Building the Kingdom : A History of Mormons in America (Religion in American Life)

Mormonism is one of the world's fastest growing religions, doubling its membership every 15 years. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the formal denomination of the Mormon church) is now 10 million strong, with more than half of its membership coming from outside the United States. More than 88 million copies of The Book of Mormon have been printed, and it has been translated into more than 50 languages. Mormons in America tells the tumultuous story of this religious group, from its humble origins in small-town New York State in 1830 to its present heyday. Claudia and Richard Bushman introduce us to charismatic leaders like Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, go deep behind Mormon rites and traditions, take us along the adventurous trail of the Mormon pioneers into the West, evoke the momentous erection of Salt Lake City in the desert, and draw us into the dozens of skirmishes, verbal attacks, and court battles between Mormons and their neighbors, other religions, the media, and the American government. Religion in American Life explores the evolution, character, and dynamic of organized religion in America from 1500 to the present day. Written by distinguished historians of religion, these books weave together the varying stories that compose the religious fabric of the United States, from Puritanism to alternative religious practices. Primary source material coupled with handsome illustrations and lucid text make these books essential in any exploration of America's diverse nature. Each book includes a chronology, suggestions for further reading, and an index. Mormonism Is One Of The World's Fastest Growing Religions, Doubling Its Membership Every 15 Years. The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints (the Formal Denomination Of The Mormon Church) Is Now 10 Million Strong, With More Than Half Of Its Membership Coming From Outside The United States. More Than 88 Million Copies Of The Book Of Mormon Have Been Printed, And It Has Been Translated Into More Than 50 Languages. Mormons In America Tells The Tumultuous Story Of This Religious Group, From Its Humble Origins In Small-town New York State In 1830 To Its Present Heyday. Claudia And Richard Bushman Introduce Us To Charismatic Leaders Like Joseph Smith And Brigham Young, Go Deep Behind Mormon Rites And Traditions, Take Us Along The Adventurous Trail Of The Mormon Pioneers Into The West, Evoke The Momentous Erection Of Salt Lake City In The Desert, And Draw Us Into The Dozens Of Skirmishes, Verbal Attacks, And Court Battles Between Mormons And Their Neighbors, Other Religions, The Media, And The American Government. Joseph Smith's First Visions, 1820-30 -- Zion, 1831-37 -- Nauvoo, 1838-46 -- The Westward Trek, 1846-69 -- Building The Kingdom, 1847-69 -- Mormon Women, 1831-90 -- Mormons In The Nation, 1890-1945 -- The Church Since 1945. Claudia Lauper Bushman And Richard Lyman Bushman. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 110-116) And Index. MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict Cover 1 CONTENTS 8 PREFACE 10 CHAPTER ONE: Joseph Smith's First Visions, 1820–30 14 CHAPTER TWO: Zion, 1831–37 27 CHAPTER THREE: Nauvoo, 1838–46 38 CHAPTER FOUR: The Westward Trek, 1846–69 50 CHAPTER FIVE: Building the Kingdom, 1847–69 60 CHAPTER SIX: Mormon Women, 1831–90 71 CHAPTER SEVEN: Mormons in the Nation, 1890–1945 96 CHAPTER EIGHT: The Church Since 1945 109 CHRONOLOGY 125 FURTHER READING 131 INDEX 138 A 138 B 138 C 138 D 139 E 139 F 139 G 139 H 140 I 140 J 140 K 140 L 140 M 140 N 141 O 141 P 141 Q 142 R 142 S 142 T 142 U 143 V 143 W 143 Y 143 Z 143 This title traces the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon church, which began in America in the early 1800s and continues today throughout the world. The book covers the church's origin and history and includes a well-balanced discussion of difficult issues such as polygamy.