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Start your review of 1832-1839 (The Joseph Smith Papers: Journals, vol. 1)

Nov 19, 2010 Jeff Nielson rated it it was amazing

If anyone truly believes that Joseph Smith merely wrote the Book Of Mormon-they should read this book and see what an unlearned fellow he really was-the man could barely write a legible sentence let alone a whole book. This book gives great insight into the Man Joseph Smith-a must read for every Mormon

Mar 17, 2016 Heather rated it it was amazing

This is an interesting book that explains Joseph Smith, his life, and ministry, and provides a good introduction to the Joseph Smith Papers Project and Joseph Smith's journals specifically. It's neat to see what we have directly from him and his scribes. I learned a lot. I appreciated the ecclesiastical organizational charts on pages 455-460 that show church structure and offices at the time, as they were organized. It's incredible to think about all that Joseph Smith learned and accomplished in This is an interesting book that explains Joseph Smith, his life, and ministry, and provides a good introduction to the Joseph Smith Papers Project and Joseph Smith's journals specifically. It's neat to see what we have directly from him and his scribes. I learned a lot. I appreciated the ecclesiastical organizational charts on pages 455-460 that show church structure and offices at the time, as they were organized. It's incredible to think about all that Joseph Smith learned and accomplished in his life that still blesses all of us.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"From 1828, when he began work on the Book of Mormon at age twenty-two, to 1844, when he was killed at age thirty-eight, Smith produced thousands of pages of revelations, translations, correspondence, declarations, discourses, journals, and histories. His records will fill approximately thirty volumes when publication is complete. The goal of the Joseph Smith Papers Project is to publish every extant document written by Smith or by his scribes in his behalf, as well as other records that were created under his direction or that reflect his personal instruction or involvement (p. xv)."

"In March 1830, Joseph Smith published the 584-page Book of Mormon, an unusual beginning for a life as a minster of the gospel. No other religious career in Smith's time began this way. Others of his generation claimed visions, but none published a 'translation' or wrote a parallel Bible (p. xx)."

"On 6 April 1830, Joseph Smith organized a handful of followers into the Church of Christ, later named the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But that was only the first of Smith's complex religious projects. Less than six moths after the church's organization, he sent out missionaries to locate a site for a city that the revelations called the 'City of Zion' or 'New Jerusalem.'.... But Smith never constructed a typical meetinghouse for ordinary worship. He gave himself entirely to cities and temples. This vision drove him until the end of his life; and after his death the same vision inspired Mormon settlement in the Great Basin (p. xxiii)."

"He envisioned missionaries shepherding converts to Zion, where each family would receive an inheritance of land and have access to the temple for spiritual instruction. His answer to the failings of American society was to gather believers out of the world and organize them into a community where the poor were cared for and everyone stood on an equal material plane.... Smith's faith in scripture was literal in wanting to embody visions that most Christians thought were purely ideals. He had a sense of making heaven on earth (p. xxiv)."

"One of the first ordinances passed under the Nauvoo charter granted freedom of worship to every denomination, including Roman Catholicism and Islam (p. xxxiv)."

"Joseph Smith's own revelations instructed him to keep a record of he church's rise (p. xxxv)."

"For the first two years after the organization of the Church of Christ on 6 April 1830, Smith assigned the work of keeping a history first to Oliver Cowdery and then to John Whitmer... In 1832, he himself wrote a history of the visions he had received as a young man and in the same year started a personal journal and began to preserve correspondence and other documents in a letterbook (p. xxxvi)."

"When Joseph Smith was killed in June 144, work on the history had proceeded only as far as 5 August 1838, but his secretary and clerks continued to utilize his journal and other available documents to extend the narrative to the end of his life.... This substantial body of documents does not, however, assure us a clear view of his mind and heart. The reason is that with all of the responsibilities he bore during a tumultuous life, he could not keep a record on his own (xxxvii)."

"The work of collecting Joseph Smith's papers, which began during his lifetime, continued after his death. In February 1846, the papers--then in the possession of Brigham Young and other church leaders--were packed into two boxes for the exodus to the West (xxxviii)."

"Work is under way on six series of Joseph Smith papers:
1. The Journals series will contain the ten volumes of journals kept by Smith and his various scribes and clerks....
2. The Documents series will bring together early versions of revelations, correspondence sent and received, sermons and other addresses, selected minutes and proceedings, editorials and articles in periodicals, official declarations and pronouncements....
3. The History series will publish the entire manuscript history that Smith began in 1838, which was continued by his clerks after his death....
4. The Legal and Business Records series will reproduce legal papers from the scores of judicial proceedings in which Smith was either a plaintiff, defendant, or witness....
5. The Revelations and Translations series will present the earliest manuscript texts of the Joseph Smith revelations and those published during his lifetime....
6. The Administrative Records series will publish minutes and other records pertaining to institutions that were established under Smith's direction.... (p. xl)."

"On 27 November 1832, Smith's first journal was purchased and he began it by stating his intention 'to keep a minute acount of all things that come under my obsevation (p. xliii).'"

"When the first entry in Joseph Smith's first journal was made in 1832, the establishment of a gathering place in Jackson County, Missouri, was well under way (xlix)."

"Joseph Smith's second journal, covering more than six consecutive months from fall 1835 to spring 1836, records the multitude of activities and concerns that filled his days as he prepared his people for a hoped-for Pentecostal season. With daily entries that Smith apparently dictated to scribes, this journal provides a connected and much fuller narrative than the first (p. liii)."

"Joseph Smith carefully laid the groundwork during the winter of 1835-1836 for sacred ordinances and spiritual experiences by focusing on discipline, unity, organization, and individual sanctification (p. liv)."

"During the two-year gap that separated Smith's second journal from his third, they cast their missionary net widely, establishing the church in the British Isles in 1837 (p. liv)."

"Soon after his arrival in Far West, Smith began a third journal (p. lv)."

"As the conflict in Missouri escalated, another scribe began Joseph Smith's fourth journal, for September and October 1838 (p. xvi)."

"JS's first journal begins 27 November 1832 and ends 5 December 1834, with entries spread evenly over this period.... After titling this journal 'Joseph Smith Jrs Book for Record,' JS recorded his ambitious intention 'to keep a minute acount of all things that come under my obsevation &c.' However, reality failed to match his expectations (p. 4)."

"Ten months passed before JS wrote another entry.... Organizing and meeting with the School of the Prophets occupied much of his time from January through April. In June, JS and the presidency developed plans for temple sin Kirtland and Missouri and for expanded Mormon settlement in each city (p. 11)."

"Newspapers across the United States reported this spectacular display of 'falling stars' in the early morning hours of 13 November 1833. Joseph Smith, like many of his contemporaries, viewed it as a sign that Christ's second coming was imminent (p. 17)."

"'That the Lord would protect our printing press from the hands of evil men, and give us means to send forth his word, even his gospel that the ears of all may hear it, and also that we may print his scriptures....but that men's eyes may thereby be opened to see the truth (p. 26).'"

"On 17 February 1834, JS organized a high council (p. 28)."

"The following section of the journal, through the beginning of the entry for 14 March, was kept by Parley P. Pratt for both JS and himself as they traveled to New York (p. 31)."

"'30 March 1834, Sunday, Sabbath at home and went to hear Brothe[r] Sidney [Rigdon] Preach the word of life &c (p. 37).'"

"Joseph Smith used his 'Book for Record' not only to record the events of his life but also to write various notes and memoranda such as the one seen here.... Handwriting of Frederick G. Williams (p. 39)."

"JS viewed himself as divinely commissioned to gather God's people in the last days and prepare them for Jesus Christ's second coming and millennial reign. By 1835, the House of the Lord, a temple in Kirtland, became the centerpiece of this commission and hence of this journal (p. 55)."

"'September 24th 1835... We go next season to live or dy in Jackson County we truly had a good time and Covena[n]ted to struggle for this thing utill [until] death shall desolve this union and if one falls that the rest be not discouraged but pesue [pursue] this object untill it is acomplished which may God grant u[n]to us in the name of Christ our Lord (p. 64).'"

"'A Gentleman called this after noon by the name of Erastus Holmes of Newbury Clemon [Clermont] Co. Ohio, he called to make enquiry about the establishment of the Church of the latter-day Stains and to be instructed more perfectly in our doctrine &c I commenced and gave him a brief relation of my experience while in my juvenile years...up to the time I received the first visitation of Angels...and also...concerning the book of Mormon, and a short account of the rise and progress of the church, up to this, date he listened verry attentively and seemed highly gratified, and intends to unite with the Church (p. 100).'"

"'Thus you see my dear Brother the willingness of our heavenly Father to forgive sins and restore to favour all those who are willing to humble themselves before him, and confess their sins and forsake them, and return to him with full purpose of heart (acting no hypocrisy) to serve him to the end (p. 104).'"

"'20 November 1835... President Cowdery had a prosperous journey, according to the prayers of the Saints in Kirtland (p. 107).'"

"'21 November 1835... spent the day in examining my books and studying hebrew alphabet, at evening met with our hebrew Class to make some arrangements about a Teacher, it was decided by the voice of the School to send to N[ew] York for a Jew to teach us the language (p. 107).'"

"'24 November 1835.... I requested them to arise and join hands, I then remarked that marriage was an institution of h[e]aven institude [instituted] in the garden of Eden, that it was necessary that it should be Solemnized by the authority of the everlasting priesthood (p. 109).'"

"'26 November 1835...we spent the day in transcribing Egyptian characters from the papyrus (p. 110).'"

"'23 October 1835, Copy of a prayer offered up. on the 23rd day of Oct 1835.... 'That the Lord will give us means sufficient to deliver us from all our afflictions and difficulties, wherein we are placed by means of our debts; that he will open the way and deliver Zion...without the shedding of blood; that he will hold our lives precious, and grant that we may live to the common age of man (p. 111).''"

"'Therefore in the spirit of my calling and in view of the authority of the priesthood that has been confered upon me, it would be my duty to reprove whatever I esteemed to be wrong fondly hoping in my heart that all parties, would concider it right, and therefore humble themselves, that satan might not take the advantage of us, and hinder the progress of our School (p. 131).'"

"'In your letter you asked my forgiveness, which I readily grant, but it seems to me, that you still retain an idea, that I have given you reasons to be angry or disaffected with me. Grant me the privilege of saying then, that however hasty, or harsh, I may have spoken, at any time to you, it has been done for the express purpose of endeavouring, to warn exhort, admonish, and rescue you, from falling into difficulties, and sorrows which I foresaw you plunging into, by giving way to that wicked spirit, which you call your passions.... God requires the will of his creatures, to be swallowed up in his will (p. 133).'"

"'21 December 1835... At home Spent this in indeavering to reaasure up know[l]edge for the be[n]ifit of my Calling the pas[s]ed of[f] very pleasantly for which I thank the Lord for his blessings to my soul his great mercy over my Family in sparing our lives O Continue thy Care over me and mine for Christ sake (p. 135).'"

"'And my heart was made glad while listning to the relations of those that had been labouring, in the vinyard of the Lord with such marvelous success, and I pray God to bleess them with an increas of faith, and power, and keep them all with the indurance of faith in the name of Jesus Christ (p. 139).'"

"Smith established a personal office in the westernmost of the five rooms in the third story of the House of the Lord. The office was also used as a schoolroom for Hebrew study (p. 144)."

"28 January 1836.... I found the Twelve Apostles assembled with this quorem & I proceeded with the quorem of the presedincy to instruct them & also the seven presidents of the seventy Elders to call upon God with uplifted hands to seal the blessings which had been promised to them by the holy anoint[in]g As I organized this quorem with the presedincy in this room, Pres. Sylvester Smith saw a piller of fire rest down & abide upon the heads of the quorem as we stood in the midst of the Twelve (p. 174)."

"'6 February 1836... called the anointed together to receive the seal of all their blessings (p. 180).'"

"'This evening the several quorums met agreeably to adjournment and were organized according to their official standing in the church (p. 193).'"

"'At 11 oclock A.M. Presidents Joseph Smith jun Frederick G. Williams, Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, and Oliver Cowdery met in the most holy place in the Lords house and sought for a revelation from Him, to teach us concerning our going to Zion, and other important matter after uniting in prayer, the voice of the Spirit was that we should come into this place three times, and also call the other presidents, the two Bishops and their councils...and fast through the day and also the night and that during this, if we would humble ourselves, we should receive further communication from Him (p. 212).'"

"'The seventies are at the liberty to go to Zion if they please or go wheresoever they will and preach the gospel and let the redemtion of Zion be our object.... I then observed to the quorum
that I had now completed the organization of the church and we had passed through all the necessary ceremonies, that I had given them all the instruction they needed and that they now were at liberty after obtaining their licenses to go forth and build up the kingdom of God, and that it was expedient for me and the presidency to retire, having spent the night previous in waiting upon the Lord in his temple.... the Savior made his appearance to some, while angels minestered unto others, and it was a penticost and enduement indeed (p. 215).'"
"On Sunday, 3 April 1836, during the weekly worship service held in the House of the Lord, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery secluded themselves within the hanging curtains at the pulpits on the western end of the ground floor. There, according to this account that ends the 1835-186 journal, they beheld in vision the resurrected and glorified Jesus Christ, as well as the ancient prophets Moses, Elisas, and Elijah (p. 221)."

"This account of visitations closes the journal, After more than six months of almost daily recording of developments in Kirtland, entries ceased. For nearly two years, there were no more entries written in this or in any other JS journal (p. 223)."

"Scribe George W. Robinson began this 'Scriptory Book' as a repository for copying various scripts--letters, revelations, and meeting minutes--constituting documentary journal entries. Even after it took on the function of a regular journal, it continued to be the repository for copies of additional documents (p. 234)."

"'The particulars of our Journey brotheren cannot weell be writen but we trust that the same God who has protected us will protect you also (p. 246).'"

"'Synopsis of Oliver Cowdery Trial. 12 April 1838. Charge prefered against O[liver] Cowdery before the high Council in Far West Mo.--by Elder Seymour Brounson.... (p. 251).'"

"In May 1838, Joseph Smith and his surveying party selected a site for a Mormon community overlooking this bend of the Grand River... Adam-ondi-Ahman became the principal Mormon settlement in Daviess County, Missouri (p. 272)."

"'6 July 1838...This day received a letter from Orson Hyde & Heber C Kimball...who having been on a mission to England Just returned to Kirtland Ohio.... 'We cannot give a full account of our labors now, but suffise it to say the standard of truth is reared on the other side of the great waters, and hundreds are now fi[gh]ting the good fight of faith, beneath the shade of its glorious banner. We have fought in the name of the Lord Jesus, and under the shadow of the cross we have conquered, Not an enimy has risen up against us, but that has fallen for our sakes. Every thing we have done has prospered, and the God of the Holy Prophets has been with us, and to him belongs the praise (p. 278).''"

"'Revelation for Thomas B. Marsh. 23 July 1837.... 'Be thou humble and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand and give thee an answer to they prayers, I know they heart and have heard they prayers concerning thy brethren. Be not partial towards them in love above many others, but let your love be for them as for yourself, and let your love abound unto all men and unto all who love my name (p. 307).''"

"'Therefore see to it that you trouble not yourselves concerning the affairs of my Church...but purify your hearts before me, and then go ye into all the world and preach my gospel unto every creature who have not received it and he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved (p. 308).'"

"Makeshift notebook, 10 x 4 inches. Six 10 x 8 inch sheets of canary-yellow endpapers folded lengthwise to make this notebook of twelve leaves (p. 321)."

"Mulholland evidently began keeping the journal on the evening of 4 September or sometime on 5 September. Meanwhile, George W. Robinson was making the final week of entries for the preceding journal (p. 323)."

"'Elder Brigham Young made some very appropriate remarks, and also bore testimony to the truth of these things, and gave an invitation to come forward and be baptized when three manifested their determination to renounce the world. and take upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ (p. 347).'"

"Two weeks after the final entry in the present journal, JS and his traveling companions departed on their appointed mission to Washington DC. There they met with members of Congress and with United States president Martin Van Buren, who declined to support their request for redress of losses suffered in Missouri (p. 354)."

"During 1835-1836, the period covered in JS's second journal, JS worked to refine organizational structure and fully staff church positions in preparation for the solemn assembly to be held in the House of the Lord in Kirtland (p. 452)."

"In 1837, contending with dissent in Kirtland and a perceived weakening of support among some church leaders in Missouri, JS reiterated his authority over the entire church. His 4 September letter to Saints in Missouri as headed 'Joseph Smith J Pres of the church of Christ of Latter Day Saints in all the world. It also applied the term 'first Presidency' to the presidency of the church who were then located at Kirtland. This was not a new position or assertion of authority for JS but clarified arrangements that may have seemed ambiguous. Some may have misinterpreted the earlier configuration of presidencies as a decentralized leadership with one presidency responsible for each of the church's two main divisions, Missouri and Ohio (p. 453)."

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Feb 24, 2009 Jeff rated it it was amazing

This is the first in a series of volumes containing the papers of Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a Latter-day Saint, I have a keen interest in Joseph Smith, whom I consider the Lord's prophet, on a par with Adam, Abraham, Moses, and the like.

The book is nicely bound, with high quality components. It is obviously meant to be preserved in public and private libraries to provide perpetual access to Joseph Smith's papers.

As a wannabe histori

The book is nicely bound, with high quality components. It is obviously meant to be preserved in public and private libraries to provide perpetual access to Joseph Smith's papers.

As a wannabe historian, I enjoyed the original material in this book. The unfiltered journals can be very informative in some instances, such as entries concerning atrocities committed against the members of the church, and downright pedestrian in others, such as times during which the journals simply reflect when Joseph left the house and came home during a given day. Exciting or boring, however, you get a flavor of the man and his times in the journal entries.

I also found the descriptive and explanatory passages added by the editors interesting and well-documented. In the best traditions of historical analysis, these passages rely on original material to give the reader context for the journals.

As I see it, this volume is not an attempt to prove anything in particular about Joseph Smith, whether he was good or bad, honest or deceitful. That is not its purpose and I suspect that anyone who goes looking for such a purpose will be disappointed. Instead, its purpose is to preserve and make a available to the public the papers of a man whose importance both to the LDS church and its adherents and to historians, armchair and serious, grows with the continuing influence of the man and the church he founded.

I look forward to the coming volumes.

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Nov 05, 2014 Tom rated it liked it

This has some great caveats and stories in it and I appreciate the work and effort that was put into it. However, I gave it 3 stars because of the extremely high price of the book. Even the electronic version was $39.99. Ridiculous price for the book. While I enjoyed some of the stories, it was somewhat of a challenge reading all of the mundane entries. I won't be buying anymore until the price drops. This has some great caveats and stories in it and I appreciate the work and effort that was put into it. However, I gave it 3 stars because of the extremely high price of the book. Even the electronic version was $39.99. Ridiculous price for the book. While I enjoyed some of the stories, it was somewhat of a challenge reading all of the mundane entries. I won't be buying anymore until the price drops. ...more

Volume 1 is more of a historical diary and gives a lot of color to various historical settings, but includes very notable chronological gaps. The book was pretty easy reading with helpful footnotes.

I kind of felt like I was going back in time and tended to augment the reading with other online historical background information on various people, locations or stories.

Dec 17, 2008 Trevor rated it it was amazing

This is the first of a projected set of 30 books of documents associated in some way with the prophet Joseph Smith, and the first volume of the Journals series. It covers his journals dating from November 28, 1832 to October 15, 1839, along with introductions to the Joseph Smith Papers project and the Journals series.

The project claims as its roots the collection of Joseph's papers during his lifetime and then continuing after his death, and first published in book form as History of the Church

The project claims as its roots the collection of Joseph's papers during his lifetime and then continuing after his death, and first published in book form as History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Period I: History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, by Himself. This was eventually followed by The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith in 1984 and The Papers of Joseph Smith in 1989 (Volume 1: Autobiographical and Historical Writings) and 1992 (Volume 2: Journal, 1832-1842).

It was then decided to expand the project, using a new set of standards and a staff of editors, historians, and researchers to produce an ambitious set of six series including Journals, Documents, History, Legal and Business Records, Revelations and Translations, and Administrative Records. When it is completed, it will be available in book form as well as a more extensive online version, which can be used by anyone from secular scholars to interested church members to study the life of Joseph Smith and the foundations of the church he restored.

The content of this first volume is a subset of the journals published in 1992, so there is actually nothing new here. However, it should be a more reliable transcription, having been produced under the new editorial standards. It also contains more background and reference material to help the reader better understand the context of the journal entries. This includes a chronology covering the years of the journal, a geographical directory and maps covering all the places mentioned, a pedigree chart, a biographical directory containing most of the people mentioned, ecclesiastical organizational charts, a glossary, an essay on the sources used, a list of works cited, and a table giving corresponding section numbers for various editions of the Doctrine and Covenants.

The one thing missing is an index. In its place is an explanation stating that there will be a cumulative index published in the last volume of the series, but that a searchable index of volume 1 is available on the project web site. While it would have been nice to have an index included in the volume, it seems more convenient to have an index covering all the journals, and an offer has been made on the web site to provide bound copies of the volume 1 index on request.

Only a very small portion (about 35 of over 1,500 manuscript pages) of the journal entries were actually written by Joseph Smith himself. Some of it was dictated, but the vast majority was written by clerks based on their own observations, and usually in the first person (which has caused some confusion from the way they were used in the History of the Church). This makes it more difficult to see what Joseph was thinking and feeling, but it also gives us the advantage of having a large number of sermons reported - Joseph apparently never spoke from written texts or even an outline, and instead "depend[ed] entirely upon the living God for everything he said on such occasions." (page xlvi.)

The text is presented using an elaborate system of markup, showing who the writer was, describing the source medium (such as "hole burned in paper" and "28 lines blank"), indicating letters and words that were crossed out or inserted, etc. This gives the reader about as good an idea as possible as to what is on the page, short of actually seeing it (but there are a few example photos in the book, and there are many more available at the project web site). Each journal is described in detail, including its provenance, and there are photographs of each accompanied by a quill to provide a sense of their relative sizes. There is also a historical introduction for each journal, describing what was going on during the time covered.

The entries range from the mundane (29 June 1839 - "Saturday at home principally") to significant events and revelations, many of which will be familiar to readers of the Doctrine and Covenants, such as the dedication and visions at the Kirtland Temple in 1836. There are plenty of editorial notes and annotations throughout the text explaining the context and giving more details, such as the words of hymns that were sung on certain occasions and what happened between entries.

An interesting example has to do with the Leonid meteor shower on November 13, 1833 - "I was awoke by Brother Davis knocking at door saying Brother Joseph [p. 18] come git and see the signs in the heavens and I arrose and beheld to my great Joy the stars fall from heaven yea they fell like hail stones a litteral fulfillment of the word of God as recorded in the holy scriptures and a sure sign that the coming of Christ is clost at hand." A footnote explains that it was reported across the country by newspapers, and taken by many as a sign that the Second Coming was imminent. It includes some descriptive quotes from various newspapers and there is also a full page engraving to show what it may have looked like.

Two of the journals overlap from September 3 to 11, 1838. The latter journal continues through October 6, and may have been intended to be used as legal evidence of Joseph's whereabouts during that time. It was written by James Mulholland, who was living with the Smiths, and contains entries such as "Saw him at home about sunrise, all the forenoon, and at noon. In the evening again about 8 oclock." (October 4, 1838.) For the entries that overlap with the preceding journal, it is interesting to compare them with the much more detailed accounts of George W. Robinson.

This first book, while not providing much that is new for those that have the earlier journals volume, gives an exciting glimpse into a library of books that promises to provide unprecedented insight into the life of Joseph Smith and the early days of the church. To paraphrase one of the editors, once the papers are published, no one will have an excuse to produce irresponsible or shoddy scholarship about Joseph Smith. And anyone with even the slightest interest in church history should find that by using this book they are able to better understand the events that transpired in a way that you can't get from reading historical fiction or even biographies.

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Kind of a hard book to rate in that it is a collection of original documents without much commentary. I give the effort of the Joseph Smith Papers Project an unqualified and enthusiastic 5 stars.

As this volume consists of Joseph Smith's journals I found it very interesting but at times a bit laborious. That is not a criticism. I am sure any future reader of my journals would say the same. Considering myself fairly well read in Mormon History there was no really new material but I found it fasci

Kind of a hard book to rate in that it is a collection of original documents without much commentary. I give the effort of the Joseph Smith Papers Project an unqualified and enthusiastic 5 stars.

The final section of the book is short biographical sketches of early members that are mentioned in the primary documents. I was struck by the numbers of people that had personal experiences, Joseph Smith. It was also sad to read of so many of that early era that became disaffected due to the almost non-stop chaos and at times persecution that followed the Mormons.

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Sep 08, 2012 Ethan rated it really liked it

I really like the idea of this series of books, making the documents and history from Joseph Smith's life more accessible. However, like any daily journal, the majority of the entries are quotidian and rather boring, making it hard to read the book for more than 15-20 minutes in a sitting. The journal is also sporadic and at times lacks details because the scribes did not have access to Joseph for weeks or months at a time. I'm looking forward to the next two volumes from Nauvoo when the writing I really like the idea of this series of books, making the documents and history from Joseph Smith's life more accessible. However, like any daily journal, the majority of the entries are quotidian and rather boring, making it hard to read the book for more than 15-20 minutes in a sitting. The journal is also sporadic and at times lacks details because the scribes did not have access to Joseph for weeks or months at a time. I'm looking forward to the next two volumes from Nauvoo when the writing was more extensive.

Even though generally boring, the book is definitely worth reading (that's why I gave it 4 stars instead of 3). It brings home the message that Joseph, though a prophet, was just a man. And we get to see him in his weakness and strength in the journals. I particularly like the passages written by Joseph himself:

1. They give more insight into his thoughts than the passages by the scribes
2. The spelling, grammar and sentence structure are atrocious! Read the passage below and compare it to the The Book of Mormon or any section of the Doctrine and Covenants. His 'voice' is completely different when putting down inspired text. That's not the basis of my testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet called by God, but it sure is interesting to compare them.(The '32nd' starting the entry below, and a few other words, are crossed out in the journal but the strikethrough doesn't carry over into goodreads...)

1 April 1834
"32d Tusday this day at Brother Riders and the Court has not braught on our tryal yet we are ingaged in makeing out some supenies [subpoenas] &c for witness &c is Aprel 1st Tusday my Soul delighteth in the Law of the Lord for he forgiveth my sins and confound mine Enimies the Lord shall destroy hiim who has lifted his heel against me even that wicked man Docter P Hrlbert [Doctor Philastus Hurlbut] he deliver him to the fowls of heaven and his bones shall be cast to the blast of the wind he lifted his against the Almity therefor the Lord shall destroy him"

There is another passage (not in Joseph's hand) that I really like for it's imagery. It's from a trial before the high council. An older man had convinced a woman that he had received a revelation that her husband was dead and that she should marry him, luckily for her, her husband showed up the day they were supposed to be wed. Here are some excerpts:

"But, Alass! to[o] late for the old man, the testimony, being closed, and the Sword of Justice, began to be unsheathed, which fell upon the old man like a scourge of ten thousand lashes, wielded by the hand of President S. Rigdon & George M. Hinkle, inspired by the spirit of justice, accompanied with a flow of eloquence, which searched for the feelings, like the sting of so many scorpions...
After Justice had ceased to weild sword, Mercy then advanced to rescue its victom, which inspired the heart of President J. Smith Jr, & Geo W. Harris who, with profound eloquence with deep & sublime thought, with clemency of feeling, spoke in faivour of the defendant...
...but amidst the clashing of the sword of Justice, mercy still claimed the the victom, and saved him still in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints..."

If you're interested in reading this, I'd be more than happy to lend it to you, since I don't think you'll be able to work through the whole book in the time you could check it out from the library...

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Jan 15, 2010 Aaron rated it really liked it

I enjoyed this more for the editorial summaries before and between the various journals included in this volume, as well as for all of the great information at the end of the book. Don't get me wrong. The journals themselves are great, and many of the entries are not only very interesting, but very inspiring as well. The entries leading up to, about, and written shortly after the Kirtland Temple Dedication were particularly edifying. But most of the journal entries are mundane and rather ordinar I enjoyed this more for the editorial summaries before and between the various journals included in this volume, as well as for all of the great information at the end of the book. Don't get me wrong. The journals themselves are great, and many of the entries are not only very interesting, but very inspiring as well. The entries leading up to, about, and written shortly after the Kirtland Temple Dedication were particularly edifying. But most of the journal entries are mundane and rather ordinary, dealing with the quotidian events of a 19th century religious leader, which is interesting at first, but eventually becomes boring. For example, Joseph Smith's journals reveal that he was infatuated the weather, particularly with snow and sleighing, since approximately half of them dealt with those topics.

The historical summaries setting up, and then bridging the gap between, the journals were very, very informative, however, providing details about church history that I had never known before -- details that are surprisingly frank and balanced. The timeline at the end of the book, along with the glossary of terms as the early Mormons understood them and the biographical and geographical index, were also very interesting and informative.

The entire book helped me understand that Joseph Smith was a real man (who occasionally fueded with his family and could not write very well -- after reading several of the entries that the Prophet wrote himself, it becomes very clear why he liked dictating to scribes). Reading his journals helped me realize that he actually lived, but even more than that, it confirmed for me that he truly was a prophet and the conduit by which God revealed His Church and the fulness of His Gospel in these last days. I look forward to reading the next two volumes in the series, which will apparently contain Joseph Smith's lengthy journals while he lived in Nauvoo.

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Dec 26, 2008 Matt rated it it was ok

A pathetic, overpriced, bucket of useless, fried froth.

Hmmmm. 1832-1839. Fanny Alger. Kirtland ANTI-Bank Fraud. (the "Anti" part is very important)

Do you think this volume contains any material facts about those revealing episodes in Joseph Smith's life? Hardly a shred. Look elsewhere if you want some truth.

There is one mildly interesting editorial note about the Kirtland Bank fraud, but it's the typical Mormon "historian" spin/obfuscation.

Who gets the royalties for this faux-scholarship? Oh, t

A pathetic, overpriced, bucket of useless, fried froth.

Hmmmm. 1832-1839. Fanny Alger. Kirtland ANTI-Bank Fraud. (the "Anti" part is very important)

Do you think this volume contains any material facts about those revealing episodes in Joseph Smith's life? Hardly a shred. Look elsewhere if you want some truth.

There is one mildly interesting editorial note about the Kirtland Bank fraud, but it's the typical Mormon "historian" spin/obfuscation.

Who gets the royalties for this faux-scholarship? Oh, that's right, the Mormon Church does not release its financials, so noone will ever know exactly. (but I have a pretty good hunch) But $50 bucks for THIS?! Come on.

For 10 cents in late fees you can get No Man Knows My History from your local public library and get a lot more material information about Joseph Smith.

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Feb 10, 2009 Robert rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed some of the gems in reading these Papers. I especially liked the 1835-1836 Journal/Chapter. I find the Kirtland Temple era to be among the most inspirational of early events.

I was hoping to learn more about Section 132, which was published/revealed after 1839, so I'll have to wait for subsequent Papers, which I will buy.

When reading notes/journals in rough form, I gained a greater appreciation for those authors who compile all of this info and put it into a cohesive form/book.

I really enjoyed some of the gems in reading these Papers. I especially liked the 1835-1836 Journal/Chapter. I find the Kirtland Temple era to be among the most inspirational of early events.

I was hoping to learn more about Section 132, which was published/revealed after 1839, so I'll have to wait for subsequent Papers, which I will buy.

When reading notes/journals in rough form, I gained a greater appreciation for those authors who compile all of this info and put it into a cohesive form/book. Having someone else filter it for me (with the risk they aren't interested in something I may be) is worth it to me. For this reason I give it only 4 stars. It is not a reflection on the content, but rather I don't like mining for this type of data! All that said, this is a good book for the home library. A good reference companion.

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Jan 06, 2009 Russell rated it it was amazing

This is a very thorough and detailed examination of the first several journals of Joseph Smith. I very much enjoyed the extensive footnotes and citations, background information and other historical content. I was astounded at the level of detail included in this scholarly work. For me this book opened my eyes to the realities and challenges of the restoration of the gospel and. I have new found respect for the tremendous effort of Joseph Smith and the many others that contributed to the early o This is a very thorough and detailed examination of the first several journals of Joseph Smith. I very much enjoyed the extensive footnotes and citations, background information and other historical content. I was astounded at the level of detail included in this scholarly work. For me this book opened my eyes to the realities and challenges of the restoration of the gospel and. I have new found respect for the tremendous effort of Joseph Smith and the many others that contributed to the early organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm eagerly looking forward to the subsequent volumes. ...more

Jan 02, 2010 Garrett rated it it was amazing

Very informative and deep book. I enjoyed reading the many footnotes and appendices too. It made this time of Joseph Smith's life really come alive for me. I can understand some of his decisions and the pressures that were facing him much better now, after having read through these Journals.

Part of me wanted even more analysis and explanation than was here. However, I realize that this was not the purpose of the volume. There are other books I can go to for that kind of information.

In any case,

Part of me wanted even more analysis and explanation than was here. However, I realize that this was not the purpose of the volume. There are other books I can go to for that kind of information.

In any case, I recommend this book to the serious gospel scholar. It is a thick volume, dense in content, but worth every hour I spent in it.

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Apr 04, 2011 Andrew rated it really liked it

I enjoyed the insight into the life of Joseph Smith that could be seen through his journals. It's too bad that a more complete record wasn't kept for all of those years. Many of the entries aren't too interesting, but it's important to have it all for the sake of completeness. Joseph Smith's passion for his work and mission came across very clear. But, it was fun to read about random things that got him excited, like meteor showers and sleighing.

The Joseph Smith Papers is a comprehensive project

The Joseph Smith Papers is a comprehensive project that will take well over a decade to complete and that will comprise somewhere around 30 volumes. I look forward to reading more.

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It's difficult to rate a collection of historical documents, so the five stars goes to the editorial team. I rate books according to how well they accomplish their purpose, and can't think of how they could have presented and annotated the documents in a better way (thus the perfect five star rating).

On another note, I thought that I really go to know Joseph Smith a lot more through his diaries. Second-hand treatments of controversial characters like Joseph Smith are undoubtedly colored by the

On another note, I thought that I really go to know Joseph Smith a lot more through his diaries. Second-hand treatments of controversial characters like Joseph Smith are undoubtedly colored by the authors' own views, no matter how carefully they try to maintain objectivity, so it was refreshing to read the primary sources and draw my own conclusions about the kind of man that he was.

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Feb 17, 2009 J rated it really liked it

Not a page turner...it's a journal so I couldn't expect more in that regard. Book is well referenced with plenty of footnotes and references. There are some funny/random gems that are interesting to read. Few notables are some insight behind conflicts between Joseph and his brother William, when Joseph vented about having to pay for everyone's letters that were sent to him as COD (cash on delivery), and when he mentioned teaching grammar on several occasions which I found peculiar given the subs Not a page turner...it's a journal so I couldn't expect more in that regard. Book is well referenced with plenty of footnotes and references. There are some funny/random gems that are interesting to read. Few notables are some insight behind conflicts between Joseph and his brother William, when Joseph vented about having to pay for everyone's letters that were sent to him as COD (cash on delivery), and when he mentioned teaching grammar on several occasions which I found peculiar given the substandard grammar used in his own personal writings of the journal. ...more

Feb 23, 2009 Cary rated it it was amazing

I have been reading this book for quite a long time now! I have to say that with all I thought I knew about the prophet Joseph Smith, this book of journal entries made a lot more human. I was flabbergasted at how much time he actually spent working on church duties vs. home/family duties. It was not a quick light read but for someone who is truly interested, I would highly recommend it. Although it's price tag is not very cheap. I have been reading this book for quite a long time now! I have to say that with all I thought I knew about the prophet Joseph Smith, this book of journal entries made a lot more human. I was flabbergasted at how much time he actually spent working on church duties vs. home/family duties. It was not a quick light read but for someone who is truly interested, I would highly recommend it. Although it's price tag is not very cheap. ...more

This is a tour-de-force of history and editing to compile and describe the original texts related to J.S. I'm sure that the organizers of this project have quantified the cost in dollars and hours to assemble this effort but it is nonetheless a mind-boggling task to consider for someone outside of the industry. It is valuable to scholars to have such access to original documents for the rest of time. This is a tour-de-force of history and editing to compile and describe the original texts related to J.S. I'm sure that the organizers of this project have quantified the cost in dollars and hours to assemble this effort but it is nonetheless a mind-boggling task to consider for someone outside of the industry. It is valuable to scholars to have such access to original documents for the rest of time. ...more

Dec 12, 2016 Jimmie rated it it was amazing

This book features the first 5 journals kept by Joseph Smith and his scribes. Fascinating to read about the early history of the LDS Church through Joseph Smith's eyes. This was also meticulously edited by highly respected scholars and includes exhaustive notes, chronology and maps. One of the best features was that my 3rd great grandfather was mentioned several times in the narrative, maps and bios. Will definitely read Joseph Smith's journals volumes 2 and 3. This book features the first 5 journals kept by Joseph Smith and his scribes. Fascinating to read about the early history of the LDS Church through Joseph Smith's eyes. This was also meticulously edited by highly respected scholars and includes exhaustive notes, chronology and maps. One of the best features was that my 3rd great grandfather was mentioned several times in the narrative, maps and bios. Will definitely read Joseph Smith's journals volumes 2 and 3. ...more

Jul 09, 2009 Katie rated it really liked it

it was fascinating to read the personal journals of Joseph Smith. He remained to positive through so much suffering. There was a lot of commentary from the editors that I felt was unnecessary, especially the nearly 70 pages of introduction. That being said, the journals themselves were fascinating. It gave me a greater appreciation for this magnificent prophet.

Sep 05, 2011 John rated it it was amazing

Part of an ambitious project by the Church to publish all documents related to Joseph Smith created during his lifetime. Additional volumes come out yearly. Documents are gathered for publication by type such as journals, revelations, letters and so forth. Each book published is made available online by the Church at no charge.

Sep 16, 2014 Alan Marchant rated it it was amazing

The contributing scholars deserve five stars specifically for accomplishing exactly what they set out: a complete, objective, and fully documented presentation of the pre-Nauvoo Joseph Smith journals. If you're interested in his life (from whatever perspective) this is an irreplaceable, accessible, and reliable resource. It once and for all puts the lie to Faun Brodie. The contributing scholars deserve five stars specifically for accomplishing exactly what they set out: a complete, objective, and fully documented presentation of the pre-Nauvoo Joseph Smith journals. If you're interested in his life (from whatever perspective) this is an irreplaceable, accessible, and reliable resource. It once and for all puts the lie to Faun Brodie. ...more

Mar 03, 2009 Brett rated it it was amazing

I know they are expensive, but if you can afford the Joseph Smith Papers volumes, you will not be disappointed. This is as spiritual a history book as anything I have ever seen. I can't wait for Revelations and Translations Volume 1 to come out later this year. I know they are expensive, but if you can afford the Joseph Smith Papers volumes, you will not be disappointed. This is as spiritual a history book as anything I have ever seen. I can't wait for Revelations and Translations Volume 1 to come out later this year. ...more

Jun 25, 2009 Rhonda Wall rated it really liked it

Reading this with Dion. It fills in some blanks in Joseph Smith's history. Very interesting. People used to write him insulting letters and he would have to pay the postage of up to $1.00. He put the word out that he would not accept unpaid postage letters anymore. Reading this with Dion. It fills in some blanks in Joseph Smith's history. Very interesting. People used to write him insulting letters and he would have to pay the postage of up to $1.00. He put the word out that he would not accept unpaid postage letters anymore. ...more

I'm not sure how you give a rating to someone's journal, but I did find this interesting. I will say that the introduction to the Joseph Smith Papers at the start of the book was amazing. I did enjoy getting a little glimpse into the mind of the prophet and how he spent his time. I'm not sure how you give a rating to someone's journal, but I did find this interesting. I will say that the introduction to the Joseph Smith Papers at the start of the book was amazing. I did enjoy getting a little glimpse into the mind of the prophet and how he spent his time. ...more

Mar 06, 2010 Don Tate rated it it was amazing

Exceptionally well written and thoroughly researched for detail not previously seen. A "must-read" for those interested in the life of Joseph Smith! Much more personalized for family life and his own personal struggles with family and friends,as well as foes all of his life. Exceptionally well written and thoroughly researched for detail not previously seen. A "must-read" for those interested in the life of Joseph Smith! Much more personalized for family life and his own personal struggles with family and friends,as well as foes all of his life. ...more

Apr 02, 2010 Mark rated it really liked it

At times fascinating, at times trivial, depending primarily on the abilities of the scribe. I never found it boring, however. It was a wonderful glimpse into the daily workings of the early church. Well worth the effort.

Dean C. Jessee is a general editor of The Joseph Smith Papers. He earned an MA in LDS Church history from Brigham Young University. He worked for the Archives and the History Division of the Historical Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1964 to 1981, followed by nineteen years of service at the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History at Brigham Dean C. Jessee is a general editor of The Joseph Smith Papers. He earned an MA in LDS Church history from Brigham Young University. He worked for the Archives and the History Division of the Historical Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1964 to 1981, followed by nineteen years of service at the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History at Brigham Young University. His gathering and publishing of Joseph Smith's papers led to the current Joseph Smith Papers. His publications include Personal Writings of Joseph Smith (1984, 2001 rev. ed.); Papers of Joseph Smith, vols. 1 and 2 (1989, 1991); Brigham Young's Letters to His Sons (1974); and numerous articles regarding early LDS history. He is a past president of the Mormon History Association. ...more

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