Our Audiobook Library

"The History of the Saints; or, An Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism" is a book written by John Cook Bennett in 1842. Bennett, once an associate of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, and a prominent figure in the early days of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), became one of its most outspoken critics after his excommunication. The book is a controversial and critical account of the early history of the LDS Church. Bennett's work offers a scathing review of Joseph Smith and the practices of the Mormon community in Nauvoo, Illinois. He covers various topics, including the church's political and social practices, alleged secret rites, and polygamy, which was a deeply controversial issue at the time.

"Mormonism Unvailed," authored by Eber D. Howe and published in 1834, presents one of the first published critiques and investigations into the origins and credibility of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church or Mormon Church) and its founder, Joseph Smith. The book elucidates the skepticism and criticism of early Mormonism, disputing its authenticity and alleging fraudulent and deceptive practices within its early formation. Howe uses various affidavits, letters, and testimonies as substantive materials to confront and challenge the emerging faith, providing what he perceived as a startling insight into the veiled aspects of Mormonism.

A brief and early account of the goin's on in Nauvoo among the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) including details on the secretive "Endowment" ceremony, polygamy and polyandry (multiple wives for the men), and an account of the doctrines being taught after the death of Joseph Smith when the saints had moved to the Utah territory.

This book is a biographical sketch of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was written by his mother, Lucy Mack Smith, and published in 1853.

The book covers Smith's life from his birth to his death in 1844. It includes details about his family, his religious experiences, and his leadership of the Church.

Brigham Young, the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), disapproved of "Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith," a memoir written by Lucy Mack Smith, the mother of the church's founder, Joseph Smith. The book was published in 1853, and Brigham Young felt that it contained errors and inaccuracies concerning church history and doctrine.

In an effort to control the narrative and maintain consistency in the teachings and history of the LDS Church, Young and other church leaders sought to suppress the distribution and reading of Lucy Mack Smith's book. Brigham Young ordered the Saints in England, where the book was published, to gather and destroy the copies of the book. The church leaders believed that Lucy's account, although personal and heartfelt, presented a version of events that differed from the official church narrative.

The pages of "Female Life among the Mormons" by Maria Ward offers a stirring and hauntingly intimate account of the life of women under the early Mormon polygamous system. Written anonymously, though grounded on actual events or situations inspired by them, this book occupies a unique space in historical literature.

The book depicts a side of polygamy that is not often discussed. In Young's vision, wives began to function as domestic workers. Husbands were advised to take on numerous wives, pushing them to labor for the family, allowing the man to live a life of leisure. The stories within this book elucidate the strains and tensions this caused. Women, once accustomed to the sanctity of monogamous Christian matrimony, now had to share their husbands. Jealousy, competition, and infighting among co-wives became commonplace, with some disputes even escalating to physical confrontations.

This portrayal sharply contrasts with the narrative presented by Latter-day Saint apologetics. Common responses included: a minimal percentage of Mormons practiced polygamy; authorization from the church's top leadership was a prerequisite; it was essential for rapid population growth; it was a divine directive to produce a righteous progeny; and that it's an eternal principle. The veracity of these claims is dubious at best and even the Book of Mormon (the Latter-Day Saints’ own scripture) condems the practice and details the broken hearts of the women and children that result.

NOW ON AUDIBLE: "The Prophet of Palmyra" contains a history (unfiltered by religous censors) of the Mormon/Latter-Day Saint/Church of Christ movement that had its beginnings in Palmyra, NY through Kirtland, OH Far West, MO and Nauvoo Il, through the westward migration. Thomas Gregg wrote the history of Illinois and hs book "The Prophet of Palmyra" was one of the earliest full histories of the Mormon movement. It is also one of the notable sources Fawn Brodie used in her comprehensive history about Joseph Smith, "No Man Knows My History".

This book was a major inspiration for the Book of Mormon and the founding of the LDS Church and demonstrates claims about the native americans that were commonly-held beliefs in the 1800's.

Written in King James Biblical Style, and read even by schoolchildren in the 1800s, this was one of a few works relied on in for the creation of the Book of Mormon and it's influence is seen in many ways.

Written in King James Biblical Style, and read even by schoolchildren in the 1800s, this was one of a few works relied on in for the creation of the Book of Mormon and it's influence is seen in many ways.

"The Rocky Mountain Saints," stands as a crucial contemporaneous source, delving deep into the historical accounts of the Mormon movement during a time of great uncertainty and change in the American West. As a reader embarking on this enlightening journey, you will find within these pages not just a narrative, but a scholarly compilation of historical reports, citations, letters, publications, and crucially, affidavits that collectively verify the history and teachings of this pivotal period. The author's rigorous approach to sourcing and documentation provides an invaluable framework for understanding the complexities of this era.

Written in King James Biblical Style, this was one of a few works relied on for the creation of the Book of Mormon. It's influence is seen throughout the language and especially in Chapter 17 where an angel appears to the author, like the one who appears to Nephi.

This theological book contains the origins of the LDS beliefs of Outer Darkness, Degrees of Glory, Worlds Without End, Eternal Progression and the many ideas on Intelligences, Instantaneous Travel in the world of the spirits and other descriptions of the characteristics of the spirit world.

Historians (LDS and Non-LDS) now agree that there were two Nauvoos. A secret polygamous one, and a public "Traditional Christian Values" one. Joseph H. Jackson walked between both and gives his first hand account as he was in (one of) the inner circles of Joseph Smith Jr. The story is an enjoyable and eye-opening frontier adventure. Included with this book are selections from the Nauvoo Expositor, Notes on the proceedings of the Nauvoo CIty Council regarding the destruction of the Expositor, and an old age interview of William Law confirming the practice of polygamy in Nauvoo.