DOC A Man Without Doubt by Denver C. Snuffer Jr. in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Joseph Smith as a faith-filled Christian thinkerBy Galen F.After reading A Man Without Doubt; I found myself re-thinking what I thought I had known about Joseph Smith and his Christian life. I had not realized before that his three main writings were all so closely tied to him encouraging his followers to connect directly with God and increase their faith in Jesus Christ. (Most people know Smith for the Book of Mormon; Doctrine and Covenants; and Pearl of Great Price; which are mainly texts through him as translations or revelations; not his own words.) This book is straight unedited Smith.Denver Snuffer; the compiler of A Man Without Doubt; states his goal is to produce a relatively short read for lay Christians interested in Joseph Smith’s own thinking (p. 5). He does this well by briefly setting the stage for each of Smith’s three works in 69 total pages; and then getting out of the way to allow the reader to hear Smith’s own voice and unfiltered perspectives for the other 87 pages. All of Snuffer’s focus in the book (including the glossary of terms at the book’s end) point to him writing to Christians interested in a believer’s walk and testimony.The first writing by Smith included is his doctrinal exposition; Lectures on Faith (pp. 35-81); written to show how to make faith in God a reality in one’s life. Snuffer’s contribution is to demonstrate how Smith wrote this text in response to his followers needing faith. The second writing is Smith’s autobiographical account of how he came in contact with God himself (pp. 99-119). Snuffer explains why Smith would write in 1838 about his earlier life’s events from 1820 to 1830; by listing the intense and constant opposition Smith faced by former Mormons in 1837 to 1838. Smith’s history was not a leisurely memoir; but instead a strong reaffirmation of his divine calling against doubters. The final writing by Smith within A Man Without Doubt is a 21-page handwritten letter composed while he was jailed in Missouri in 1839. In the letter; Smith emphasizes faith; hope; and charity towards the LDS Church former members who caused his arrest and imprisonment; with vengeance belonging to God and not Smith. Snuffer points out that when Smith wrote his long letter; he did not know when or if he would ever be set free. But he wrote with faith and confidence; similar to imprisoned Paul the apostle’s; an example “of the universal Christian struggle to keep hope in hopeless conditions” (p. 155).Finally; in response to another reviewer; I’ll add that the LDS Church does not give away for free the texts reprinted in A Man Without Doubt; except for a pamphlet covering 20 pages on Smith’s history in the book’s center (pp. 99-119). Smith’s first text in this book (Lectures on Faith) was dropped from LDS scriptures almost 100 years ago. It is published by the [LDS] Church Historians Press within The Joseph Smith Papers; Vol. 2: Revelations and Translations; Published Revelations; or stand-alone from Deseret Book hardcover or paperback. Smith’s third text (Letter from Liberty Jail; pp. 133-154) has scattered excerpts reprinted in the LDS Church Doctrine Covenants (pp. 135; 138-139; 142; 143; 146-148 are combined into DC 121; pp. 148-149 are DC 122; and pp. 150-151 are DC 123). The LDS Church currently sells the Doctrine Covenants as part of its Triple Combination in various formats from paperback to large leather-bound. LDS Church missionaries do not give these books away. And; none of these LDS Church publications show the context of Smith’s writings within the overall arc of his life and the possibilities Smith was trying to help his followers and any Christian see in response to his and their set-backs; a gap filled in well with A Man Without Doubt.6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Who really is this Joseph Smith? The faith; sacrifice and writings of this man is eye opening indeed.By Glen MartineauAfter reading this book I have a greater love and respect for the life and writings of Joseph Smith. He truly is a towering figure in humanity. I have found very few figures in history that have lived a life filled with such faith and sacrifice. My heart broke - and then soared as I read Joseph's letter written while confined in Liberty Jail. What wisdom; truth and love that flowed from those words! As one not affiliated with any Mormon church or organization; I wonder how the Lectures on Faith and the Book of Mormon could have been ignored and discarded by the world?I found this book to be a faithful look at a few key events and writings by Joseph Smith that have been forgotten or discarded. I believe that these specific writings deserve greater attention as they have personally brought a desire to better examine the Holy Bible and the source of all truth who is Jesus Christ.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Without doubt a good book.By VaughnInteresting book that takes a look at Joseph Smith; his prophetic claims; some of his teachings about faith; and pointing to how his response to severe setbacks and adversity demonstrated that he had no personal doubt in his experiences with the divine.As a lifelong Mormon; there was material I was familiar with (e.g. The Lectures on Faith; which are included in full without author commentary); and other things that were new (e.g. there are at least 85 churches that claim Joseph as their founder!). However; the author clearly states the target audience for this book is not any of those 85 church groups or organizations. It's written to those who are unfamiliar with Joseph; and to share Joseph's core message of faith in Jesus Christ in spite of the hellish opposition thrown at him from both outside and from within the church he organized.