Like a Fiery Meteor: The Life of Joseph F. Smith

"Joseph F. Smith laid the theological groundwork for modern Mormonism, especially the emphasis on temple work. This contribution was capped off by his revelation on the redemption of the dead, a vision accepted by Mormons as a prophetic glimpse into the afterlife. Taysom's book traces the roots of this vision, which reach far more deeply into Joseph F. Smith's life than other scholars have previously identified. In this first cradle-to-grave biography, ... Taysom uses previously unavailable primary source materials to craft a deeply detailed, insightful story of a prominent member of a governing and hugely influential Mormon family. Importantly, Taysom situates Joseph F. Smith within the historical currents of American westward expansion, rapid industrialization, settler colonialism, regional and national politics, changing ideas about family and masculinity, and more"--