The best book on the LDS pioneers
919774
This is the most comprehensive book I've read on the LDS (Mormon) pioneers. Very in depth but keeps the story going at a pace that is interesting.
2265354
I loved getting to know the seven sisters with their very different and lovable personalities!  By the time I was engrossed in their personal storylines, I was also hooked on the early American/LDS pioneer vignettes and adventures that opened and closed every chapter.  Before I knew it, I had read an entire historical novel that really enlightened me about the masses of men and women that truly populated the Salt Lake Valley over the years - it wasn't just that first group of pioneers that found "the place" with Brigham Young!  I was thrilled to learn that a few of the characters in the book were actual pioneers that crossed the plains.  This book is great for casual readers and history lovers alike - interesting and lovable characters, action driven and organized storylines, and sprinkled with historical facts that are insightful and definitely worth knowing.
1008786
First of all, this is not a Mormon-propaganda book.  It is a scholarly work, a study of law.  It is an account of the legal proceedings that took place as a result of the murders of Joseph and Hyrum Smith at Carthage, Illinois in June of 1844.  This book makes no attempt to convert anyone to Mormonism--in fact it doesn't even focus on the Smiths.  Instead, it critically examines the trial of five men accused of participating in the murder of these two men.
I cannot praise this book enough for its objectivity.  The authors remain completely aloof from bias, and focus instead on an analysis of the trial.  One should not read this book with the intent of learning every detail about the Smiths' murder.  For those interested in knowing about the legal proceedings that followed their deaths, however, this book will be a valuable tool.
This book is an invaluable resource--it unearths many facts and circumstances that I have not encountered anywhere else, and manages to make sense of just what happened inside the Carthage jail on that fateful summer day.  I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Mormon history.
2866951
This is the most fascinating and informative book I've read on the creation of the earth.  It will be helpful to have an LDS background for deeper understanding.
4280169
This is a great book for history buffs interested in knowing about the early days of the LDS church and prophecies by/about the Prophet Joseph Smith.  The writer includes historical text from various resources and perspectives as well as some little-known stories from the life of the prophet.  It's a good read.
3271738
Chip's demeanor in this book is very godly, as his obvious goal is to let Mormons know the differences between Mormonism and Christianity. Utilizing scripture, including the LDS Standard Works, Chip lays out a case for witnessing to the Mormon people. I think every Christian who wants to better share with her LDS family member, friend, or co-worker ought to pick this up and learn the tactics that have worked wonderfully in the streets of Utah.
3574869
This is an exhaustive, well researched account of the "other women" in Joseph Smith's life.  It's long and at times a little dry, but I would encourage anyone reading it to push through to the end.  These women's story is long overdue.  I was raised in the LDS culture and their stories are not well known.  Most of mainstream LDS is "aware" of the polygamy history but does not stop to dwell on the uncomfortable facts.  This book will certainly make anyone uncomfortable.  It will also make you question Joseph Smith and the entire foundation of the religion.  This is a good thing.  Every single person practicing the modern LDS religion needs to know the truth and then re-evaluate their faith.  Todd Crompton openly admits he has done the same.  The author is not anti-mormon.  Throughout all of his research, he has chosen to stay active LDS.  I can truly say that my knowledge is more complete after reading this and I am grateful that Todd has written such a book.  These women are my ancestors and heritage.  I do not however share their devotion or trust of Joseph Smith.
139642
I agreed with the previous reviewers in saying that this is one of the best books regarding the theocratic state that the Mormons tried to create during their early territorial years.  The book does a wonderful job contrasting the theocratic values of the Mormon's ideal world to the republican ideology of the United States at that time.
The key figure of this book proves to be the theocratic dictator of Utah Territory, Brigham Young, prophet and president of the LDS. Its pretty clear by the book that Young saved his church from destruction and with his single-minded clarity of mission, managed to saved Utah for the Mormons. But in doing so, he committed himself to unforgivable sins, worst being the cover-up of the Mountain Meadow Massacre. But it was also interesting how he created a shadow government to off set the loss of formal position. But to paraphase one of the quotes from the book, "I may be the governor of the territory but Young is the govenor of the people" (close?). His defense of polygamy aided the enemies of his church and his willingness to over looked the misdeeds of his underlings marked him as a great but deeply flawed man. The book covered this struggled between Young and all his foes who stood against his theocratic dictatorship.
The book appears to be very well researched, clearly written and easy to read. Its an interesting read of Utah's politics, wars and religious conflicts as the Mormons slowly but surely, began to assimulated into the American society.
988347
I've been studying the LDS Church and sharing the gospel with Mormons for years, but this book gave me an insight to the Mormon life that I could never have known without it. Lynn Wilder's transparency is insightful for Mormons and Christians alike. I am thankful for her honesty and thorough account of, not only events, but the real impact the LDS Church had on her (both positive and negative). This gave me tools for evangelism. Paul said that when in Rome, he was as a Roman. This book will help believers share Christ with Mormons with more sympathy and understanding. It will help truth-seeking Mormons understand the clear distinctions between LDS and Biblical doctrine. I whole heartedly recommend this Book.
-Sam Martin
Associate Pastor, Laramie Valley Chapel
3710785
This is the best of the Nibley Collection and the one I recommend when others ask me. I have read all his works and they are certainly enlightening, this book is more about our personal conversion to the Church of Christ.
I was replacing this book on my shelf which I gave to a daughter some years ago. I also have it online and quote from it often. I am an LDS writer and have a book here on Amazon which is "Finding Zarahemla." I am writing the next one "Finding New Jerusalem" which uses many quotes from Nibley's books. I love how he explains -- sometimes harshly -- the predicament of the "Good Mormon" people who refuse to become true Saints. This is the best of all his books for us to read and make changes in our lives today. Great book!
953915
As a teenager, I learned about the Mormons from the Sherlock Holmes book THE SIGN OF THE FOUR. Since then, I've read about them but nowhere have I seen so compelling and absorbing a history as what David Ebershoff has written. He has taken two very dramatic situations, more than 100 years apart, and used his characters to provide insights into the religion, the circumstances of the U.S. in the 1800s and recent times, and the role of women in the different centuries. Unlike some reviewers, I wasn't bothered by the back and forth between the time periods but found that this technique added depth and interest.

Several reviewers mentioned Jon Krakauer's UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN for a modern take on the "Firsts" = i.e., those Mormons who still believe in plural wives.  That was an excellent book but this one makes a great companion piece.

By serendipity, the book was published at almost the same time that the U.S. government raided the camp/cult of polygamists in Texas.  THE 19th WIFE clarifies alot of the issues raised in that raid - the lack of identities for the children, the "marriages" of minors, the paranoia of the residents of the settlement, the role of Warren Jeffs as "prophet" and even the style of dress and hair.

The book is long so be prepared to settle in but it is worth the time. An outstanding read!
4930199
It is one the best if not the best book on the truth behind The Latter Day Saints! I recommend it for anyone truly interested in what is behind the four walls of The Latter Day Saints!
1809060
Leonard Arrington was the official historian of the LDS church from 1972  to 1982, and the unofficial father of the "New Mormon History",  an intellectual movement devoted to the writing of faithful yet honest  versions of the Mormon past.  He was a down-to-earth, humorous farm boy who  became recognized as one of America's greatest historians.  His humble,  faithful, fun-loving, yet rigorous and candid spirit are alive in the pages  of these memoirs.  Arrington writes forthrightly about his deeply personal  spiritual experiences and his encounters with those who opposed any  "perestroika" in the writing of LDS history.  He remained  faithful right up to his death in 1999.  One of his favorite stories was of  the old Mormon Bishop Edwin Wooley, who once got in trouble with Brigham  Young.  Brigham told Wooley, "Now I suppose you will go off and  apostatize."  Woolley replied, "I might if this were your church,  but it's just as much mine as yours." Arrington and his associates  helped kindle the light of my faith when I was a kid, and for that I will  be eternally grateful.
3210161
This book is the best book I personally have read regarding LDS.  While many books on Mormonism go for hardcore debate, this book focuses more on showing them the love of Jesus, and how on our own we can never measure up to the ideal of perfection.  This is NOT to say it doesn't identify the faulty teachings of Mormonism, which it does quite well. But, it cautions not to use comparisons between the Bible and the Book of Mormon (and their other books) for the purpose of debate with LDS members.  This only serves to turn them off not only to their own teachings, but to the Bible as well.  Remembering that "people do not care what you know until they know that you care," seems to be a theme throughout this book.  This is truly the most compassionate, heartfelt book on Mormonism out there.  You can tell that the author, Mark Cares, really has a heart for people.
3413946
This is a great book. I love the author attitude of showing love and respect for Mormons. Mormons are not the enemy. I also love how the author backs up his claims with quotes from Mormon literature, so that they can't just be brushed off as being anti-Mormon. The book gives the reader an excellent insight into different aspect of Mormon beliefs and practices. I don't know of any better resources for reaching Mormons with the gospel. Warmly recommended.
3793901
I love this book! After hearing an excerpt of it on BYU Radio I went straight to Amazon to purchase it so I could read the whole book. It explains and reinforces many of the Church's values and does it through personal stories from President Kimball. I would  highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read about relationships between mother and child, husband and wife, Church member and bishop, and living gospel principals.
3171719
This out-of-print book is a collection of the speeches of the Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith, from the years 1839 to his assassination in 1844.  Smith  never used texts for his speeches so the best we have are reports from those who heard the speeches.  And this amazing work of scholarship gathers them all in one place.  And what amazing theological concepts are found- from how the world was created and why, and the origins of mankind and their future.

This book is expensive because it is so good and you can't get this information easily elsewhere.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) is gradually publishing everything they have that has anything to do with Joseph Smith.  But these volumes are dense and most of what is in this book is not available yet.

In the book are the several accounts of the famous "King Follett"  funeral speech.  King Follett was a friend of Joseph Smith.  At this funeral Joseph gave a theological oration that is so profound it is included in books such as the Library of America's American Sermons.  Teachings on the purpose of temples, the eternal family unit, the origins of God and fate of man are on every page.

Do whatever it takes, spend whatever it takes and get a copy of this fantastic book.  You may or may not accept Joseph Smith as a Prophet but you can't accuse him of superficial thought and theology after reading this amazing book.  5 stars.