The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith

The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith presents the firsthand accounts, letters, and journal entries of Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith Jr. The collection, compiled and edited by Dean C. Jessee, contains Smith's own words rather than the interpretations of others. This volume includes Smith's personal history from 1832, his diaries from 1832-1846, and his correspondence during pivotal years of the early Mormon movement. The text maintains original spelling and grammar while providing historical context through editorial notes and commentary. The writings chronicle Smith's religious experiences, the establishment of the Mormon Church, and his role as both spiritual and temporal leader of a growing religious movement. The documents detail daily activities, theological developments, and interactions with followers and critics during the formative period of Mormonism. These primary source materials offer insights into Smith's character, leadership style, and the evolution of his religious thought. The collection serves as a foundational text for understanding both the man and the religious movement he initiated.

Readers value this book as a primary source collection that presents Joseph Smith's personal writings with minimal editorial interpretation. Many note the clear formatting that distinguishes between Smith's own words and those written by scribes. Readers appreciate: - Original spelling and punctuation preserved - Detailed source notes and context - High-quality reproductions of original documents - Chronological organization Common criticisms: - Too academic/technical for casual readers - Price point ($75-100) seen as high - Some wanted more analysis/commentary - Index could be more comprehensive "This lets Smith speak for himself without layers of interpretation," noted one Amazon reviewer. Another mentioned "finally seeing the raw documents rather than summaries." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (32 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (14 ratings) Deseret Book: 4.8/5 (6 ratings) The 1992 edition receives slightly higher ratings than the 1982 version.

The Papers of Joseph Smith by Scott H. Faulring This compilation presents Smith's journals, letters, and documents in chronological order with historical context and annotations.

Joseph Smith and His Papers: An Introduction by Ronald K. Esplin, Matthew J. Grow, and Matthew C. Godfrey The book provides insight into Smith's documentation process and the creation of early Mormon records through primary sources.

An American Prophet's Record by Scott H. Faulring This work contains Joseph Smith's diaries from 1832-1844 with original spelling and punctuation preserved.

Words of Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat, Lyndon W. Cook The book compiles Smith's sermons and theological teachings from contemporary sources and firsthand accounts.

Joseph Smith's Quorum of the Anointed by Devery S. Anderson and Gary James Bergera This collection presents minutes, journals, and personal accounts from Smith's inner circle during the Nauvoo period.

🔎 Dean C. Jessee spent over a decade meticulously gathering and authenticating Joseph Smith's personal documents, including journals, letters, and autobiographical materials. 📜 The book contains the only known accounts of the First Vision written in Joseph Smith's own handwriting, providing crucial primary source material for historians. 📚 First published in 1982, this work revolutionized Mormon historical studies by making previously unpublished or difficult-to-access documents widely available to scholars and researchers. ✍️ Many of the documents in the collection reveal Joseph Smith's private thoughts and personal struggles, offering a more intimate view of the Mormon prophet than his public sermons and official church records. 🏆 Dean C. Jessee's work on this collection earned him the Mormon History Association's Best Book Award and established him as one of the leading experts on Joseph Smith's documentary history.