Joseph Smith, Prophet and the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, continues to be the subject of adulation by many, but he is the object of derision by some Mormon critics.
C. Paul Smith, an experienced trial attorney and strong defender of Joseph Smith, highlights six historical and doctrinal issues pertaining to the prophet that remain the subject of debate: plural marriage; the succession of leadership following his death; the stories of three splinter churches that broke off from the church founded by Joseph Smith; the Book of Abraham; blacks and the priesthood; and six alleged false prophecies made by Joseph Smith.
The chapters on plural marriage give a concise history of key events of its introduction as a part of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The chapter on the Book of Abraham scrutinizes and exposes the fatal flaws in the arguments made by some Egyptologists that Joseph Smith's translation of the Book of Abraham is a fabrication. The chapter on blacks and the priesthood analyzes race relations in the 20th century, and it reviews some lesser known statements by Joseph Smith. The chapter on three LDS splinter churches provides important historical insights about three organizations that broke away from the Church in 1844, 1852-60 and 1863.
With debate still swirling around Joseph Smith, it is more important than ever to understand the truth about him in order to appreciate the quality of who he was and the great importance of his work.