Joseph Smith: A Life Lived in Crescendo

Published by The Interpreter Foundation and Eborn Books

Now Available

“[Joseph Smith] lived his life in crescendo, it grew in intensity and volume as he approached its close. Higher and still higher the inspiration of God directed his thoughts; bolder were his conceptions, and clearer his expositions of them. So far was he from being a “fallen prophet” in the closing months of his career, as apostates charged, that he grew stronger with each passing day; more impressive in weight of personal character, and charm of manner; for he preserved amid all the conflicts and trials through which he passed—until the shadows of impending death began to fall upon him in Carthage prison—the natural sweetness of his nature, and the intellectual playfulness characteristic of him from boyhood—so do not fallen prophets” (Elder B. H. Roberts, “Introduction to Joseph Smith”, Jr. History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints, 6:xli-xlii).

This two-volume set (1100 pages total) seeks to enrich study of the life and teachings of Joseph Smith through essays by knowledgeable and faithful scholars on selected punctuation marks of Joseph Smith’s final years in Nauvoo. While some of Joseph Smith’s contemporaries saw these events and doctrinal developments as evidence that he was a fallen prophet, modern Latter-day Saints, looking back, see them as a glorious culmination to a faithful life.

Amazon

• Volumes 1 and 2, Hardcover (Color)
• Volume 1, Hardcover (Color): $69.95 (currently on limited timeframe sale for $60.00)
• Volume 2, Hardcover (Color): $69.95 (currently on limited timeframe sale for $60.00)

• Volumes 1 and 2, Softcover (Black and White)
• Volume 1, Softcover (Black and White): $24.95
• Volume 2, Softcover (Black and White): $24.95

• Kindle Print Replica Digital Book (Two Color Volumes in One): $19.95

Eborn Books

• Volumes 1 and 2, Softcover (Black and White): $49.95

Table of Contents

Volume 1

• Foreword. Richard E. Turley, Jr.

Doctrinal Developments in Nauvoo

• The Man Who Communed with Jehovah, Elder Kyle S. McKay
• Now That We Have the Words of Joseph Smith, How Shall We Begin to Understand Them? Twelve Challenges and Opportunities. Jeffrey M. Bradshaw
• “Line upon Line”: Joseph Smith’s Growing Understanding of the Eternal Family. R. Devan Jensen, Michael A. Goodman, and Barbara Morgan Gardner
• Life Before Birth. Terryl L. Givens
• “For Their Salvation is Necessary and Essential to Our Salvation”: Joseph Smith and the Practice of Baptism and Confirmation for the Dead. Alexander L. Baugh
• Understanding the Doctrine of Election: A Closer Look at the Prophet’s 21 May 1843 Discourse on the “More Sure Word of Prophecy”. Jeffrey M. Bradshaw
• The King Follett Discourse. James E. Faulconer with Susannah Morrison

Temple, Priesthood, and the Relief Society

• Restoring Melchizedek Priesthood. John S. Thompson
• The Revelatory Origins of Temple Ordinances. Jeffrey M. Bradshaw
• Doctrine and Covenants 132: Questions and Discussions. Brian C. Hales
• Thoughts on Reclaiming the History of Relief Society. Rachel Cope
• What Is Women’s Relationship to Priesthood? Lisa Olsen Tait
• “Finishing the Foundation”: The Sacred Site of Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo Store. Jacob D. Hawkins and Matthew J. Grow

Volume 2

The Martyrdom

• Road to Martyrdom: Joseph Smith’s Last Legal Cases. Joseph I. Bentley
• Joseph Smith’s Iowa Quest for Legal Assistance: His Letters to Edward Johnstone and Others 
on Sunday, June 23, 1844. John W. Welch
• True to the End: The Culmination of the Earthly Ministry of the Prophet Joseph Smith in His Martyrdom at Carthage. R. Jean Addams

Succession in Church Leadership

• “All the Measures of Joseph”: The Succession of 1844. Ronald K. Esplin
• Dennison Lott Harris’ firsthand accounts of the conspiracy of Nauvoo and the transmission of apostolic keys. Jeffrey M. Bradshaw
• Aftermath of the Martyrdom: Aspirants to the Mantle of the Prophet Joseph Smith. R. Jean Addams
• A Simple Inventory of Joseph Smith’s Contributions. Hugh W. Nibley