Talk:Works relating to Joseph Smith

Questionable yet famous works

In the section for "Teachings and writings", should works be listed if Joseph Smith's authorship is in question? Scholarship in the last few decades suggests Sidney Rigdon as the principle author of the Lectures on Faith, yet all editions I've ever seen state Joseph Smith as the author (as he has historically been assumed). This is a significant publication during JS's life (and was included in the canonized D&C until 1920), so it is notable enough for inclusion if we believe it represents JS's "teachings and writings".

Also, the History of the Church (HC) is always published with JS as author, but it was prepared by his scribes, which includes dictation from JS along with other source material edited to read as if authored by JS in the first person. It has gone through various re-edits as it morphed from the Manuscript History into the History of Joseph Smith (printed serially in Mormon newspapers for decades), then in to the 6 volumes edited by B.H. Roberts in 1902-1912 (a.k.a. the "Documentary History"). Problems with its reliability and authorship have been pointed out in scholarship for 40 years. Certain historians won't use it as a source. Despite this, HC may be the most well known publication on LDS history. Excerpts were canonized in the Pearl of Great Price as "Joseph Smith–History". So, does this qualify as "teachings and writings" of JS? Maybe it should just be listed under "other historical works" with a footnote identifying the problems (and citing the scholarship). ——Rich jj (talk) 17:57, 8 December 2014 (UTC)

I ended up adding these works with footnotes about the problem of categorization or authorship. Now I wonder about the other entries in Category:Works by Joseph Smith that aren't already included here. For example:

• Book of Commandments (1833)
  • Revised when incorporated into Doctrine and Covenants in 1835 (already on the list)
• King Follett discourse (1844)
• Kirtland Egyptian papers (1835-1842)
  • Some authorship concerns?
• Wentworth letter (1842)
  • Contains "Articles of Faith", which were excerpted into the Pearl of Great Price (already on the list)
• White Horse Prophecy (1843? ; 1902?)
  • Serious authorship concerns
• Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007)
  • Amalgamation of quotations into a modern Sunday School manual

And then there are various other books of the teachings of Joseph Smith. Where does it end? What should be included and what excluded?

• Sheri L. Dew; Virginia H. Pearce, eds. The Beginning of Better Days: Divine Instruction to Women from the Prophet Joseph Smith (2012)
• Randy L. Bott, compiler. In the Words of Joseph Smith: The Prophet's Insights on the Doctrine and Covenants (2008)
• Ed J. Pinegar, compiler. A Prophet's Voice: Inspiring Quotes from Joseph Smith (2005)
• Harold W. Pease, compiler. The Mind and Will of the Lord: Indexed Discourses of Joseph Smith Speaking in General Conference (2001)
• H. Michael Marquardt, editor. The Joseph Smith Revelations: Text & Commentary (1999)
• Richard Galbraith, editor. The Scriptural Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (1993)
• Robert L. Millet, editor. Joseph Smith: Selected Sermons & Writings (1989) Sources of American Spirituality (Paulist Press).
• Alma P. Burton, compiler. Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith (1956)
• James E. Talmage, compiler. Latter-day Revelation: Selections from the Book of Doctrine & Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1930)
• Edwin F. Parry, compiler. Joseph Smith's Teachings: A Classified Arrangement of the Doctrinal Sermons and Writings of the Great Latter-day Prophet (1912)
• General Smith's Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States (1844)

——Rich jj (talk) 01:17, 23 December 2014 (UTC)

Criteria for books about JS

There are probably a huge number of works published about Joseph Smith. I've recently added about 5 books, to give breadth and recent notable scholarship. But we don't want this list to get huge. What should be the criteria for inclusion? Scholarly presses? Notable authors? Newer publications? Primarily about JS (as opposed to generally about Mormonism)? Should we include apologetic or polemical publications (like Mike Ash or the Tanners, who are both currently listed)?

Here are several works that are related to JS, but are not currently listed (those with WP articles are listed first, followed by a line). Which of these should be included or excluded?

Historical books

• Rodney Stark. The Rise of Mormonism (2005)
• Grant Palmer. An Insider's View of Mormon Origins (2003)
• Jon Krakauer. Under the Banner of Heaven (2003)
• D. Michael Quinn. Early Mormonism and the Magic World View (1987)
• David Persuitte. Joseph Smith and the Origins of the Book of Mormon (1985)
• Linda King Newell, Valeen Tippetts Avery. Mormon Enigma (1984)
• Jerald and Sandra Tanner. Mormonism: Shadow or Reality? (1963)
• B. H. Roberts. Comprehensive History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1930), vols. 1-2
• Nauvoo Expositor (1844)
• Eber D. Howe. Mormonism Unvailed (1834)

————————————

• Brian C. Hales. Joseph Smith's Polygamy, 3 volumes, (2013)
• Jane Barnes. Falling in Love with Joseph Smith: My Search for the Real Prophet (2012)
• Samuel Alonzo Dodge, Steven C. Harper, eds. Exploring the First Vision (2012)
• Samuel Morris Brown. In Heaven as It Is on Earth: Joseph Smith and the Early Mormon Conquest of Death (2012)
• Mark E. Mendenhall, et al, eds. Joseph and Hyrum: Leading as One (2010)
• Newell G. Bringhurst, Craig L. Foster. The Persistence of Polygamy: Joseph Smith and the Origins of Mormon Polygamy (2010)
• Susan Easton Black. Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet (2007)
• Susan Easton Black, Andrew C. Skinner, eds. Joseph: Exploring the Life and Ministry of the Prophet (2005)
• Susan Easton Black, ed. "Praise to the Man": Fifteen Classic BYU Devotionals About the Prophet Joseph Smith, 1955-2005 (2005)
• W. Jeffrey Marsh. Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration (2005)
• Matthew B. Brown. Joseph Smith, The Man, The Mission, The Message (2004)
• Mark L. McConkie, ed. Remembering Joseph: Personal Recollections of Those Who Knew the Prophet Joseph Smith (2003)
• Richard E. Turley, Lael Littke. Stories from the Life of Joseph Smith (2003)
• Ephraim Hatch. Joseph Smith Portraits: A Search for the Prophet's Likeness (1998)
• Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet. Joseph Smith: The Choice Seer (1996)
• H. Michael Marquardt, Wesley P. Walters. Inventing Mormonism: Tradition and the Historical Record (1994)
• Susan Easton Black, Charles D. Tate, eds. Joseph Smith: The Prophet, the Man (1993)
• Robert N. Hullinger. Joseph Smith's Response to Skepticism (1992)
• Rodger I. Anderson. Joseph Smith’s New York Reputation Reexamined (1990)
• Larry C. Porter, Susan Easton Black, eds. The Prophet Joseph: Essays on the Life and Mission of Joseph Smith (1988)
• J. Christopher Conkling. A Joseph Smith Chronology (1979)
• Hyrum L. Andrus, ed. They Knew the Prophet (1974)
• Ivan J. Barrett. Joseph Smith and the Restoration: A History of the LDS Church to 1846 (1973)
• Leon R. Hartshorn. Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration (1970)
• Hyrum L. Andrus. Joseph Smith, the Man and the Seer (1960)
• John A. Widtsoe. Joseph Smith: Seeker After Truth, Prophet of God (1951)
• B. H. Roberts. Joseph Smith, the Prophet-Teacher (1908)

Biographies

• Francis M. Gibbons. Joseph Smith: Martyr, Prophet of God (1977)
• Preston Nibley. Joseph Smith, the Prophet (1944)
• John Henry Evans. Joseph Smith, an American Prophet (1933)
• George Q. Cannon. Life of Joseph Smith, the Prophet (1888)
• Edward W. Tullidge. Life of Joseph the Prophet (1878)

Films (featuring JS in some way, although he may not be the focus)

• History of the Saints (TV series), some episodes (2010-)
• Emma Smith: My Story (2008)
• The Mormons (miniseries) (2007)
• Search for the Truth (film) (2007)
• South Park: All About Mormons (2003); Super Best Friends (2001)
• The God Makers II (1992)
• Legacy: A Mormon Journey (1990)
• The God Makers (1982)
• Brigham Young (film) (1940)
• One Hundred Years of Mormonism (1913)

————————————

• A Mormon President (2011)
• Stories from the life of Porter Rockwell (2010)
• Treasure in Heaven: The John Tanner Story (2009)
• Love Letters of Joseph and Emma (2008)
• The Times and Teachings of Joseph Smith (2007)
• On Sacred Ground: Reflections on Joseph Smith (2006)
• Joseph Smith: The Man, The Mission, The Message (2005)
• Praise to the Man (2005): The Living Scriptures (biopic)
• The Restoration (2004)
• Fourth Witness: The Mary Whitmer Story (1997)
• Docudrama of the Restoration, several episodes (1993): The Living Scriptures
• The Joseph Smith Story (1988): The Living Scriptures (cartoon)
• The Heavens Are Open (1988)
• Brigham (1977)
• The First Vision (1976)
• The Lost Manuscript (1974)

——Rich jj (talk) 02:13, 23 December 2014 (UTC)