Joseph Smith, the First Mormon

by Donna Hill and Donna Hill

Book Overview

One of four major biographies of Joseph Smith, Donna Hill’s award-winning book is the most comprehensive. Hill cautiously rejects the simplistic reductionism of either/or characterizations in favor of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 038500804X
• ISBN13: 9780385008044
• Release Date: January 1977
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 527 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The most balanced book at time of publication on Joseph Smith

Donna Marie Hill was an accomplished author, with a wonderful, entertaining and scholarly way of writing both fictional and non fictional books. Her book on Joseph Smith definitely captures the reader's attention and keeps the reader interested throughout the whole book. At the time she wrote it, this book was touted by many scholars (both LDS and Non LDS) to be the most definitive, unbiased, and most balanced biography on Joseph Smith in it's day. In fact many academians thought that her work was far superior to the biased book by Fawn Brodie (who definitely had an "ax" to grind as a former Mormon who apparently wished to shake believers from their faith). Although Donna Hill's book is still a strong contributor to a scholarly and balanced, in-depth look at Joseph Smith and perhaps the most interesting to read, there have been additional writings by other competent authors since that time who have followed in her footsteps. These authors have had available to them further information that has since come to light on this subject. For a more current, updated work on Joseph Smith (although a somewhat "drier" read), I would recommend "Joseph Smith Rough Stone Rolling" by Richard Lyman Bushman, for another comprehensive analysis. He includes additional research not available when Donna Hill wrote her book.

The most balanced book at time of publication on Joseph Smith

Donna Marie Hill was an accomplished author, with a wonderful, entertaining and scholarly way of writing both fictional and non fictional books. Her book on Joseph Smith definitely captures the reader's attention and keeps the reader interested throughout the whole book. At the time she wrote it, this book was touted by many scholars (both LDS and Non LDS) to be the most definitive, unbiased, and most balanced biography on Joseph Smith in it's day. In fact many academians thought that her work was far superior to the biased book by Fawn Brodie (who definitely had an "ax" to grind as a former Mormon who apparently wished to shake believers from their faith). Although Donna Hill's book is still a strong contributor to a scholarly and balanced, in-depth look at Joseph Smith and perhaps the most interesting to read, there have been additional writings by other competent authors since that time who have followed in her footsteps. These authors have had available to them further information that has since come to light on this subject. For a more current, updated scholarly work on Joseph Smith, I would recommend "Joseph Smith Rough Stone Rolling" by Richard Lyman Bushman, for another comprehensive analysis. He includes additional research not available when Donna Hill wrote her book.

No doubt....

I have no doubt, now more than ever, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. A human being with imperfections, yes. But indeed an inspired man chosen by the Lord for a great cause. Great book, great man, and an awesome God!

The best that can be done

This is the best book about Joseph Smith that I have read.Hill tells the story as fairly as she can through the availabledocuments surrounding Smith's life. Since Smith was/is such acontroversial figure, there is a load of conflicting reports about him. Hill was able to let the primary documents speak for themselves. When conflicting reports existed, she presented them all and let the reader be the judge. Loved it. END

Objectivity is Not Possible...

The chore of any biographer is to attempt to portray their subject in as true a light as possible. The problem lies in the reality that most people, especially the colorful characters that shape history, look so different when cast under different lights. None more so than Joseph Smith. Donna Hill tackles no small task in attempting a balanced look at an extremely controversial figure, one whose name is had for divine praise or demonic derision, but seldom anything disspationate. What is important is that she doesn't shy away from the tough topics including; the Smith family's fascination with folk magic; money digging; polygamy; and the Danites, yet leaves the reader free to draw their own conclusions. For instance, as she describes what many critics have called "the Zion's Camp fiasco," the reader is left to recognize the importance of the journey, while understanding the tragic circumstances of its conclusion. What she has done is describe the "times and seasons" of the Prophet's life, while avoiding to a reasoble degree the temptation to cast judgement on that life (although she tends to be considerably more forgiving of Joseph Smith's shortcomings than is Fawn Brodie in "No Man Knows My History." On the other hand, she is far more objective than Joseph Smith himself in his "History of the Church.") To faithful followers of "The First Mormon," it is essential to read the book with an eye toward understanding the meaning of the life of Joseph Smith, rather than getting caught up in the possibility that he was a fallible human being. To the non-Mormon, it is important to understand the times and circumstances that produced a man of extraordinary talent and vision, which has led to the establishment of a world religion that is destined to play a role in shaping the future of our civilization. The topic, Joseph Smith, is no trivial matter, and understanding him is no trivial undertaking. Ms. Hill has done as admirable a job as any I know of.