The Story of the Latter-day Saints

The Story of the Latter-day Saints is a comprehensive historical account of the LDS Church, written by James B. Allen and Glen M. Leonard. Published in 1976, this 722-page volume tracks the development of the Mormon faith from its origins through the late twentieth century. The book takes a scholarly approach to Mormon history, examining both internal church developments and external societal influences. It differs from previous religious histories by addressing controversial topics and placing events within broader historical contexts. The authors present organizational changes, international expansion, and doctrinal developments of the LDS Church across multiple eras. Written primarily for members of the faith, the text includes detailed information about church administration and institutional growth. Beyond its historical narrative, the work explores themes of religious motivation, cultural adaptation, and institutional evolution. The text demonstrates how the LDS Church maintained core beliefs while responding to changing times, transitioning from a regional American movement to a global religious organization.

Readers appreciate this book's balanced perspective on LDS Church history, noting its inclusion of both faith-affirming and challenging historical events. Many reviewers highlight the detailed research and academic approach while maintaining readability for non-scholars. Readers liked: - Comprehensive coverage of social and cultural context - Clear chronological organization - Inclusion of photographs and primary sources - Neutral tone on controversial topics Readers disliked: - Some dated content (1976 first edition) - Limited coverage of post-1970 events - Academic style can feel dry - Print editions now hard to find Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (12 ratings) "An honest look at Mormon history without falling into either apologetics or antagonism," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another reader on Amazon described it as "thorough without being overwhelming for newcomers to Mormon studies."

Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints This four-volume series presents LDS Church history through narrative accounts of individuals and primary source documents.

Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Lyman Bushman This biography of Joseph Smith places the LDS Church founder in historical context while examining the development of Mormon theology and institutions.

David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism by Gregory Prince This book chronicles the transformation of the LDS Church into a global religion during McKay's presidency from 1951-1970.

Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith by Linda King Newell This biography examines Mormon history through the perspective of Joseph Smith's wife Emma and her role in early church development.

The Mormon Experience: A History of the Latter-day Saints by Leonard J. Arrington This comprehensive history traces the LDS Church from its origins through its establishment in Utah and expansion into an international organization.

🔹 James B. Allen served as Assistant Church Historian for the LDS Church from 1972-1979, giving him unique access to historical records and documents while writing this book. 🔹 The first edition was published in 1976 during the U.S. Bicentennial year, when there was increased national interest in religious histories and American religious movements. 🔹 By the time the book was published, the LDS Church had grown from its six original members in 1830 to over 4 million members worldwide. 🔹 This was one of the first mainstream historical works about Mormonism to extensively cover the modern church's international expansion into Latin America, Asia, and Africa. 🔹 The book's publication marked a significant shift in Mormon historiography, as it balanced faithful perspectives with academic historical methodology - an approach that influenced many subsequent works in the field.