Joseph Smith, Prophet and the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, continues to be the subject of adulation by many, but he is the object of derision by some Mormon critics.
C. Paul Smith, an experienced trial attorney and strong defender of Joseph Smith, highlights six historical and doctrinal issues pertaining to the prophet that remain the subject of debate: plural marriage; the succession of leadership following his death; the stories of three splinter churches that broke off from the church founded by Joseph Smith; the Book of Abraham; blacks and the priesthood; and six alleged false prophecies made by Joseph Smith.
The chapters on plural marriage give a concise history of key events of its introduction as a part of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The chapter on the Book of Abraham scrutinizes and exposes the fatal flaws in the arguments made by some Egyptologists that Joseph Smith's translation of the Book of Abraham is a fabrication. The chapter on blacks and the priesthood analyzes race relations in the 20th century, and it reviews some lesser known statements by Joseph Smith. The chapter on three LDS splinter churches provides important historical insights about three organizations that broke away from the Church in 1844, 1852-60 and 1863.
With debate still swirling around Joseph Smith, it is more important than ever to understand the truth about him in order to appreciate the quality of who he was and the great importance of his work.
About the Author: C. Paul Smith is an experienced trial lawyer in Maryland, where he has practiced law for 40 years, beginning in 1978. He graduated from the J. Reuben Clark School of Law at Brigham Young University in 1978, after also receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree there in English in 1974. Paul is married to Terry Thompson Smith, and together they have twelve children and 35 grandchildren.
Paul has operated a general law practice, handling primarily civil matters in state and federal courts, including family law, real estate, bankruptcy, personal injury, wills and estates and probate matters. Paul was elected Frederick City Alderman (2006-2009) and was elected Vice President of the Board of County Commissioners of Frederick County (2010-2014). He has been an active leader in the Boy Scouts of America for 45 years, and he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award in 2013. He coached youth baseball and basketball teams for many years.
Paul has served in many positions with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including bishop, high councilor, stake young men's president, stake mission preparation teacher, ward young men's president, scoutmaster (5 times), missionary to France (1970-72), and most recently (2017-2018) with his wife Terry as full-time missionaries in the Texas Ft. Worth Mission.
Paul has authored several books: The Fetal Right to Life Argument (1977); I Will Send My Messenger (1988, 2019); The State of the Constitution (2002); The Life of J. Russel Smith (2016); and The State of the Constitution--2017 (2017). For several years Paul also published the newsletter, Constitutional Law Updates (2001-2017).
