An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith

Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1989. Second Edition. 518pp. Octavo [23 cm] Illustrated wrappers. Near fine. This is the first title published in the Signature Books 'Significant Mormon Diaries' series. Throughout these diaries significant events are recorded, such as the first ritualistic washings, perfumings, anointings, and washing of feet; early sealings and polygamous marriages (often recorded in shorthand); meetings of the Council of Fifty; and other important episodes in the history of the development of the Restoration church.

Published for the first time in their entirety, the personal diaries of Mormon founder Joseph Smith (1805-44) provide an unequaled view of this controversial American religious leader. Previous compilations of carefully selected and sometimes rewritten passages of Smith's diaries and journals do not capture the intensity of the present, unexpurgated edition.