Essentials in Church History by Joseph Fielding Smith

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Essentials in Church History by Joseph Fielding Smith

(2 User reviews) 383

By Sandra Smirnov Posted on Mar 30, 2026

In Category - Ethical Reflections

Authors: Smith, Joseph Fielding, 1876-1972 Published By : Smith, Joseph Fielding, 1876-1972

Book Language: English

Hey, I just finished this book that feels like sitting down with your grandfather to hear the family story—if your grandfather was a former president of a major religious organization and your family history was the founding of a global faith. 'Essentials in Church History' isn't your typical history book. It's a personal, insider's account of the origins and early struggles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, written by someone who was both a top leader and a direct descendant of its founder. The main conflict here isn't a mystery—it's survival. How did a small group of believers, facing intense persecution, mob violence, and forced migration across the American frontier, manage to not only survive but grow? Smith tells this story with a clear conviction that this survival was guided by divine purpose. It reads like a foundational epic, full of pivotal moments, key revelations, and the sheer grit of early members. If you've ever been curious about the roots of Mormonism from the perspective of someone who helped shape its 20th-century identity, this is a fascinating and essential starting point. It’s less about neutral analysis and more about faithful narrative—a story of a people, told by one of their own.

File: Essentials in Church History by Joseph Fielding Smith

Joseph Fielding Smith's Essentials in Church History is exactly what the title promises: a foundational look at the first century of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But calling it a simple textbook would be a huge mistake. This is history told from the heart of the tradition.

The Story

The book starts with the early 1800s and Joseph Smith's First Vision. It walks you through the translation of the Book of Mormon, the formal organization of the Church in 1830, and then the long, difficult journey of its members. You follow them from New York to Ohio, then to Missouri and Illinois, where founder Joseph Smith was killed. The story doesn't end there. It details the monumental exodus to Utah under Brigham Young's leadership, the struggle to build a society in the desert, and the challenges of integrating into the broader United States. Smith presents this not as a series of random events, but as a coherent, purposeful story of a faith community being tested and led.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book stand out is the voice. Joseph Fielding Smith wasn't just a historian; he was an apostle and later the church's president, and the great-nephew of Joseph Smith. You're getting the official, faithful narrative straight from a primary source. His perspective is unwavering. He writes with certainty about divine guidance and the truth of the events. This isn't a critical, outsider's analysis—it's the family story, told for believers and curious outsiders alike. Reading it, you understand how members of the Church view their own origins. The prose is straightforward and clear, making complex historical periods easy to follow.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for two kinds of readers. First, for members of the LDS Church looking to understand their heritage in a clear, authoritative format. Second, for anyone outside the faith who wants a sincere, inside look at how the Church tells its own story. If you want a critical historical debate, you'll need to look elsewhere. But if you want to understand the bedrock narrative—the 'essentials' as believed by millions—this is the book. It's a compelling read that feels both educational and personal, like a long conversation with a knowledgeable guide.