Deseret News | Reader comments: Prophet-president links based on thin evidence

Reader comments
Book review: Prophet-president links based on thin evidence

Gerald Eberwein | 6:44 a.m. Oct. 28, 2007

Interesting that there is no mention inthe article for Millard Fillmore (for whom Millard County and Fillmore city are named) as it was he who appointed Pres. Young as the Territorial Governor. And, the Library in Fillmore is named after him. Was it an oversight on the part of the book or the reporter? But for sure one US President did do the right thing when it came to the LDS people.

Rachel | 12:50 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007

Hi Gerald- I have the book and there is a whole chapter on Millard Fillmore, which discusses the story you related.

Dan H | 12:28 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007

I was thrilled to get this book for my birthday. Clearly Lythgoe missed the subtitle of this book: The Story of America's presidents and the LDS Church. It is not just about the prophets. I loved this and did not find the evidence flimsy at all-- each chapter was filled with endnotes at the end. I highly reccomend it!

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Nauvoo Christian | 6:58 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007

"When Salt Lake City Calls by Rocky Hulse sheds some new light on Presidents and Prophets. Comparison is always good don't you think?

Terry | 4:49 p.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Anyone who reads this one opinion of the book and decides to not read it is missing a great deal. There is a lot of evidence that in reporting history there have been many publications that have used thin evidence, including textbooks. This is not a textbook but a book meant for personal edification and some entertainment. For that purpose, it has hit the nail on the head. And, yes there is a very good chapter on Millard Fillmore.

Luke Zahniser | 1:52 a.m. Dec. 11, 2007

Interesting; absolutely interesting. It seems as though your analysis of the book was great;

However, I know the author and he is completely credible as he is tedious in his work, paying absolute attention to detail. I have worked in Nauvoo, IL, where I met Rocky Hulse as a tour guide for the Joseph Smith Historic Sites where I have found many Mormons to either second guess my research and knowledge or tell me I'm wrong altogether.

And by the way, Rocky wrote this in the midst of attacks from the public, including his home being ransacked, operty stolen, and receiving threatening e-mails; he's strong - willed as well as intelligent.

Helen Hulse | 8:27 p.m. July 1, 2008

Hi Luke...thanks much for your comments on Rocky's book. Rocky and I enjoyed meeting you and many others while in Nauvoo. We look forward to seeing you again sometime, please keep in touch. Rocky wrote his book 'When Salt Lake City Calls' because he care about truth! And that each of us must make up our own minds based on all the evidence!

Questionable history all around | 3:11 p.m. Nov. 28, 2008

I'm glad that Dennis points out the pitfalls in this book. It seems to me to be more a topic designed to get publicity and sell books than to fill in gaps in history. Otherwise, there would have been no need to come up with chapters for which there is little or no evidence. I detest such an approach to history. The comments posted on this webpage about Rocky's book are even more distressing--coming as an off-topic attempt to promote what seems to be one more anti-Mormon diatribe. Hugh Nibley was correct in saying that they all appear to follow a formula that anyone could use. Too bad we can't just label them all as hate speech, because that is what they promote.

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Book review: Prophet-president links based on thin evidence

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Reader comments Book review: Prophet-president links based on thin evidence

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Book review: Prophet-president links based on thin evidence