I expected this book to compare and contrast the many roles that Joseph Smith played in his life, such as in business or politics, as father, neighbor, victim, publisher, visionary, reformer, churchman, etc. Some of these were mentioned only in passing. Instead, this book mostly examined Joseph's role as prophet, through an anthology of essays.

Although Davis Bitton is a serious historian, this work felt like more of a devotional exploration. It was like Bitton was cataloging and responding to old references to Joseph Smith's prophethood that Bitton had encountered during Bitton's long career, to answer why he cared or didn't care for their comments. He gave respect for people using words of faith. He was skeptical of intellectuals trying to apply their theories to Joseph. He often wrote openly from his perspective as a believer. This wasn't like a history book.

The strangest chapter was where Bitton walked through the prophecies from the Book of Mormon about a great future prophet, which we understand to be Joseph Smith. So, that chapter was about the perspective of the Book of Mormon toward the prophethood of Joseph Smith. Bitton wondered how Smith felt when taking down these revelations about himself. It might reveal some of how Joseph saw his own prophethood.

Quite a bit was written about Joseph's death. Enemies vilified him and then gravely reacted to his death. Sympathizers regretted the blood and violence. In two chapters the Saints mourned the martyrdom in personal writings and poetry. Believers heroized him in eternal glory and authority.

The best chapter (and longest?) was the last one about how scholars have argued over Joseph Smith. The scholars debate and hold up their evidence and logic, which of course can be countered by other evidence and logic. Bitton doesn't align with thinkers who neither accept or reject Smith and instead seek a middle way. But he is well versed in the literature and gave a good survey, especially on the psychological treatments of Smith. Bitton touched on the philosophy of faith, and ended with a lengthy bibliography.

It was not a clumsy or difficult read, even though the book wasn't driven by narrative. It didn't challenge my assumptions very much or reveal new insights or discoveries. This was a survey of the writings about Joseph Smith as a prophet, friendly for believers, and actually quite revealing about the faith and interests of Bitton himself. ( )