Joseph Smith’s Seer Stones – Michael Hubbard MacKay & Nicholas J. Fredrick – 4 Stars

Joseph Smith’s Seer Stones – Michael Hubbard MacKay & Nicholas J. Fredrick – 4 Stars

Title: Joseph Smith’s Seer Stones

Author: Michael Hubbard MacKay & Nicholas J. Fredrick

Publisher: Religious Studies Center (RSC) - BYU

Year: Hardcover 2016

Rating:  4 STARS

Price and Purchasing Options: This book is too early, and probably won’t get wide enough distribution to really hit anything in the second hand store soon enough.  Your best bet is to get it from Deseret Book directly, or a similar retail location.  The retail price is around $24.99 – anything less than that is a deal.  Luckily, the book is worth picking up at the price.

Review: I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book – even though it isn’t without it’s hiccups.

To be completely honest, in the past with the RSC has printed something I haven’t totally enjoyed or even been interested in reading it.  For the last few year, or to be clear for the first few years I don’t think they really knew who they were, or what they were trying to be.  So although, when the book was published I was excited about the topic, I was skeptical that it was from RSC.  Since the FARMS, Neal A Maxwell Institute, and RSC transitions – there hasn’t been a consistent and reliable thread in their quality or publications.

However, this book was a breath of fresh air in a number of ways.

First of all, the introduction alone is worth the purchase, and something I feel and wish every member of the church could read.  The dialogue on our discovery of information within a historical context and how we bring that into the church and our lives – how we develop frameworks around them – whether for the good or for the bad – is spot on!  Something that as we are more honest about ourselves, our history, and our study of the restoration historically, and in the coming future – we must have within proper context.  I loved it!  And have been tempted to quote extensively from it – but for the sake of my commitment to keep these brief I will temper myself; but I will warn, that I am not doing it justice.  I could hug MacKay and Fredrick for that alone.

Second, I appreciated the content and the topic.  The topic of Joseph’s use of the Seer stones, was interesting and enlightening.  It is something that a number of people thought was new knowledge, but hasn’t been.  From the introduction, the authors point out a number of references – many of them on nearly all latter-day saint shelves, which have made reference to Joseph’s use of the.  The authors then pointing out that in order for the information to have been assimilated, the readers would have actually had to read them. 

The author’s chronical the information we have about their use, their purpose, and their transmission through the years.  It is full of interesting facts and information; however, it is on an academic approach so they tend to present conflicting accounts, and leave the reader to filter through the ideas.  This could be problematic for most readers.

I am giving it four stars, because if you are interested in the topic this is a MUST read source.  However, it is not a required reading – and there are some literary approaches that some averages readers will find difficult.

In fact, that brings me to one of only two criticisms I have for the book.  The frist one being the tone change between the Introduction, which is written almost “one behalf of and for all Latter-day Saints” and the first chapter which pivots directly into intense academic language.  This pivot is startling to the average reader.  They will read the introduction and catch the vision that this book is for and on behalf of the average latter-day saints; then the first two chapters compose of a whole new language and tone which will shut off most casual LDS readers.  The tone of the first few chapters is strongly academic, but to the point of sourcing neutral to negative material or tones – almost making sure the reader knows this is a thorough and up to academic caliber book.  The challenge is this transition misses the mark.  The tone of the introduction will appeal to the casual LDS reader who will then be shut off from the tone of the first chapters; whereas, the academic reader will immediately shut down from the tone of the introduction which is obviously positioned for the LDS reader.

My other comment would be that they bring the information to the point of conclusion, but just come short of making it – in regards to the purpose of one of the Seer Stones.  I understood why they did this – but it was like a tease – and then never connecting the dots for the reader. 

With all of that said, I loved the book.  I enjoyed it – and I think the slightly more than casual reader will enjoy it – and they will typically be the ones that will be the most interested.  For the rest of the LDS community – they will be satisfied that this book exists, and will assume it addresses the topic satisfactory because it is sold at Deseret Book, regardless if they ever read it.

Suggestions:  If you are interested in the topic, this is a great book.  Pretty much the only book with comprehensive information on the Seer Stones.  Get it, read it, and enjoy it.  It’s fun, short, and interesting.

I hope you have enjoyed this review, and I encourage you to follow this blog as I update more reviews in the coming days, weeks, months, etc.  Please feel free to also follow my YouTube page – however, I enjoy writing more than being on camera!

Review #23

Tags: Joseph Smith’s Seer Stones, Michael Hubbard MacKay, Nicholas J. Fredrick, Church History, 4 Stars, LDS Book Review, Ryan Daley