American Crucifixion: The Murder of Joseph Smith and the Fate of the Mormon Church
Apr 2014 · Sold by PublicAffairs
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A gripping account of the mob killing of Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism
“American Crucifixion paints a brilliant picture of religious experimentation, public intolerance, and the making of a martyr.”—Chicago Tribune
On June 27, 1844, in the dusty frontier town of Carthage, Illinois, Joseph Smith and three of his associates waited anxiously in a jail cell. The dynamic founding prophet of Mormonism no longer had a congregation to preach to: Now the mob outside his window carried muskets and cartridge belts. All that stood between Smith and this murderous crowd was a thin wooden door.
In American Crucifixion, Alex Beam tells how Smith went from charismatic leader to public enemy: how his most seismic revelation—the doctrine of polygamy—created a rift among his people; how that schism turned to violence; and how, ultimately, Smith could not escape the consequences of his ambition and pride.
Mormonism is America’s largest and most enduring native religion, and the “martyrdom” of Joseph Smith is one of its transformational events. Smith’s brutal assassination propelled the Mormons to colonize the American West and claim their place in the mainstream of American history. American Crucifixion is a gripping story of scandal and violence, with deep roots in our national identity.
“American Crucifixion paints a brilliant picture of religious experimentation, public intolerance, and the making of a martyr.”—Chicago Tribune
On June 27, 1844, in the dusty frontier town of Carthage, Illinois, Joseph Smith and three of his associates waited anxiously in a jail cell. The dynamic founding prophet of Mormonism no longer had a congregation to preach to: Now the mob outside his window carried muskets and cartridge belts. All that stood between Smith and this murderous crowd was a thin wooden door.
In American Crucifixion, Alex Beam tells how Smith went from charismatic leader to public enemy: how his most seismic revelation—the doctrine of polygamy—created a rift among his people; how that schism turned to violence; and how, ultimately, Smith could not escape the consequences of his ambition and pride.
Mormonism is America’s largest and most enduring native religion, and the “martyrdom” of Joseph Smith is one of its transformational events. Smith’s brutal assassination propelled the Mormons to colonize the American West and claim their place in the mainstream of American history. American Crucifixion is a gripping story of scandal and violence, with deep roots in our national identity.
A gripping account of the mob killing of Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism
“American Crucifixion paints a brilliant picture of religious experimentation, public intolerance, and the making of a martyr.”—Chicago Tribune
On June 27, 1844, in the dusty frontier town of Carthage, Illinois, Joseph ...
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4 reviews
Scott Borrowman
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August 9, 2014
This is neither the hagiography that Mormons learn in Sunday School nor the polemic of an anti-Mormon; it is a well-written journalistic description of the complicated life and times of Joseph Smith Jr. It covers the political, including the concentration of power in the Mayor (Joseph) under the Nauvoo Charter (so much for separation of powers) to Joseph’s quixotic presidential campaign. It covers Joseph’s paranoid overreactions to criticism, including most notably the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor based on “public nuisance” for its single edition criticisms. (Personal note, I am descended from one of the people Joseph dispatched to burn the type). And polygamy, oh polygamy. Beam’s treatment of the obfuscations, lies, dynastic marriages (Eliza Snow and others being sealed to both Joseph and Brigham Young), and overall creepiness of it is lucid and well documented. The book also put the broader history in context, such as Joseph’s interactions with Stephen Douglas (of Lincoln-Douglas fame) and other frontier figures. The discussion of the aftermath, including the trial of Smith’s killers and Mormon migration, are excellent.
About the author
Alex Beam has served as a columnist for The Boston Globe and the International Herald Tribune. Two of his seven nonfiction books—Gracefully Insane and A Great Idea at the Time—were New York Times Notable Books of the Year. Beam has also written for The Atlantic, Slate, and many other publications. He lives in Newton, Massachusetts.
Alex Beam has served as a columnist for The Boston Globe and the International Herald Tribune. Two of his seven nonfiction books—Gracefully Insane and A Great Idea at the Time—were New York Times Notable Books of the Year. Beam has also written for The Atlantic, Slate, and many other publications...
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