Inside the Mind of Joseph Smith: Psychobiography and the Book of Mormon

by Robert D. Anderson, Robert D. Anderson, E.J. Koh

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1560851252
• ISBN13: 9781560851257
• Release Date: August 1999
• Publisher: Signature Books
• Length: 263 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Inside the mind of a narcissist

Anderson begins by accepting the scientific evidence supporting the conclusion that the Book of Mormon is a fraud. Within this context, and owing to its rapid dictation, he views the Book of Mormon akin to the sort of free association a psychologist might encounter with a patient. He then applies the principles of psychoanalytic analysis to discern specific attributes and traits of Joseph Smith's personality. In Anderson's words: "This book is not about `Did Joseph Smith create the Book of Mormon?" but "How did Joseph Smith create the Book of Mormon." [xxvi] I must admit I was skeptical about the author's claim. After all, psychoanalysis is viewed by many scientists as a branch of pseudoscience and quackery. Anderson tempers his approach, however, and when he goes out on a limb with his explanations he's quick to point it out to the reader, and to moderate his conclusions with warnings about the limitations of his craft. Even if one disregards the psychoanalytic aspects all together, this book still has considerable value. Anderson presents a nice summary of interesting bits of early Mormonism that are probably unknown to most members, owing to the church's revisionist and exclusionary policy toward Joseph's early history. Anderson also presents some very compelling parallels between Smith's life and key events and themes in the Book of Mormon. The author diagnoses Joseph Smith as a narcissist. He also claims the Book of Mormon plays out (often several times) key events from Smith's life. Some of the parallels he describes are truly interesting and hard to ignore. Because of this, the temptation is always present to use these parallels as evidence against the Book of Mormon. While parallels between Smith's life and the Book of Mormon do call into question the book's authenticity, one must remember that the book's fraudulent nature is accepted from the start with Anderson. With the exception of the introduction, the book is quite interesting and held my interest. The introduction is filled (it seems) with very dry and technical information about psychoanalysis that I found hard to wade through. This is unfortunate because it may dissuade readers who would truly enjoy later parts of the book. Anderson describes many parallels that are striking and too obvious to ignore. Sometimes, though, I think he tries too hard, and I found some of his conclusions far fetched. When the parallels don't quite line up he invokes inversion and exaggeration. This left me with the occasional impression that the author was simply picking and choosing explanations - using correlation when it's there, and anti-correlation when it's not there. That's exactly the sort of ad hoc story telling that astrologers and other superstitious people use, and it distracts somewhat from the validity of Anderson's case. According to Anderson, Smith saw himself as Nephi (Nephi was just one of Smith's alter egos in the Book of Mormon), and Smith used elements

The true Joseph Smith at last after 150 years!

After reading many many books on Joseph Smith from pro and anti sources some dating back more than 100 years old, this one is easily the best and most disturbing of all. It takes everything that is known historically about Smith and uses what modern science knows to put together a very detailed pscho-analysis, if you will, of Joseph Smith. It is a very sad and disturbing portrait. I don't recommend it for the faint of heart. But if you follow the author's thoughtful argument to the end and understand his thesis, you end up with a very powerful and comprehensive portrait of a sad, lonely and manipulative person who was charismatic enough to gather hundreds of followers who loved and adored him. I would only recommend the book to those well versed in the history of the period and of Smith. Should only be read after reading the Hill and Brodie biographies at a minimum. I was reminded of John Mack's great pscyobiography of Lawrence of Arabia(T. E. Lawrence) "Prince of our Disorder" that won the Pulitzer prize in 1976. I have read the Anderson book twice in it's entirety and parts many times more and am always struck by the power of his portrait. This is one for the ages, in my opinion. Too bad it has taken this long to reveal the Joseph Smith at last! Don't miss this one, it will change your world view on human nature itself.

Come on

I haven't read the book, but I'm giving it 5 stars because of the poor reviews made by people who are obvious LDS members. I've found that LDS church members often write bad reviews for an outsider's opinion of their religion, the prophets of their religion, the practices in their religion, etc. They don't quite get the idea that other opinions do exist and that most of the world does not regard the LDS faith as the one true church. Please don't rate a book poorly because it was an attempt of psychoanalysis of your first prophet. You don't have to agree with the book, nor the subject matter. But rather than write poor reviews, just stay away from the book. Don't try to sway other people from literature because you don't like it.

Who says there's nothing new under the sun?

The value of the insights in this book cannot be overstated. The author makes an extremely convincing case that Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon himself, and in the process inadvertently let items from his [Smith's] own life color the narrative, providing a sort of "free association" setting during the dictation. Although the author uses these "colorings" to form a psychoanalytical profile for the Mormon prophet, the listing of parallels alone are well worth the price of the book.The author's intent is to provide a tentative diagnosis, and he fully explains the inherent weaknesses in such an approach. Although there may be alternative diagnoses for Smith, the evidences themselves outlined by the author that Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon are *not* so weak and will be much more difficult for the apologists to refute.Much material about Mormonism, pro- and con-, has been hashed and rehashed. This book does not contain any of that. This book offers a refreshing and unique dimension to the pro- vs. con- dialogue. Often I caught myself saying, "Why didn't I think of that?"I heartily recommend this book.

From the two academic reviewers on the back of the book:

A superb and fascinating study, approached with the dual advantage of an insider and an experienced psychiatrist. Anderson has mastered the impressive literature and presents a convincing psychobiographic study of one of the great religious figures of the American scene. He unveils for us one of the most profound and perplexing questions in the understanding of religious movements--how important figures can translate psychic disturbances into messages of conviction and inspiration. The story itself is powerful, and the questions it raises are thought provoking.--W.W. Meissner, S.J., M.D., Professor of Psychoanalysis, Boston College; author, Ignatius of Loyola: The Psychology of a Saint and of Psychoanalysis and the Religious Experience. Anderson has an excellent grasp of early Mormon history and writes with dispassion and good balance, impressive scholarship, and readable prose. His naturalistic explanation provides a unique and penetrating analysis of the factors which motivated and fashioned Joseph Smith's dictation of the Book of Mormon. We have been waiting a long time for this book.--Brigham D. Madsen, Professor Emeritus of History and former Vice President, University of Utah; editor, Studies of the Book of Mormon.