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Title: Insider's View of Mormon Origins by Grant H. Palmer, Grant Palmer ISBN: 1-56085-157-0 Publisher: Signature Books Pub. Date: 01 October, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.33 (15 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Grant H. Palmer's "Inside View" is honest and sensitive
Comment: Having just finished reading "An Insider's View of Mormon Origins" by Grant H. Palmer, all I can say is, Wow! This is an incredible book. One I, and many other hopeful Mormons, have been waiting a long time for. Palmer is a 34 year veteran of the Church Educational System and is a practicing member of the Mormon church. This is no expose' but he admittedly deals openly and frankly with his topic. "I feel good that I do not cloak the issues in ambiguities...qualifiers and disclaimers", he writes. He is obviously concerned about the way the church is presenting its history. The book is basically an attempt, and a call, to be honest and open with this history.
"An Insider's View..." is a survey of the last thirty+ years of research done by Mormon scholars. All the big hitters are referenced: Anderson, Quinn, Jesse, Hill, Van Wagoner, Allen, Murphy, Vogel, Anderson, Bushman, (I could go on). The book is very readable, unlike some previous (informative, but overwhelming) works on Mormonism. This book could (and perhaps should) be the lesson manual for the "real" church history course in Sunday School, Seminary and Institute.
I've encountered bit's and pieces of the information presented in Palmers book in various publications and documents, but Palmer brings it all together in a single book and presents additional new information to tie things together in an understandable and interesting way. To quote Palmer, this history, "rings true".
This is the first book on Mormon history that I've felt I could give to fellow Mormon family or friends (or leave laying around the house for that matter) to help them understand what went on during the founding years of the church. Many from outside the church have attempted such a book but "An Insiders View..." is better because being a life long and presently committed member, Palmer genuinely appears to be trying to help the church be better, not hurt it.
Although the material presented in the book will be tough for members to come to grips with, the tone is open and inviting. Palmer cautiously invites readers to explore the history with him, so this in not an "in your face" anti-Mormon book. In an attempt to help members feel OK about exploring church history, Palmer appropriately quotes former First Presidency member, J. Reuben Clark: "If we have the truth, [it] cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed."
The book focuses mainly on the founding events of the church: The Book of Mormon, Book of Mormon Witnesses, Priesthood Restoration and the First Vision. Palmer devotes 5 of the 8 chapters to the Book of Mormon, and then a chapter to each of the other subjects. He gets right to heart of each topic, explaining the issue and the problems, all backed up by credible scholarship. There are copious references for those who feel the need to explore further. Apologist arguments and traditional accounts are considered and explored.
Most of the issues that the church hierarchy and membership needs to come to grips with is here: Joseph Smith's well documented treasure hunting, Bible-Book of Mormon parallels, 19th century Book of Mormon Parallels, Book of Mormon and DNA evidence, sources inspiration for the Book of Mormon, Book of Abraham translation and source issues, the Kinderhook plates incident, View of the Hebrews and B.H. Roberts, Book of Mormon Witness credibility and evolving First Vision accounts.
One wonders how the church leadership will accept Palmers efforts presented in "An Insiders View...". The church has not dealt kindly in the past with those who have tried to bring to light uncomfortable, yet accurate, information about the church's origin. Again, Palmer appeals to former church leadership (Hugh B. Brown) in hopes of finding approval: "Only error fears freedom of expression...Neither fear of consequence or any kind of coercion should ever be used to secure uniformity of thought in the church. People should...be unafraid to think without fear of ill consequences". This book will be a good test of the church's maturity in dealing with these issues.
Rating: 5
Summary: Great book for the right audience.
Comment: In his introduction, Grant Palmer states that this book is not written for children or recent converts. He feels the best audience for his book is someone who has spent time within the church and can appreciate his "Insider's View".
The so-called "New Mormon History" is not a subject that most church members could easily jump into without a larger degree of background reading. Palmer's book serves as an accessible bridge for those members who want to appreciate the truth of their religion without being subjected to an author's agenda.
I felt the initial chapters of the book were the strongest. These include a great overview of Joseph Smith as a translator, the Book of Mormon authorship, and Evangelical Protestantism as it existed in 19th century America.
Rating: 5
Summary: Awesome Book!!
Comment: Finally, LDS Church history being told the way any history should be told... telling the total and honest truth! Instead of being 'watered down' or changed like it has been since the Church started. I like how Mr. Palmer backed up Church history with LDS Sources to show he was using 'true facts'. I don't know if I agree with some of his speculations about differant things, but all in all this was an excellent book to read about the 'true' history of the LDS Church!
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Title: The Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship by David John Buerger ISBN: 1560851767 Publisher: Signature Books Pub. Date: 01 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
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Title: Early Mormonism and the Magic World View by D. Michael Quinn ISBN: 1560850892 Publisher: Signature Books Pub. Date: 01 December, 1998 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: By His Own Hand Upon Papyrus: A New Look at the Joseph Smith Papyri by Charles M. Larson ISBN: 0962096326 Publisher: Inst for Religious Research Pub. Date: 01 March, 1992 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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Title: In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith by Todd Compton ISBN: 156085085X Publisher: Signature Books Pub. Date: 01 December, 1997 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
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Title: No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith : The Mormon Prophet by Fawn McKay Brodie, Peter Dimock, Fawn M. Brodie ISBN: 0679730540 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 August, 1995 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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