Dallin H. Oaks

if you're not a law student or Law & Order buff this book probably isn't for you. But I loved it, not least because it's about core LDS history without being apologetic or anti-Mormon. And it helps that I read most of it while on a trip to Nauvoo. If you love LDS history and you love legal procedural stuff, this is a great book. Otherwise... you should probably take a pass. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that it's not totally accessible to the average reader.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks is currently a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has also been a Utah State Supreme Court Justice and the President of Brigham Young University. In this slim book he analyzes the meaning of "the Name of the Lord" as found in the Holy Scriptures. I found his analysis very enlightening, and very useful in understanding my relationship to God. Recommended for all Latter-day Saints.

Despite the clear title, Carthage Conspiracy: The Trial of the Accused Assassins of Joseph Smith, I was expecting something different. I guess I was expecting a biography of the people involved, and maybe some reflection about the ultimate fate of the church, the Smith family, etc. But what I got was just what the title suggests - the trial. First the effort to identify the people responsible. Then all about the legal system of Hancock county Illinois at the time, and the political and show more social makeup of the area. Then finally the actual trial process. If I were a legal scholar, it would probably be interesting. But I am rather bored by the whole trial process. The part before and after is what I was interested in, so I don't think that I will finish this one. I may give it another glance through, but that's it. show less