1575: Joseph Smith and Treasure Digging w/ LDS Discussions - 01

This four-volume narrative history tells the inspiring true story of people who dedicated their lives to establishing the Church. Volume 1, 'The Standard of Truth,' covers the period from Joseph Smith’s childhood to the Saints receiving ordinances in the Nauvoo Temple in 1846. The book is meticulously researched and written in an engaging style, capturing the stories of Latter-day Saints across the globe and their faith in the face of opposition and challenges.

In this ground-breaking book, D. Michael Quinn reconstructs an earlier age, finding ample evidence for folk magic in nineteenth-century New England and its influence on Joseph Smith’s upbringing. Quinn argues that Smith’s early religious experiences were intertwined with ritual, supernaturalism, and white magic. He documents the use of seer stones, divining rods, and other magical tools by Smith and his family, which were integral to their religious quest. The book provides a much-needed background for the environment that produced Mormonism, highlighting how early Mormons interpreted developments in their history differently from modern perceptions.

Richard Lyman Bushman's "Rough Stone Rolling" offers a detailed and insightful biography of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The book delves into Smith's life, exploring his religious experiences, his leadership of the early church, and the controversies surrounding his life and teachings. Bushman presents a balanced and nuanced portrayal of Smith, acknowledging both his strengths and weaknesses. The book is considered a significant contribution to the historical understanding of Mormonism and its founder. It challenges traditional narratives and encourages critical engagement with the historical record. Bushman's work has been praised for its scholarly rigor and its accessibility to a broad audience.