Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days

Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days is a multi-volume narrative history that chronicles the establishment and growth of the LDS Church. The work begins in the early 1800s with Joseph Smith's First Vision and traces the development of the religious movement through its formative years. This history combines archival research and primary source materials to present the experiences of both prominent church leaders and ordinary members. The text incorporates letters, journals, and personal accounts to document the institutional expansion of the church and the lived experiences of its adherents. The authors reconstruct key moments in LDS history while providing context about the broader American religious and social landscape of the time period. Multiple viewpoints and perspectives are represented through careful integration of historical documentation. The work examines themes of faith, persecution, community building, and the intersection of divine revelation with human action in the development of a new religious tradition. Through its scope and approach, the book serves as both a historical record and an exploration of religious identity formation.

Readers note this is a more candid and transparent telling of LDS Church history compared to previous official accounts. The book acknowledges complex historical issues while maintaining a faithful perspective. Positives from reviews: - Clear, engaging narrative style that makes history accessible - Includes perspectives of women and minorities - Thorough source documentation - Addresses difficult topics like polygamy and race relations - Effective mix of historical details with personal stories Common criticisms: - Some feel it still downplays controversial aspects - Occasionally oversimplifies complex events - Focus remains institutional rather than scholarly Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,800+ ratings) Deseret Book: 4.8/5 (400+ ratings) "The Church has come a long way in terms of historical transparency," writes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review notes: "This tells the fuller story without flinching from difficult aspects, though maintains a faithful tone throughout."

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Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling by Richard L. Bushman The biography traces Smith's life from his early visions through the founding of the Mormon Church using original sources and contemporary accounts.

The Mormon People: The Making of an American Faith by Matthew Bowman This history chronicles the development of the LDS Church from its founding through modern times with focus on social and cultural transformation.

The Story of the Latter-day Saints by James B. Allen This institutional history presents the growth of the Mormon Church through its challenges, migrations, and evolving practices across two centuries.

Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith by Linda King Newell This biography explores the life of Joseph Smith's wife and her role in early Mormon history through letters, diaries, and historical documentation.

🏛️ The book is part of a planned four-volume series documenting the complete history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with each volume covering a different time period. 📖 Unlike previous official Church histories, this series incorporates multiple perspectives, including those of women and international members, and addresses challenging historical topics directly. ✍️ Over 300 people contributed to the creation of the first volume, including historians, writers, editors, and reviewers, making it one of the most collaborative Church history projects ever undertaken. 🌐 The book is available for free in multiple formats (digital, audio, print) and has been translated into 14 languages to reach a global audience. 📚 The narrative style was specifically chosen to make complex historical events accessible to readers aged 15 and older, while maintaining historical accuracy and including extensive source citations.