Family and Mormon Church Roots: Colonial Period to 1820 (The Quest for the New Jerusalem: A Mormon Generational Saga, Vol. 1) Rating :
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Historical background of the founding of Mormonism
By Rocky
In this, the first volume of a proposed multi-volume saga, explores the events that shaped the attitudes of the founder of the Mormon church. Professor Hammond intertwines the history of his own family with the history of Joseph Smith,Jr's family from their arrivals in New England through the early years of the prophet of Mormon's life. The two families share a remarkable proximity - in location and experience - throughout the period and some of Hammond's ancestors became active in the early Mormon Church. Especially important were the colonists contact with Native Americans, both friendly and violent. King Phillip's War did much to shape those attitudes and Professor Hammond covers this war extensively. Economic issues, slavery and magical beliefs figure into the story and these are seamlessly connected into a convincing argument that begs the reader to re-evaluate Joseph Smith's claims. Hammond explains that he began the research as a way of explaining to his own family his disbelief in Mormonism (the church he was raised in and for which he served as a missionary). He make this story of family, history and religion a story we can all relate to while challenging us to take a new look at the relationships between those threads. This is a must read for serious scholars of Mormonism as well as of the social history of Colonial America. I look forward to reading the forthcoming volumes.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #2531644 in Books
- Published on: 2011-07-27
- Original language:English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 9.02" h x5.98" w x1.04" l,1.53 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 478 pages
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