Organize My Kingdom: A History of Restored Priesthood By John A. Tvedtnes Cornerstone, 2000. Paperback: 258 pages. ISBN: 1-9292810-8-0 Suggested retail price: $16.95 (US)
Reviewed by: Jeff Needle

Organize My Kingdom takes on the large, and complex, story of the restoration of God's priesthood in the latter days. Tvedtnes' book is detailed and thorough, studying each new development in the Restoration not just as a discrete event, but also as to how it fits in the sequence of preceding events as well as its historical context.

Beginning with the calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Tvedtnes leads us through the early growing pains of the Church, the evident desire to conform to the Lord's wishes as to the organization of the Church, and the willingness of leadership to adapt to differing circumstances.

The major success of this book, in my opinion, is its ability to keep the narrative moving, thus keeping the reader interested. How easy it would have been to get bogged down in details -- and there are, to be sure, plenty of details to be had here. Instead, Tvedtnes opens a window into the minds and lives of the leaders who brought about these changes, bringing to the story a nice human interest angle.

Within each chapter, Organize My Kingdom brings to our attention some lesser-known, but very interesting, insights into early Mormonism. For example, in the chapter "The Kirtland Period," we learn of the evolution of the role of the bishop in the Church. New members will be surprised at how differently the early bishops functioned than they do today. Likewise, reflections on the development of stakes and wards give the reader insight into how the Church has gotten to where it is today.

Tvedtnes renders a great service to us by documenting the evolutionary nature of some of the revelations. Beginning with the Book of Commandments, he shows how the revelations themselves changed as they passed to early editions of the D&C, and finally into the present edition. Such changes became necessary as the meanings of words changed. I found the whole process fascinating.

Especially interesting to me was the chapter reserved for Mormonism's transition from an American church to a worldwide movement. So many changes had to be made to adapt to this situation. And, I believe, we haven't seen the end of this. As the Church continues to grow by leaps and bounds, so also will the Church have to adapt to these changing circumstances.

I do have two minor problems.

The first has to do with typography. Note reference numbers, found within the text and referencing footnotes at the bottom of each page, are normally presented in a smaller type size and superscripted. These numbers are indeed superscripted, but the note numbers themselves are in the same type size as the rest of the text. The result is something of a distraction. One would have hoped the publisher had followed custom in this matter.

The second is a minor quibble with Tvedtnes' understanding of the Stone-Campbell Restoration movement, which, as you know, preceded the Joseph Smith Restoration (if I may call it that). From page 37:

A dramatic increase in the number of Church members soon followed. One of the early converts was Parley P. Pratt,
'
'Campbellite' preacher. The Campbellites were officially known as the Disciples of Christ, founded in the state of Ohio by Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott, and Sidney Rigdon. The group believed in the imminent return of Jesus Christ and in the restoration of the priesthood with all of its powers, as reflected in the Bible.

I believe there are several problems with this statement:

1. According to reliable sources, the Disciples of Christ began in Pennsylvania, not Ohio, although Ohio had an important early role.

2. In view of the fact that Rigdon didn't join the movement until the 1820's or so, he really isn't classed as a "founder," given the stated founding date of the movement as 1805.

3. Campbell was a post-millenialist. This, de facto, precludes any thought of the "imminent return" of Jesus Christ.

4. And finally, readers might be confused at Tvedtnes' reference to the "restoration of the priesthood with all of its powers" as referring to the Campbellite movement. Alexander Campbell did not believe that the authority to perform priesthood offices -- baptism, etc. -- were removed from earth at any time. They always believed, and still believe, that the authority to baptize has always been present, and is inextricably linked to the authority to preach. Yes, they looked to the restoration of the primitive organization and belief of the church, but not the priesthood, as it is understood by Mormons.

These minor quibbles aside, Organize My Kingdom is a fine book and merits a place on the bookshelf of every thoughtful Latter-day Saint. Here, in one volume, the reader will find a wealth of information and insight, in a readable and enjoyable format. I liked this book, and believe I will return to it again and again as a primary source for understanding just how the holy priesthood was restored to the earth.