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The Life of Joseph Smith, the Prophet — Text and Context

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In Category - Biographies

Authors: Cannon, George Q. (George Quayle), 1827-1901 Digital Source: Project Gutenberg Gutenberg Release Year: 2019 First Publication Year: Not confirmed

Key Word: Latter Day Saints -- Biography; Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints -- Presidents -- Biography; Latter Day Saint churches -- Presidents -- Biography Target Reader: Readers of public-domain and historical texts

Book Edition: Project Gutenberg digital edition Book Language: en

Edition facts

Words 185,466

Reading time 807 min

Text sections 16

For The Life of Joseph Smith, the Prophet — Text and Context, the stored edition analysis reports 185,466 words, 13 hr 27 min estimated reading time, and 16 detected text sections.

The text analysis averages about 26.8 words per sentence, while the detected sections provide another way to judge how the source is divided.

Project Gutenberg metadata also associates the work with “Latter Day Saints -- Biography,” connecting these edition facts with the source record’s subject description.

Source: Project Gutenberg record #59970

George Q. Cannon's 1888 biography of Joseph Smith, written from a Latter-day Saint perspective, traces Smith's life from his New England ancestry through the Restoration, Nauvoo period, and martyrdom. The author, a Church leader, composed parts while imprisoned, lending a personal, devotional tone. Excerpts reveal a narrative that blends scriptural language, detailed persecution accounts, and an emphasis on Smith's prophetic calling.

Editorial Edition Score 4.8/5

★★★★★ ★★★★★

Calculated from edition completeness, EPUB availability, text structure and catalogue metadata. Not a user rating.

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Description quality20 pts
Title & short description10 pts
Source metadata20 pts
Text length15 pts
Chapters / structure15 pts
EPUB file integrity20 pts

Total of 100 points, scaled to a 2.5-5.0 range. Editions with an empty description or a missing EPUB file are not scored.

Edition quality

File: pg59970

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Joseph's Humble Extraction--The Godliness and Fair Fame of His Ancestry--A Premonition of His Work

Birth of Joseph--Family Circumstances--Toil and Poverty--Removal to New York--Intense Religious Excitement

Light from the Scriptures--The Prayer and its Answer--"This is my Beloved Son: Hear Him"--Persecution and Scoffing of the Multitude--Joseph Doubts Himself and Supplicates for Renewed Help

The Angel Moroni Visits Joseph Thrice in One Night--A Record to be brought forth--vision of Cumorah

A Mid-day Visitation--Joseph Confides in His Earthly Father--Cumorah and the Sacred Box--A New Probation is Fixed--Successive Visits and Ministrations of the Angel--Joseph's Growth in Godliness

Joseph's Willing Toil--Four Years of Waiting--He Finds Work in Pennsylvania--His Marriage with Emma Hale--The Probation Completed

Final Visit to Cumorah--Delivery of the Plates by the Angel Moroni--Solemn Caution to Joseph--Attacks by Assassins and Robbers--Poverty and Persecution--Help from Martin Harris--Removal to Pennsylvania

Joseph Copies and Translates from the Plates--Martin Harris Again Comes Opportunely--Professor Anthon and the Characters--Martin's Labors as a Scribe--His Broken Trust--The Translation Lost to Joseph--The Prophet Punished for Willfulness

Oliver Cowdery is Sent of Heaven to Aid the Prophet--The Aaronic Priesthood is Brought to Earth by Christ's Forerunner--First Baptism of This Dispensation

The Prophet's Brother Samuel Baptized by Oliver--Renewed Danger to the Work--Help From Fayette--Miraculous Interposition to Aid David Whitmer--Hyrum Smith and Others Believe and are Baptized

Eleven Chosen Witnesses View the Plates--Their Unimpeachable Testimony --Restoration of the Melchisedec Priesthood by Disciples of our Lord--The Apostleship Conferred--Other Baptisms--The Translation Completed

Organization of the Church at Fayette--Review of the Prophet's Labors--His Unpretentious Character--The Courage which Animated Him was shared by his Associates--The Witnesses and Early Members of the Church

The All-Comprehending Character of Joseph's Inspiration--First Public Meeting of the Church after Organization--Believers Asking Baptism--Mobs seeking the Life or the Liberty of the Prophet--Twice Arrested and Acquitted--Joseph's Lawyer Hears a Mysterious Voice--Copying the Revelations

Dissensions Within the Fold--Oliver Cowdery and Hiram Page Lead the Whitmer's Astray--Mobs at Colesville and Persecution at Harmony--Isaac Hale and his Family Oppose Joseph--The Prophet Removes to Fayette--Prophetic Outline of the Gathering

The Second Conference of the Church--Harmony and Love Among the Elders--Accessions to the Congregation--the Mission to the Lamanites--Individual Revelations--God's Chosen Servants in Missouri

Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge Join the Church--Joseph Commences the Translation of the Scriptures--Saints Commanded to Gather at Ohio--Joseph Migrates from New York--The Kirtland Saints Fall into Error--God's Power Manifested--Important Revelations

Fourth General Conference--God Designates Missouri as the Place of Holding the Next Conference--Transgression of the Thompson Branch--Joseph Goes to the Place of the New Jerusalem

On the Borders of the Wilderness--Laying the First Log--Dedication and Consecration of the Land of Zion and the Temple Site--Back to Civilization--Sign Seeking and Violence

A Methodist Priest Converted by a Miracle--Wants Power to Smite--The Prophet at Hiram Engaged in Translating--Order for Publication of the "Evening and Morning Star"--Man-made Commandments

A Night of Fury--The Murderous Mob at Hiram--Joseph Dragged from his Bed, and is Stripped, Bruised and Almost Slain by a Profane and Drunken Crowd Led by Apostates and Sectarian Ministers

Departure of the Prophet from Hiram for the Consecrated Land in Missouri--Accepted as the President of the High Priesthood--Returning from Zion, an attempt is made to Poison Him--Saved Under Bishop Whitney's Administration

Brigham Young Receives the Gospel--His Memorable Meeting with the Prophet--His Constant devotion--"That Man will yet Preside over the Church"--A Revelation on Priesthood--Joseph Visits the Eastern States--His Numerous Labors--Prophecy Concerning the Civil War--Its Subsequent Fulfillment

Organization of the School of the Prophets--The Translation of the Scriptures--The Word of Wisdom Revealed--Joseph Selects Counselors--The Savior and Angels Appear after the Ordination--Lands Purchased in and around Kirtland

Threats of a Mob of Three Hundred at Independence--Purity Required of Church Members--Excommunication of Dr. P. Hurlbert--His Threats Against the Prophet--Pixley Joins the Mob--His Malicious Falsehoods--Meeting of a Base Element--Wicked Determinations--Destruction of the Saints' Printing Establishment--W. W. Phelps Driven from Home--Bishop Partridge and Elder Allen Tarred and Feathered--"You Must Leave the Country"--Another Meeting of the Enemy--The Saints Agree to Leave Jackson County

The Corner Stone of the Kirtland Temple Laid--A Printing Establishment Opened--The Prophet's Mission to Canada--A Minister's Opposition--Baptisms--Persecutions at Kirtland--Wilford Woodruff Receives the Gospel

The Jackson County Persecutions--Appeal to Governor Dunklin--His Timid Reply--Heartless Drivings--A Brutal Murder--Boggs Allows the Mob to Organize as a Militia--Pitcher Placed in Command--Certain Men Taken in Custody by the Mob--Settlement in Clay County--Court of Inquiry

Hurlbert's Efforts to Destroy Joseph--High Councils Organized--The Camp of Zion--A Hard Journey--Rattlesnakes in Camp--The Prophet's Philosophy--Elder Humphrey's Experience

Vain Appeal of the Jackson County Saints for Protection--The Approach of Zion's Camp--Attempts to Raise an Opposing Army--James Campbell's Prophecy and its Fulfillment--A Providential Storm--Remarkable Rise of Fishing River--Joseph States the Object of Zion's Camp--A Comforting Revelation

The Scourge of Zion's Camp--Joseph and Hyrum Attacked by Cholera--Their Deliverance--The Camp Disbanded--Threats Against the Prophet--His Fearlessness--Joseph Returns to Kirtland--Sylvester Smith's Charge of Impurity--The Prophet Vindicated--Visit to Michigan--The Law of Tithing

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George Q. Cannon’s The Life of Joseph Smith, the Prophet opens with a preface dated October 1, 1888, written from the Utah Penitentiary. Cannon, a Latter-day Saint leader imprisoned for his faith, frames the biography as a “loving duty” and a comfort amid persecution. The preface immediately establishes a dual audience: the Saints, who may find joy in the narrative, and the world, which Cannon hopes will judge Smith more fairly. The author’s imprisonment invests the work with a personal stake, as he notes that the closing chapters were “finished in prison for adherence to the principles which they taught.” This context shapes the biography’s tone—devotional, defensive, and urgent—rather than neutral or academic.

A Narrative Forged in Adversity

Cannon’s preface and the early chapters reveal a biography written under constraint. The author acknowledges that “the circumstances which surrounded its preparation were not favorable to the collection and arrangement of materials,” yet he asserts the work is “truthful and just.” This tension between imperfection and conviction runs through the text. The opening chapters trace Joseph Smith’s lineage and early life, emphasizing his “humble extraction” and the “godliness and fair fame” of his ancestry. Cannon uses scriptural cadences, describing Smith’s first vision with the phrase “This is my Beloved Son: Hear Him,” and frames the angel Moroni’s visits as a series of “successive visits and ministrations.” The narrative voice is reverent, often employing elevated diction that aligns Smith’s story with biblical prophecy.

Persecution as a Structural Motif

Throughout the excerpts, persecution is not merely a theme but a structural device. Chapter 42 details the Prophet’s imprisonment in Liberty Jail, where he and his companions were “loaded with chains” and “poisoned.” Cannon reports that “human flesh was served to them as meat,” which the guards called “Mormon beef,” and that Smith warned his companions not to touch it. Such graphic details recur, reinforcing a narrative of innocence besieged. The legal system is depicted as corrupt: a “drunken jury” and judges “hardened” against the Saints. Cannon’s language—calling the examination a “farce”—leaves no doubt about his perspective. This pattern of oppression and divine endurance gives the biography a hagiographic quality, where suffering validates Smith’s prophetic role.

The Author’s Imprisonment and the Text’s Authority

Cannon’s own incarceration lends the biography a unique authority. He writes that sending the work away is “like being torn from a beloved companion,” a metaphor that personalizes the narrative. The preface’s location—“Utah Penitentiary, October 1, 1888”—is a paratextual detail that colors every page. Cannon’s imprisonment mirrors Smith’s, creating a parallel between author and subject. This is not a dispassionate history but a testimony from one who shares the Prophet’s fate. The biography thus functions as both a record and a defense, with Cannon’s voice occasionally breaking through to address the reader directly, as when he hopes the example and teachings of Joseph may be “of eternal benefit to all who read this Life.”

Language of the Restoration: Scripture and Testimony

Cannon’s prose is steeped in the language of Latter-day Saint scripture and testimony. He refers to Smith as “the Prophet of the last Dispensation” and describes the angel Moroni’s visits with phrases like “vision of Cumorah” and “the sacred box.” The narrative frequently shifts into a homiletic register, as when Cannon writes that “beyond and above this sphere was the star of eternal faith, whose light no prison walls could shut out from trusting souls.” Such passages blend historical report with devotional reflection. The biography also incorporates documents and letters, but the excerpts show Cannon’s own voice dominating, often using parallel structure and biblical allusions. This stylistic choice reinforces the work’s purpose: to edify believers and persuade skeptics through a narrative that is as much sermon as history.

Readers approaching Cannon’s biography should attend to its dual nature: it is both a historical account and a personal testimony, written by a man who shared his subject’s faith and suffering. The preface’s prison setting and the author’s explicit hope to benefit readers provide a lens through which to interpret the work’s emphases. Rather than expecting a neutral chronicle, one encounters a narrative that uses persecution, scriptural language, and direct address to build a case for Joseph Smith’s prophetic calling. The excerpts offer a concentrated view of Cannon’s method: weaving together detail, doctrine, and devotion.

I finished that old biography of Joseph Smith and found myself thinking about how faith shapes the telling of a life—how devotion lingers in every page. It reminded me of another book I loved, Lives of the electricians — Context and Discussion, for how quietly it honors its subjects’ inner worlds. Both left that tender ache with me, like a prayer held too long.

Gabriel Gonzalez

1 month ago

5 out of 5 (1 User reviews )

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Robert Bradley - 1 month ago

This biography provides a thorough chronology of Smith’s life but occasionally reads like a hagiography. It’s factually rich, yet the interpretive analysis is limited. For a well-rounded understanding, readers would need to cross-reference with critical works. Still, a useful introduction.

Lisa Tara Turner - 2 weeks ago

A compelling biography that delves into the life of Joseph Smith with depth and sensitivity. The author presents a nuanced portrait, balancing spiritual insights with historical details. It’s a valuable read for both believers and skeptics, offering a comprehensive view of the prophet’s life and the founding of Mormonism.

Darren Mcneil - 2 weeks ago

The book suffers from a clear bias, presenting Smith as a pure prophet and dismissing opposing views. Critical events are glossed over, and the historical context is oversimplified. It lacks scholarly rigor and feels like an apology. Those seeking an objective account should look elsewhere.