Book Reviews
by Robert J. Matthews
Larry E. Dahl and Donald Q. Cannon, eds., Encyclopedia of Joseph Smith’s Teachings. Deseret Book, 2000. 771 pages. $29.95. (ISBN 1-57008-672-9)
Beyond all contradiction, BYU professors Dahl and Cannon have given us the most comprehensive and usable compilation of the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith ever assembled. Formerly titled, The Teachings of Joseph Smith, (Bookcraft 1997), it is truly of encyclopedia character and is now properly titled as such.
True Latter-day Saints have always treasured the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and have desired to get as much of his teachings as possible. President Brigham Young said that he was never so busy but what he could stop his work and listen to the Prophet Joseph. He also said that the Prophet Joseph could teach the gospel better than anyone else, and make heavenly things understandable to men on the earth (JD 4:54; 5:332; 8:206).
Throughout this dispensation many have collected portions of the teachings of Joseph Smith and published them for the benefit of the saints. The extent to which this has been done demonstrates the huge interest that has persisted. To illustrate this effort, and show the comparative completeness and worth of the Dahl, Cannon work compared to earlier attempts, consider the following:
In 1857, Elder Franklin D. Richards compiled a pocket-sized Compendium of the gospel (Liverpool, 243 pages). This compilation had a section titled, “Gems from the History of Joseph Smith.” The Compendium went through at least nine editions, revisions and enlargements, Elder Richards being assisted by Elder James A. Little. Each edition had varying amounts of Joseph Smith’s teachings, but the last edition, 1925, contained 24 pages of Joseph Smith’s “Gems,” much of which was from manuscript sources. The topics were arranged alphabetically by subject matter; the short individual entries were presented chronologically, all of this on small pocket-sized pages.
In 1902 the manuscript history of the Church began to be published as The History of the Church, eventually reaching seven volumes (long known as the Documentary History of the Church), presenting a large amount of the Prophet Joseph’s teachings.
In 1912 Elder Edwin F. Parry published the pocket-sized Joseph Smith’s Teachings (Deseret News Press, 192 pages) “from the authorized History of the Church” presenting short excerpts under at least 167 alphabetically arranged doctrinal headings.
In 1938 Elder Joseph Fielding Smith of the Quorum of the Twelve, and Church Historian, compiled Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (Deseret Book, 395 pages, 6″ x 9″), with long excerpts from the Prophet’s sermons and writings, arranged chronologically with general subject-matter headings. An advantage of the longer excerpts is that the style and personality of the Prophet Joseph are preserved as well as the context of the doctrinal statements. This publication has been well received in the Church, is an excellent source of doctrinal information, and has gone through many printings. [An edition of this work, noting scriptural allusions and word patterns as used by Joseph Smith in his discourse, was compiled in 1993 by Richard C. Galbraith, and is titled, Scriptural Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (Deseret Book, 539 pages). Its value is to illustrate the strong orientation of Joseph Smith in the scriptures, and that the Prophet expressed himself in the language of holy writ.]
In 1956 Dr. Alma P. Burton compiled the Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith (Deseret Book, 228 pages), arranged by general subject matter in 22 chapters, using usually brief excerpts, but not chronologically nor alphabetically. This work was subsequently enlarged to 28 chapters and 274 pages (Deseret Book, 1965), benefitted by much additional text and a more detailed table of contents and more thorough index. This enlarged edition has been especially useful as a source for students.
In 1980 Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook compiled The Words of Joseph Smith (BYU Religious Studies Center, 447 pages) presenting many excerpts from sermons and comments by Joseph Smith during the Nauvoo years (1839-44) as reported by early brethren. These “original” and unedited comments offer many interesting varieties of words. A very useful source.
In 1984 Dean C. Jessee of the Church Historical Department compiled The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith (Deseret Book, 736 pages), and The Papers of Joseph Smith (Deseret Book, vol, 1, 1989, 557 pages; vol. 2, 1992, 642 pages). These three tomes have been well received by scholars and present much Joseph Smith material hitherto unavailable to most readers.
In 1985 Professor Truman G. Madsen compiled and edited a Concordance of the Doctrinal Statements of Joseph Smith (I.E.S. Publishing, Salt Lake City), containing 455 pages, 8″ x 11″, of double columned, single spaced, small print references presenting a wealth of detailed information arranged in alphabetical subject topics–an exceptionally useful instrument for researchers.
And in 1994 Professor Kent P. Jackson compiled and edited Joseph Smith’s Commentary on the Bible (Deseret Book, 237 pages), a revealing collection of valuable study aids although on a limited subject.
The foregoing discussion certifies to the keen and sustained interest that has stimulated many authors to publish the teachings and counsel of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and I may have overlooked several. These publications have all been successful because there is a thirst to know what Joseph Smith taught. Every one of these publications has merit, but in different dimensions and scope. A problem with some of the early collections was that they were not well documented as to sources. The Encyclopedia of Joseph Smith’s Teachings has all the benefits of both chronology, alphabetical listings, and context, and is the most comprehensive and thoroughly researched presentation of the teachings of the Prophet ever published. It is the magnus opus on the subject and the compilers give much credit to the many who have pioneered collections of the Prophet’s teachings. By my count the Encyclopedia has 438 main subject alphabetical titles, and each has a varying number of entries arranged chronologically. The topic “Revelation” has the most–49 entries. A 37 page detailed index adds significantly to the usefulness of the book. The Introduction (pages v – ix) provides informative and interesting background material which the authors learned during their research. Everyone interested in the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith will want a copy of this valuable resource. (RJM)
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