The Words of Joseph Smith

The Words of Joseph Smith is a scholarly compilation of documented sermons and teachings given by Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The book presents transcriptions from original diaries and journals of Smith's contemporaries who recorded his public discourses between 1839-1844. The editors, Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook, gathered materials from multiple firsthand sources to reconstruct these sermons, including accounts from Willard Richards, William Clayton, and Wilford Woodruff. Each entry includes historical context, source notes, and documentation of the circumstances surrounding the discourse. These collected sermons focus on theological concepts, religious doctrine, and organizational principles that shaped the early Latter-day Saint movement. Many of the included discourses were delivered in Nauvoo, Illinois during a pivotal period of church development. The work stands as a primary source compilation that illuminates the theological and philosophical foundations of Mormonism through direct accounts of Smith's public teaching. The chronological arrangement allows readers to trace the evolution and refinement of key religious concepts during the final years of Smith's life.

Readers appreciate the comprehensive collection of Joseph Smith's sermons and doctrinal teachings, particularly the previously unpublished Nauvoo-era discourses. Many note the value of seeing multiple scribal accounts of the same sermons side-by-side. Positive comments focus on: - Detailed footnotes providing historical context - Inclusion of original source documents - Organization by chronological order Common criticisms: - Book is out of print and hard to find - Some readers find the multiple sermon versions repetitive - Academic style can be dense for casual readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (22 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (13 ratings) One reader on Goodreads called it "the most important collection of Joseph Smith's teachings outside the standard works." Another noted it's "indispensable for serious study of Mormon doctrine." The negative reviews mostly center on accessibility rather than content, with one Amazon reviewer stating "great material but needs to be republished in a more affordable format."

The Joseph Smith Papers: Journals, Volume 1 by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman Original journal entries and documents reveal Joseph Smith's daily activities, thoughts, and revelations in his own words.

Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Lyman Bushman This biography uses primary sources and contemporary documents to examine Joseph Smith's life through historical context and documented events.

Joseph Smith's First Vision by Milton V. Backman The book presents accounts of Joseph Smith's first vision through multiple contemporary sources and historical records.

The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith by Dean C. Jessee This collection compiles letters, journal entries, and personal records written by Joseph Smith without later editing or interpretation.

Early Mormon Documents by Dan Vogel The five-volume collection presents original sources about Joseph Smith and early Mormon history from both Mormon and non-Mormon perspectives.

🔷 While Joseph Smith never published an autobiography, this book compiles his sermons and teachings from contemporary sources including personal journals, diaries, and newspaper accounts from 1839-1844. 🔷 The book includes the complete King Follett Discourse, considered one of Joseph Smith's most significant theological sermons, which he delivered just months before his death. 🔷 Andrew F. Ehat completed much of the research for this book while still a graduate student at Brigham Young University, and it grew from his master's thesis work. 🔷 The compilation contains detailed footnotes that cross-reference multiple accounts of the same sermon, allowing readers to compare how different listeners recorded Smith's words. 🔷 Many of the original source documents used in this book were previously unpublished, giving historians and researchers access to new primary sources about Joseph Smith's teachings.