The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power (Mormon Hierarchy)

Rating:
Summary: Allows One to See the "Big Picture"
Review: After reading several of the negative reviews here, I felt it necessary to add my opinion of the book. Clearly, devoted members of the LDS Church would not give a positive review of this work. They have something to protect, which is an unrealistic perception that "God's One and Only True Church" is led by the Lord himself and that the leaders operate the Church in complete harmony and inspiration.

In fact, from what I feel is plain common sense, we can understand that these are men of varying views trying to lead a huge organization. There are going to be skeletons in the closet. Of course, the Church would be foolish to publicize these skeletons for the world to see. I don't think any reasonable person would expect an organization to do that. Enter Michael Quinn who was up to the task.

I think that Michael Quinn has completed a significant work by using years of insider research to show the good, bad and ugly of the behind-the-scenes activities in the Church leadership circles. It thus allows you to see the "big picture" of the history of Church leadership. Is Quinn out to win apostate converts? Certainly not. Even a brief read of his preface shows that he does not have an "axe to grind" with the Church. He's just representing the historical facts as his research shows.

For devoted Mormons wishing only to view "faith-promoting" materials, skip this one and go buy Hinckley's latest book. For those in and out of the Church desiring to see a more complete, accurate historical picture of the Church's leadership, give Quinn's two volumes a read.

Rating:
Summary: Allows One to See the "Big Picture"
Review: After reading several of the negative reviews here, I felt it necessary to add my opinion of the book. Clearly, devoted members of the LDS Church would not give a positive review of this work. They have something to protect, which is an unrealistic perception that "God's One and Only True Church" is led by the Lord himself and that the leaders operate the Church in complete harmony and inspiration.

In fact, from what I feel is plain common sense, we can understand that these are men of varying views trying to lead a huge organization. There are going to be skeletons in the closet. Of course, the Church would be foolish to publicize these skeletons for the world to see. I don't think any reasonable person would expect an organization to do that. Enter Michael Quinn who was up to the task.

I think that Michael Quinn has completed a significant work by using years of insider research to show the good, bad and ugly of the behind-the-scenes activities in the Church leadership circles. It thus allows you to see the "big picture" of the history of Church leadership. Is Quinn out to win apostate converts? Certainly not. Even a brief read of his preface shows that he does not have an "axe to grind" with the Church. He's just representing the historical facts as his research shows.

For devoted Mormons wishing only to view "faith-promoting" materials, skip this one and go buy Hinckley's latest book. For those in and out of the Church desiring to see a more complete, accurate historical picture of the Church's leadership, give Quinn's two volumes a read.

Rating:
Summary: Apparently truth isn't what "the only true church" is about!
Review: Every time I read one of Quinn's "monsters," I have to laugh at the shear volume of reference material he cites. He's out of control! And let me be among the first in line to thank him for wading through the tons of materials he has in order to produce this kind of work. He takes a lot of heat from polemicists and apologists alike who fear that his interpretation is somehow threatening to their comfort level regarding their own belief. They criticize his work because they would come to a different conclusion reading what he has read. So...write your own book! This book is Quinn's interpretation, and from my assessment, it's an excellent one.

The book itself is a careful examination of the evolution of the power structure in the Mormon church, taking you from the time when Joseph Smith was just "a charismatic visionary" with a few followers who shared his vision, up until he was annointed "King in Israel," running for President of the United States. Along the way you learn about the creation of the different offices in the priesthood, their quirks and difficulties, and how they all shake out in the end. His chapter on the Theocratic kingdom, with the emphasis on "theocratic ethics," (Quinn's self-coined phrase) is brilliant and illuminating. Additionally, his treatment of the succession crisis following the murder of Joseph Smith is the clearest, most complete explaination I have ever read. I have never been comfortable with the way a new Church President just ascends to office, but when you're done with Quinn's book, the widsom in the system is self-evident.

I expect many of his critics struggle with the fact that Quinn is not bashful about pointing out the discrepencies between authorized Church History or canonized revelations, and the original journals, meeting minutes, and all too often, the original published version of a revelation that no longer served the needs of a changing hierarchical structure. Well, the bottom line is, documents WERE changed, and meaning was subsequently altered, and those stories are important in understanding the evolution of leadership in the Mormon Church.

This is an excellent book, and is surprisingly easy to read given the academic subject matter. Quinn is often original in his thinking, is obsessive in his research, and is probably among the most insightful historians on the Mormon Church today. I'm on my way now to read the second volume, "Extensions of Power," a bigger "monster" than this one!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: I am a Mormons from Salt Lake City, Utah. I highly enjoyed reading Origins of Power. This book is deeply researched and written well. Quinn showes all references. I found this helpful. I do not agree with all his opinions, but I found the references very helpful in researching a questionable opinion. I enjoy his work and would recommend this book to scholars of LDS Church history.

Rating:
Summary: The power struggle after the death of Joseph Smith Junior.
Review: I am active LDS and enjoyed Quinn's piece of the power struggle that was going on at the time of the Prophet's death. I suggest that this book be read by anyone that is interested in the early development of the Church. Any reader must also keep in mind that Quinn was Excommunicated from the Church.

Rating:
Summary: Quinn's work is an excellent example of historical research.
Review: My wife and I were both LDS members, and in combination with what we were taught at church and temple services, Origins of Power sheds invaluable light onto the way the church operated in its beginning and how it operates today. Quinn's research and dedication to factual evidence (I've followed through on many of his sources), is no less than exciting and complete. I note that Quinn was excommunicated from the church, because of the sensitive, "unauthorized" information he (and many other authors) have brought forth concerning the origins of Mormon religious beliefs and practices. As a historical researcher, and once fond member of the church, I highly recommend Quinn's work to anyone interested in Mormon history, and who are fair minded and strong willed.

Rating:
Summary: A Peerless Grasp of a Mountain of Data
Review: Quinn's strength -- and a most considerable strength it is -- lies in his overarching grasp of the raw data of Mormon history. Here he has no contemporary peer in the field. Beside him the many other interpreters of the record are merely clerks filling up pigeonholes. Among the few rivals of Quinn's stupendous grasp of this very large subject is B.H. Roberts, running large and grim ahead of the field.

Quinn's weakness -- and this is also a very considerable weakness -- is his dark and sometimes bland analysis of the data. His works on J. Reuben Clark are the chief exhibit of this failing. He lacks the power to persuade and enlighten. He is a plodder, not a baton-carrier. Other thoughts:

1. Am I just imagining it, or do I detect a dark undertone of subtle challenge to the historicity of Joseph Smith's revelations. I take with a grain of salt the words of an unabashed apologist, but am even more skeptical of a man who fails to proclaim his malefactions. Quinn is an excommunicated Mormon. If he writes with love or hate for his subject, he ought to lay it out frankly. If there is an axe to grind, I want to see the sparks fly.

2. By far the most interesting and valuable section of this book -- and its equally prodigous companion volume -- is the chronology given in one of the appendices. This is a veritable goldmine of fascinating and obscure detail.

Rating:
Summary: convincing but only a part of the discourse
Review: The book is an interesting one. I found it somewhat persuasive in its arguments, however some of the primary sources that he uses could be interpreted differently. I've read a couple of reviews that said after reading Quinn's work they left the LDS church, that is unfortunate because Quinn is not the final word on the topics he treats. One should always look at author's who offer a different picture using the same primary sources that Quinn uses. Also, one could argue that Quinn is a biased historian since he was excommunicated from the church he is writing about. It's like writing a book about the IRS just after they've audited you and took everything you had. Would your book be considered objective? Apply that logic to Quinn's work and enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Historical details on Mormon Authority
Review: This book examines the origin and theology of "power" in the LDS Church.

The term "power" seems a little missleading. What the book is really about is the origin of Mormon "authority." Specifically, this refers to the concept of Mormon "Priesthood," or the "authority" of Mormon leaders to act in the name of God.

The book addresses how Joseph Smith received this authority, what he did with it, and how it helped to shape early Mormon society and theology.

Joseph's traditional account on how he received this authority from God is addressed, as well as the historical problems and evolution of that account over time.

It also explains how this authority became paramount in his theology. How his belief in this authority gave birth to, "theocratic ethics" (i.e. If God says something is right, it doesn't matter what man says), and to Joseph's being ordained King by his secret council of 50.

The book is well written, heavily annotated (typical of Quinn), and important in pointing out revisions to Mormon scripture as Joseph's traditional account became canonized.

Rating:
Summary: Historical details on Mormon Authority
Review: This book examines the origin and theology of "power" in the LDS Church.

The term "power" seems a little missleading. What the book is really about is the origin of Mormon "authority." Specifically, this refers to the concept of Mormon "Priesthood," or the "authority" of Mormon leaders to act in the name of God.

The book addresses how Joseph Smith received this authority, what he did with it, and how it helped to shape early Mormon society and theology.

Joseph's traditional account on how he received this authority from God is addressed, as well as the historical problems and evolution of that account over time.

It also explains how this authority became paramount in his theology. How his belief in this authority gave birth to, "theocratic ethics" (i.e. If God says something is right, it doesn't matter what man says), and to Joseph's being ordained King by his secret council of 50.

The book is well written, heavily annotated (typical of Quinn), and important in pointing out revisions to Mormon scripture as Joseph's traditional account became canonized.