"IN HEAVEN AS IT IS ON EARTH: Joseph Smith and the Early Mormon Conquest of Death," by Samuel Morris Brown, Oxford University Press, $29.95, 400 pages (nf)
One of the great comforts found in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the understanding of what happens when mortality ends. But how did the answers to these eternal questions come to be part of the revelations received by Joseph Smith?
In his new work, "In Heaven as It Is on Earth: Joseph Smith and the Early Mormon Conquest of Death," Samuel Morris Brown examines what he believes are some of the traditions, events and experiences involving death that may have influenced the early life of the Prophet. Using readily available, historical documents, the author looks at Joseph's prophetic life with a lens focused on his feelings about and experiences with death.
One of the first things Brown examines is what he calls "holy death" — "the rites whereby early Americans sought to negotiate the frightening transition into death while attempting to find the will of God in tragedy."
Because death was a frequent visitor in the Smith family (beginning with brother Alvin and eventually ending with his own martyrdom), Joseph was well-versed in the roles of each participant in the "holy death" ritual.
Brown postulates that in later years, the effects of death and its common events influenced some of the questions Joseph raised as he sought answers from God. The author believes those answers are reflected in revelations commonly used in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to explain the doctrines relating to death.
Brown, an assistant professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the Univeristy of Utah/Intermountain Medical Center, also considers how such subjects as the treatment of corpses, hallowed grounds for the dead and family continuity after mortality influenced the teachings and revelations of the Prophet.
Overall, the tone of this work is positive, the documentation is excellent and the effort merits consideration by those interested in the subject. This is an exhaustive — and sometimes exhausting — volume and is not for those who are looking for an evening of light reading. While most of the book seems to be well thought out, there are a few places where it is difficult to tell if Brown is speculating on the source or veracity of the revelations or just offering items for consideration.
IF YOU GO ...
What: Samuel Morris Brown speaking and book signing
When: Tuesday, Jan. 17, 7 p.m.
Where: The King's English, 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City
Web: kingsenglish.com
Mike Whitmer lives in West Valley City and his email is grundelwalken@gmail.com.