The Council of Fifty

Book

Community of Christ Library

Name/Title

The Council of Fifty

Description

Three months before his death, Joseph Smith established the Council of Fifty, a confidential group that he believed would protect the Latter-day Saints in their political rights and one day serve as the government of the kingdom of God. The Council of Fifty operated under the leadership of Joseph Smith and then Brigham Young, playing a key role in Joseph Smith's presidential campaign and in preparing for the Mormon exodus to the West. The council's minutes had never been available until they were published by the Joseph Smith Papers in September 2016, meaning that the council has been the subject of intense speculation for 170 years. In this book of short essays, fifteen leading Mormon scholars explore how the newly available minutes alter and enhance our understanding of Mormon history. The scholars narrate and analyze the contributions of the records of the council to key questions, such as Joseph Smith's views of earthly and heavenly governments; the presidential campaign; Mormon relationships with American Indians; explorations of possible settlements sites, such as Texas and California; the "lost teachings" of Latter-day Saint leaders of that era; and the leadership style of Brigham Young. This collection includes 15 essays.

Book Details

Editor

Grow, Matthew J.,editor., Smith, R. Eric

Place Published

City

[Provo, UT.]

Date Published

2017

Publication Subjects

Council of Fifty (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) -- History -- Sources. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- History -- 19th century. Mormon Church -- History -- 19th century. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Council of Fifty (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) History -- Sources. Mormon Church.

Call No.

BX8611 .C6654 2017

ISBN

9781944394219 1944394214

Notes

xvi, 201 pages : illustrations, map ; 24 cm