Joseph is a collection of 39 essays by 33 different authors (including the editors) chronicling the amazing life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Beginning with a faith-filled essay of the foreordination of Joseph Smith, and the foregleamings of his ministry and his role in the Restoration of the Gospel, the authors take us through the Joseph story in a clear, understandable way.

That such a volume has been published as the Church celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Prophet's birth is no surprise. Interest in Joseph Smith is considerable, even outside the walls of the Church. With national news coverage and renewed conversations about the Prophet, it stands to reason that faithful believers will want to tell the story yet again.

A bit of simple division (39 essays, 448 pages) will indicate that the essays themselves are rather brief and to the point. Although many of the contributors are scholars and/or academics, the audience for this book seems to be either the new member wanting to learn more about Joseph Smith, or the interested outsider who desires an overview that is both accessible and understandable. But even life-long members will be happily refreshed in their reading of the life of the Prophet.

Some of the writers add detail to their essays that may be new to readers -- for example, Kent P. Jackson's essay on the publishing of the Book of Mormon includes some information about the Grandin publishing house that is not normally covered in Church curriculum. And Kent P. Jackson's chapter titled "The Prophet's Teachings in Nauvoo" contains a welcome summary of Joseph's teachings in the "King Follett Discourse," not much discussed in Church circles these days.

The common thread that runs through all the essays is the absolute belief in the truth of Mormonism and its historical claims. Some readers may wonder at the strident phraseology in some of the writing. For example, in Andrew C. Skinner's essay, "Joseph Smith Foretold," he says:

We know with absolute certainty that almost four millennia before Joseph Smith was born, Abraham's great-grandson Joseph of Egypt spoke specifically about his latter-day namesake (JST Genesis 50; 2 Nephi 3) (p. 9)

Those not completely convinced of the truth of Latter-day Scripture, and perhaps those with a scientific/logical bent, will not agree that we can know anything with "absolute certainty." There is always room for doubt. But the true believer rests with comfort in the certainty of faith, in the surety of the Restoration and of the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith, Jr.

The purpose of this volume seems not just to inform and inspire, but to "rally the troops," in a sense. The story of Joseph Smith has been subject to exaggeration and distortion from both his supporters and his detractors. Scholars such as Richard Bushman, in his celebrated Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, reviewed here previously, have tried to integrate both the good and the bad into a balanced, but not necessarily "faith-promoting," biography.

I have argued in the past, and will do so again here, that there is a place for both the faithful, and the critical, biographers. There is enough in the real story of Joseph's life to fill volumes, written with the aim of building faith and nurturing one's allegiance to the Church. The present volume accomplishes this. While wide in scope, and varied in authorship, the essays are consistently brief, informative, thoughtful and respectful of its subject.

I really liked this book. Keith J. Wilson, in his essay titled "The Three Witnesses," hits the nail on its head. He describes Joseph Smith as the "nexus and the wellspring" of the Mormon faith (p. 95). As such, his life story merits the effort and attention paid to it in this anniversary year. Those wishing a clear, faithful account written for a general audience, you can't do much better than this book. The editors are to be commended for this fine effort.

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Jeff Needle
November 13, 2005