In rough stone rolling the author mormon wrote the book in a faith promoting way or at least a faith tolerant way. Dec 08, 2012 the book of mormon was translated through the medium of the urim and thummim. When he was 24, smith published the book of mormon. Mormons publish photos of seer stone used by joseph smith. Are there newspaper accounts of joseph smith and the founding. Publication date 1959 publisher deseret book company collection universallibrary contributor universal digital library language english. Apr 03, 2016 of course there were, and they have been studied extensively. Paulsen, joseph smith and the problem of evil, byu studies 39, no. Smiths usual procedure was to place the stone in a white stovepipe hat, put his face.
Most enlightening for me was the depth and breadth of context it provides regarding the cultural, economic, religious and political landscape of the time period. According to this revelation, jesus granted johns request to continue to bring souls unto christ, saying. Aug 04, 2015 salt lake city the mormon church for the first time is publishing photos of a small sacred stone it believes founder joseph smith used to help translate the story that became the basis of the. Many members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints believe that joseph smith used this seer stone in the book of mormon translation effort. Founder of the largest indigenous christian church in american hist.
Rough stone rolling is an indepth portrayal of the mysterious figure behind one of the worlds fastest growing faiths. Founder of the largest indigenous christian church in american history, joseph smith published the 584page book of mormon when he was twentythree and went on to organize a church, found cities, and attract thousands of followers before his violent death at age thirtyeight. Top 20 joseph smith, jr quotes author of the book of mormon the american religious leader. By the time of his death, 14 years later, he had attracted tens of thousands of followers and founded a religion that continues to the present with millions of global adherents. Joseph fielding smith did not say that it was not reasonable to use a stone to translate the book of mormon. Most every chapter offers new perspectives or additional information that cannot be found in other published works about the prophets life. Joseph smith on translating the book of mormon mormon apologists are now arguing that joseph and the early mormons used the term urim and thummim in reference to both the stone spectacles and the seer stone, but this explanation will not work.
As a lover of history and having an appreciation of accuracy, i highly recommend this work. The sound of the hammer and chisel was never heard on me until the lord took me in hand. Discourses of the prophet joseph smith 1965 edition. Joseph smith and the kirtland temple, 1836 religious. Josephs rough stone rolls on by common consent, a mormon blog. If the reporter confused these details, he may have also confused other details.
Each chapter is by scholars who are experts on joseph smith. Rough stone rolling offers a fascinating, wellrounded view of joseph smith s origins, influences, and accomplishments. He thought of his revelations as imprinted on his mind, not graven in stone. Commonly known as foxes book of martyrs, one fuller. I thought bushman accomplished what no historian had before, a balanced, interesting, perhaps even definitive look at the life of the founder of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints warts and all. He describes the circumstances of josephs life and gives a sketch of his place in the world, the circumstances in which he lived, and what he had to overcome and deal with as a young man. Printers manuscript of the book of mormon, 1 nephi 1alma 35, facsimile edition, ed. The title of the book refers to a selfdescription by smith, i am a rough stone. The work contains twelve documents, written between 1832 and 1844, relating the history of joseph smith and the mormon church. The book of mormon was translated through the medium of the urim and thummim. Edward stevenson, one of the three witnesses, reprinted from deseret news, 30 nov. Is rough stone rolling by bushman antimormon literature. Richard bushman, an esteemed cultural historian and a practicing mormon, moves beyond the popular stereotype of smith. Aug 14, 2017 amazingly lds patriarch and author researcher richard bushman in his book rough stone rolling seems to want to convince us that the lord god of israel was preparing joseph smith to be a prophet.
From about 1819, smith regularly practiced scrying, a form of divination in which a seer looked into a seer stone to receive supernatural knowledge. Royal skousen makes the same argument, though he also concedes that joseph exercised caution in referring to his treasurehunting activities. Character and social order in connecticut, 16901765 1967, joseph smith and the beginnings of mormonism. Josephs statement that the possession and use of these stones of the spectacles called the urim and thummim were what constituted seers in ancient or former times jsh.
Aug 03, 2005 i was fortunate to read an advanced readers copy of the highly anticipated joseph smith. Historians know exactly what mormonism was like at the very beginning. Published on the two hundredth anniversary of smiths birth, joseph smith. Rough stone rolling offers a fascinating, wellrounded view of joseph smiths origins, influences, and accomplishments. The mormon church is for the first time publishing photos of the stone it believes.
Some believing latterday saints have found the book troublesome, perhaps misinterpreting its intentions. This book of documents is a work intended to present everything smithian, whether by authorship or relationship. The author uses sound historical methodology and evidence to make his case. In this fascinating fireside talk on dvd, richard bushman, american historian and author of the bestselling biography, joseph smith. I find it very interesting that much of what joseph smith wrote was not necessarily the first time something had been written about, and how this is used as a con against him and the book of mormon.
Bushmans reputation for solid scholarship and tireless research promised an exciting and satisfying read. According to latter day saint theology, seer stones were believed to have been used by joseph smith, as well as ancient prophets, to receive revelations from god. Jun 04, 20 i am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain. Rough stone rolling, the awardwinning biography of joseph smith. Dec 18, 2007 founder of the largest indigenous christian church in american history, joseph smith published the 584page book of mormon when he was twentythree and went on to organize a church, found cities, and attract thousands of followers before his violent death at age thirtyeight. While many experts continue to view joseph smith as a controversial figure, renowned scholar and latterday saint richard bushman locates joseph in his historical and cultural context, fleshing out the many nuances of. In a times and seasons editorial, october 1, 1842, the prophet joseph smith, after progressive study. The response to joseph smiths innovations in the second. Joseph smiths use of seerstones in the revealing of the. With each edition, he patched pieces together and altered the wording to clarify meaning. December 23, 1805 june 27, 1844 was an american religious leader and founder of mormonism and the latter day saint movement. October 1st is the anniversary of a little known event in early church history that i believe, in consequence of significant research progress, now deserves recognition for identifying a region of major book of mormon lands and for initiating book of mormon archaeological historicity research.
I also read no man know my history by brody exmormon as well joseph smith by robert ramini nevermo i didnt plan to read a book from the different lenses but i think it was important to balance everything. I was fortunate to read an advanced readers copy of the highly anticipated joseph smith. I wanted to put together some historical accounts that show that joseph smith used a seer stone in his translation of the book of mormon. The sound of the hammer and chisel was never heard on me nor never will be. Of joseph fielding smiths denial that joseph smith used a. Author bushmans diary of rough stone rolling tour is a. Publication date 1959 publisher deseret book company collection universallibrary contributor universal digital library language.
There has been much chatter about this book, a great deal of expectation. Rough stone rolling, presents his reflections on the life and times of the prophet joseph smith. According to the letter, owens, who was determined to have the prophet arrested on false charges and returned to missouri, had been in contact with people such as john bennett, governor reynolds, governor ford, harmon wilson of. Rough stone rolling also brilliantly evaluates the prophets bold contributions to christian theology and his cultural place in the modern world. The best and most authoritative and respected history of joseph smith is prob. The book is a straightforward history written in more of the tone of rough stone rolling. Top 20 joseph smith, jr quotes author of the book of. Salt lake city the mormon church for the first time is publishing photos of a small sacred stone it believes founder joseph smith used to help. He describes the circumstances of josephs life and gives a sketch of his place in the world, the circumstances in which he lived, and what he had to overcome and deal. Rough stone rolling can be borrowed electronically via overdrive, assuming you have access to a library that participates and has licensed the title to my knowledge, no man knows my history has never been made available in digital form although im told that a rogue pdf is in circulation. Rough stone rolling, richard lyman bushman approaches joseph smiths life for all it was, without apology. He is the winner of the bancroft prize for a secular book and the author of joseph smith.
Joseph smithseer stonesrock in hat used for book of. So apparently even the 10th president of the church thinks that using a stone to translate the book of mormon with hardly seems reasonable. Nov 06, 2008 in his cultural biography, joseph smith. While many experts continue to view joseph smith as a controversial figure, renowned scholar and latterday saint richard bushman locates joseph in his. The purpose of the gathering of israel joseph smith. Willard chases account conflicts with other antimormon accounts and. To protect their own deepest commitments, believers want to shield their prophets reputation. Hoax spread by antimormons the peep stone hoax began in 1834 by an antimormon named willard chase, years after the events supposedly occurred. Whether the stone will serve as an ongoing distraction from the remarkable text the stone is said to have helped bring forth. The book of martyrs, by john foxe, is an account of christian martyrs throughout western history from the first century through the early sixteenth centuries, emphasising the sufferings of english protestants and protoprotestants from the fourteenth century through the reign of mary i. Bushman is the author of many books on early american cultural and. Are there newspaper accounts of joseph smith and the. Published by a national press in new york city and marketed to a national readership, the book shows every indication of. Amazingly lds patriarch and author researcher richard bushman in his book rough stone rolling seems to want to convince us that the lord god of israel was preparing joseph smith to.
A cultural biography of mormonisms founder is a biography of joseph smith, founder and prophet of the latter day saint movement, by richard bushman. So extremely well researched, it serves to navigate the polar opposites of negativity towards the early days of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and the other remnant churches and blissful ignorance some individuals have conceived that these early saints were actually saints without flaws. Bushman is both a practicing member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and the gouverneur morris professor of history emeritus at columbia. Did joseph smith translate the book of mormon with a rock. He describes the circumstances of joseph s life and gives a sketch of his place in the world, the circumstances in. This page shows accounts of some of the people close to joseph specifically emma smith, martin harris, david whitmer, and william smith stating that he did in fact, use a seer stone in the translation of the text. Nelson admits to joseph smiths seer stone in hat on lds. The life of the mormon prophet joseph smith, although short, was full of faith and controversy. Jan 06, 2017 it saddens me that deseret book would sell a book like rough stone rolling which got its sources from exlds members which is convincing a lot of members to leave the church and doubt their once solid testimonies of joseph smith and his family. Of course there were, and they have been studied extensively. This includes innumerable personal journal entries, newspaper articles, and other archival evidence from the time period including the relatively new council of fifty minutes. The protective bag housing the stone, said to be crafted by emma smith. In 1879, michael morse, emma smiths brotherinlaw, stated. According to joseph s brother, william smith, cited in deseret news, january 20, 1894, cited in richard lyman bushman, joseph smith.
Joseph smith published the 584page book of mormon when he was twentythree and went on to organize a church, found cities, and attract thousands of followers before his. Discourses of the prophet joseph smith 1965 edition open. When joseph was translating the book of mormon i had occasion more. Joseph smith translated the book of mormon with a seerstone. Oct 08, 20 discourses of the prophet joseph smith by joseph smith, jr. Bushman does not omit controversy from josephs life.
Some earlynineteenthcentury americans used seer stones in attempts to gain revelations from god or to find buried treasure. Rough stone rolling, a cultural biography of mormonisms founder joseph smith is a good read. Im not very far in, but i can already tell that this is my kind of lds book. In my estimation, his book exceeds all previous biographical attempts, including donna hills joseph smith. Joseph smith book of mormon notes how deep can you dig. The article was intended for a general audience and based upon a book by michael hubbard mackay and nicholas j. Joseph explicitly stated that he translated the plates with the urim and thummim that he found. Aug 04, 2015 a picture of a smooth, brown, eggsized rock is shown in the printers manuscript of the book of mormon.
An arresting narrative of the birth of the mormon church, joseph smith. Joseph smith, manuscript history of the church, book a1, 15, joseph smith papers, lds church archives emd 1. At the bottom of the title page and in the testimony of the eight witnesses of the 1830 edition of the book of mormon, joseph smith is. Prof richard l bushman has produced a warts and all biography of the man whose visions resulted in the book of mormon and those cleancut young men who knock on our doors. The fact that joseph smith did not use the stone spectacles to translate the book of mormon stands in conflict with the teaching of the book of mormon itself. Richard bushman, an esteemed cultural historian and a practicing mormon, moves beyond the popular. He made up all kinds of crazy stories about joseph smith, and claimed he had hired joseph smith to dig a well and that joseph stole a mysterious peep stone that he had dug up. A picture of a smooth, brown, eggsized rock is shown in the printers manuscript of the book of mormon. I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain. Quote by joseph smith jr i am like a huge rough stone. A large assembly of the saints met at the temple stand. Discourses of the prophet joseph smith by joseph smith, jr. Introduction o ye that embark in the service of god, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, 1 the lord proclaimed in revelation to joseph smith in february 1829 and later included in the book of scriptures the doctrine and covenants.