Book Review: The Assassination of Joseph Smith

About the book:
The Assassination of Joseph Smith is the story of the first president-prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This story begins with Joseph Smith on the plains of northern Missouri in late October 1838. He is thirty-two-years-old and has less than six years to live. This story is written in present-tense form to help the reader feel more engaged with the events and the people who surrounded this distinctive Nineteenth Century figure. There are no fictional characters placed into the story.
The man you will read about in this book is heralded as a prophet by some and held in contempt by others. His name is had for both good and evil. Loyal members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, varied historians, and his most vehement critics, then and now, can at least agree on one thing: Joseph Smith was murdered in cold blood.

About the author:
Ryan C. Jenkins has been a student of the life and teachings of Joseph Smith for nearly 25 years. After obtaining his Master of Education from Weber State University in 2004, Ryan began writing opinion pieces for Northern Utah newspapers on family, freedom, politics, and religion. He was a blogger on the subject of faith for two years; many of his posts were featured on realclearreligion.org. He was also an associate editor for Great American Documents for Latter-Day Saint Families (2012). Professionally, he has experience in business, public relations, and religious education. He has been teaching and writing for 18 years. Ryan and his wife Melissa have six children. They reside in Columbia, Missouri.

From Reidhead Randomness:

Many stories in LDS church history are so well known, the little children can recount them.  There are many famous stories, and some that are not as well known.  In The Assassination of Joseph Smith, we are lead through a journey of Joseph Smiths last 6 years of life.  It is written in chronological order, and filled with stories of persecution and trials that the early Mormons, but most specifically, Joseph Smith and those close to him, had to endure.  It also shares some background information and pictures of some of the main persecutors.

It was interesting to read about the many events that transpired throughout the early church history, and surrounding Joseph Smith.  There was quite a bit of new information that I had either learned, but forgot, or never heard before.  I had no idea that he was poisoned, and threw up so violently that it dislocated his jaw...and that he put it back in himself.  There are lots of stories and tidbits that made my appreciation for Joseph Smith grow.

Whether a member of the LDS faith, or not, this offers interesting insight to this period of time in the 1800's.


I received a copy of the book in order to write my review, however all opinions expressed are my own.