Author Description

Meet the people who knew the Prophet Joseph Smith best. This intimate history quilts together the work of nine historians to take us inside Mormonism's first family. Blending meticulous research with compassionate insight, the authors present unforgettable portraits of each member of an outwardly ordinary family -- the family that helped mold an extraordinary man of God. This is a story not only of triumph against all odds, but also a tender and moving tale of a family that, despite its flaws, remained intensely true to one of its own. The Smith family was the one constant amidst the turbulence of opposition that occurred throughout Joseph's life. They were with him from the beginning of his spiritual experiences to his martyrdom, with every living family member following him to Ohio, Missouri, and then to Illinois -- a testiment to their belief in his prophetic calling. United by Faith: The Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family offers compelling insight into this most significant family and casts penetrating new light as to why they were uniquely qualified to raise the Prophet of the Restoration.