Biographical Sketches of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and His Progenitors for Many Generations

Smith, Lucy

Published by Published by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Lamoni, IA, 1912

371pp. Duodecimo [19.5 cm] Burgunbdy cloth with the title gilt stamped on the backstrip. Near fine. In 1845, Lucy Smith, mother of Joseph Smith, dictated her memoirs to Martha Jane Coray who, in collaboration with her husband Howard, produced two finished manuscript drafts. One was given to Brigham Young and was brought to Utah. The other was left with Lucy Smith. Seven years later, in the course of his trip to Washington, Orson Pratt purchased the second manuscript from Almon W. Babbitt, who had obtained it from Isaac Sheen, a former associate of William Smith, Lucy's youngest son. Without Brigham Young's authorization, Orson Pratt sent this manuscript to Liverpool for publication. S.W. Richards had the book in press in July 1853; by the end of October it was advertised for sale. The European Mission publication accounts suggest that almost 9,000 were printed, about 6,000 were left unbound in sheets. In spite of this large edition, Pratt wrote to Lucy Smith on October 28 asking to publish an American edition. Brigham Young, however objected to Biographical Sketches on the grounds that it contained too many significant errors; and a large part of the edition, probably what was left in sheets, was ultimately destroyed. It seems clear that equally irritating to Brigham Young was Lucy Smith's favorable treatment of William Smith who had become an outspoken opponent of the Utah Church. Despite a small number of minor errors, Lucy Smith's history - the first Mormon Biography - remains an invaluable source for the life of Joseph Smith. Flake/Draper 8083. Seller Inventory # 9533

Bibliographic Details

Title: Biographical Sketches of the Prophet Joseph ...
Publisher: Published by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Lamoni, IA
Publication Date: 1912
Binding: Hardcover
Edition: First Edition.