American Crucifixion: The Murder of Joseph Smith

American Crucifixion examines the life and death of Mormon prophet Joseph Smith in 1844 Illinois. The book focuses on the tensions between Mormons and non-Mormons in Nauvoo, Illinois, where Smith established a thriving religious community. Alex Beam reconstructs the events leading to Smith's imprisonment and subsequent killing through historical documents, letters, and firsthand accounts. The narrative traces Smith's rise as a religious leader, his controversial teachings, and the political conflicts that emerged as his influence grew. The book details the internal dissent within the Mormon community and the external pressures from neighboring settlements that created an increasingly volatile situation. Multiple perspectives are presented from Mormon followers, dissenters, and the surrounding population of Illinois. This historical account explores themes of religious freedom, frontier justice, and the complex relationship between church and state in nineteenth-century America. Through Smith's story, broader questions emerge about persecution, power, and the price of religious conviction in early American society.

Readers note the book provides a balanced perspective on Joseph Smith's final days, though Mormon and non-Mormon readers interpret the balance differently. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of complex Mormon doctrine and history - Engaging narrative style that reads like a thriller - Inclusion of primary sources and historical documents - Focus on lesser-known figures involved in the events Common criticisms: - Several factual errors in Mormon historical details - Over-emphasis on salacious aspects of Smith's life - Limited coverage of theological development - Some readers found the tone dismissive of Mormon beliefs Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (280+ ratings) Sample reader quote: "Beam does an admirable job of presenting the facts without taking sides, though his occasional snarky asides detract from the scholarly tone." - Goodreads reviewer Mormon readers frequently note the book is more sympathetic to Smith than expected, while non-Mormon readers find it helps explain early Mormon conflicts with neighbors.

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🔍 Author Alex Beam spent three years researching the book, including extensive time in Mormon archives and historical collections in Utah and Illinois 🏛️ The murder of Joseph Smith took place at Carthage Jail in Illinois, which still stands today and is maintained as a historic site by the Mormon Church 📜 The book reveals that many of Smith's assassins were never prosecuted, despite being known to authorities, and some went on to become respected community leaders ⚔️ The conflict that led to Smith's death was partly sparked by his ordering the destruction of a newspaper, the Nauvoo Expositor, which had published criticisms of his practice of plural marriage 🗳️ At the time of his death in 1844, Joseph Smith was running for President of the United States, making him the first Mormon to launch a campaign for the nation's highest office