The Story of the Latter-day Saints

This book is more than a worthy replacement for the now-outdated 'Essentials in Church History' by President Joseph Fielding Smith. Instead of just focusing on major developments within the Church, Allen and Leonard put the history of the Church in the context of the times. For example, the First Vision is set against the local religious upheavals caused by the Second Great Awakening. In addition, the other side of the coin is discussed, making for a much more balanced account than 'Essentials.' For instance, in their discussion of the Missouri Persecutions, the views and concerns of the Missourians are actually given weight. , The book covers Church history down to 1991, covering such things as the impact of the Women's Movement of the 1960s and 1970s on the Church and its programs, the 1978 Revelation on Priesthood, and other events. , This book is a must-have for any serious students of Church history, whether or not they're LDS.