From Deseret News archives:
Biography shows the real Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith, the LDS prophet, once characterized himself as "a rough stone rolling down the hill. The sound of the hammer and chisel was never heard on me nor never will be. I desire the learning and wisdom of heaven alone."
No wonder Richard Bushman decided to include "rough stone" in the title of his new book.
The eminent Harvard-educated historian and author of several highly-acclaimed prize-winning works including "From Puritan to Yankee: Character and the Social Order in Connecticut, 1690-1765" is also the author of "Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling," a splendid cultural biography. In spite of many attempts by historians and religious-history buffs to capture the life of Joseph Smith, no one has come close to re-creating a full and satisfying portrait until Bushman.
A committed Mormon who is determined to write history with complete documentation and honesty of interpretation, Bushman, who grew up in Oregon, is an important national figure. He began his teaching career at Brigham Young University before moving on to Boston University, the University of Delaware and Columbia University, where he is a professor emeritus.
There is still no promise of objectivity here. As Bushman says in his preface, "For a character as controversial as Smith, pure objectivity is impossible. What I can do is to look frankly at all sides of Joseph Smith, not ducking any of the problems. Covering up flaws makes no sense in any case. Most readers do not believe in, nor are they interested in, perfection. Flawless characters are neither attractive nor useful. We want to meet a real person."
That is what Bushman gives us. The Joseph he portrays made major mistakes such as the Kirtland Bank fiasco, the selection of convert John C. Bennett (a scoundrel) to act as mayor of Nauvoo and head of the Nauvoo Legion, his unsuccessful attempt to keep polygamy from his wife, Emma, his tendency to roundly scold the people closest to him, his tendency toward boastfulness and other situations that occasionally call into question the soundness of his judgment.
Comments
- National news briefs 11:11 p.m.
- Flynn flies to game winner 11:05 p.m.
- Talks to pressure Iran canceled 10:56 p.m.
- British Airways cabins crews to strike 10:56 p.m.
- Flash run past Idaho Stampede 10:55 p.m.
- Islamic terror reportedly rising 10:51 p.m.
- Attack spotlights Italy's divisions 10:50 p.m.
- Williams named player of week 10:47 p.m.
- Yellow Jackets buzz past Mocs 10:46 p.m.
- World datelines 10:46 p.m.
- Wet spot found in Powell's home
- Sources: Josh Powell hires attorney
- Y. opponent nearly smelled roses
- D-Will treats military families to party
- MWC looks better in basketball
- Maynor amazed by L.A. fans
- Pace happy not to be noticed
- High school football: All-region teams
- Jazz Extra: Starting 5
- BYU singers compete in 'Sing Off'
- Nude bathers cited for lewdness
152 - Gay-friendly curriculum phased out
145 - LDS to emphasize helping needy
125 - Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
110 - Unga might enter NFL draft
106 - BYU to wear royal blue uniforms
101 - Disappearance called 'suspicious'
96 - TV mom gives birth to 19th child
96 - Choir, guests unwrap musical magic
84 - Sources: Josh Powell hires attorney
82
If all three of the Utahns still competing on "So You Think You Can...
I haven't yet played "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2," and honestly I...
Great job to these kids and I'd challenge those thinking about their future...
A loss like tonight is bad but the worse part about it is that it takes away...
We truly see how great these 2 were. They did not lose at home to teams like...
It is funny how many people would make a stink out of it if they had to work...
1) Conservatives are not that way. Stop putting us down to make yourself feel...
he is alienating the fan base with his really dumb approach to basket ball....
Nope. Don't remember either of those stories, but I do remember him stuffing...
Street cars and light rail (TRAX) are both called "trams" in Europe...
I think you hit the nail on the head...Sloan was more worried about Korver's...
Well Robbie, you are right, that last play was not defended well. What was...




You can be the first to comment on this story.