History of Joseph Smith by His Mother

First published in 1853, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother stands as one of the most important firsthand accounts of the early years of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Written by Lucy Mack Smith, the Prophet Joseph’s mother, this remarkable narrative offers an intimate portrait of the Smith family, their hardships, and their role in the unfolding Restoration. Lucy begins by tracing her family’s heritage and recounting vivid stories from her father’s journal and her own childhood. She then leads readers into the heart of the Smith family story—their struggles with poverty, crop failures, and frequent moves; the formative trials of young Joseph, including his painful leg surgery without anesthesia; and their eventual settlement in Palmyra,…