christ/etc. or otherwise, of early Mormon history.

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La
Not in depth enough
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2025
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Was expecting a bit more. I feel like the author left out a lot of pertinent information.

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TWChop@aol.com
Happy Customer
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2017
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This is a great book, fascinating history. Especially for Mormons, great reading. And, the book is in great condition.

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John M Wasilnak
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2015
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Good book at a great price.

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S Barnhart
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2016
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Nice to know real history that is not white-washed!

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MR A R TEAL
Sound foundations
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 9, 2020
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Really superb. Offers penetrating categories to interpret Joseph Smith Jr and the early Mormon adventure.

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julie ann
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 2, 2016
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Brilliant

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