Description

"Foremost among Hill's concerns is the spiritual drama that defined Smith's controversial life, as well as his theologically motivated sexuality and the apocalyptic assumptions that fueled his political and military activism. Her intent is not to validate Smith's actions, only to understand them. Equal attention is given to the environmental influences that shaped Smith's 1830s New York upbringing." (from back cover)

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
List of Illustrations
Chronology
Author's Note
Prologue: Burial of a Martyr

Part One: New England

1. Joseph Smith's Ancestors
2. Early Life of Joseph's Parents

Part Two: New York

1. Joseph's First Vision
2. Visitation of Moroni
3. Courtship, Money-Digging, Marriage
4. The Gold Plates
5. Joseph Translates
6. The Manuscript Published
7. The Book of Mormon
8. The Early Church
9. Conversion of Sidney Rigdon

Part Three: Ohio

1. The Church in Two Main Settlements
2. Tar and Feathers
3. Progress and Peril in Kirtland
4. Conflict in Zion
5. The Saints Recruited
6. Disaster in Zion's Camp
7. Life in Kirtland
8. Progress in Kirtland; Problems in Clay
9. The Anti-Banking Company

Part Four: Missouri

1. More Trouble in Missouri
2. The Fall of Far West
3. In Jail at Liberty

Part Five: Illinois

1. A New Start in Illinois
2. The Rise of Nauvoo
3. Nauvoo Flourishes
4. The Friend Turned Enemy
5. The Prophet in Hiding
6. Two Affairs in Springfield
7. The Prophet Kidnapped
8. The Roots of Celestial Marriage
9. The Early Polygamists
10. The Kingdom of God on Earth
11. Candidate for President
12. Blacks in the Early Church
13. Dissent in Nauvoo
14. The Prophet Surrenders
15. Martyrdom
16. The Successor Chosen, the Accused Assassins Tried

Epilogue: Aftermath
Appendix: Joseph Smith's Contemporaries