Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith

[Solon]

http://books.google.com/books?id=UjH...ver&dq#PPP1,M1

It has now been 25 years since this book was published, and I'm a little ashamed that I'm only reading it now. It's a little heavy on narrative, a little light on interpretation & analysis, but the authors rely principally on primary sources and quote them extensively which makes for interesting reading.

It's very readable, even though most of the stories are fairly familiar to an LDS audience.

Although the authors caught some grief from LDS officialdom back in the 80s, the tone is quite balanced and even apologetic with respect to the mainstream LDS point-of-view. Judging by this reaction in the 80s to issues that seem blase today, I think LDS attitudes towards their own history have progressed significantly in 25 years. This encourages me.

[Solon]

I take it from the (metaphorical) silence that nobody has read this.

I finished last night. Excellent biography. I was quite clueless about the story of the reorganization. There are some interesting claims to authority in their history.

Give it a shot, if you're looking for a good, middle-of-the-road LDS topic book.

[ERCougar]

I take it from the (metaphorical) silence that nobody has read this.

I finished last night. Excellent biography. I was quite clueless about the story of the reorganization. There are some interesting claims to authority in their history.

Give it a shot, if you're looking for a good, middle-of-the-road LDS topic book.

I remember my mom reading this when I was growing up. I didn't really care about such things then, so I never talked to her about it.

I'm not a huge biography fan, unless there's something juicy or interesting there. Emma's life certainly has the potential, but given that this was written 25 years ago, I'm skeptical as to how groundbreaking or interesting it could be. I'm not too interested in another church-sponsored whitewashed history.

[Solon]

I remember my mom reading this when I was growing up. I didn't really care about such things then, so I never talked to her about it.

I'm not a huge biography fan, unless there's something juicy or interesting there. Emma's life certainly has the potential, but given that this was written 25 years ago, I'm skeptical as to how groundbreaking or interesting it could be. I'm not too interested in another church-sponsored whitewashed history.

It's not at all church sponsored or whitewashed, although they're a little generous with Joseph sometimes in giving him the benefit of the doubt. In the introduction to the second edition, the authors explain how they were blacklisted by the LDS church and prevented from discussing the book in LDS chapels (e.g. firesides and such).

But the last thing i want to do is talk this book up like it's gonna win a Pulitzer. It's good. That's all.

[Uncle Ted]

Here is an interesting read about this book and one of its authors...

http://janariess.religionnews.com/20...on-emma-smith/