The twenty-one essays in this volume, written by knowledgeable scholars, richly illuminate new findings about Joseph Smith’s history and teachings during his final years in Nauvoo, a glorious culmination to a faithful life. From the book: "Joseph Smith" lived his life in crescendo , it grew in intensity and volume as he approached its close." —Elder B. H. Roberts, Church Historian, President of the Council of the Seventy Time is the great tester of thoughts and ideas, and Joseph Smith’s fellow apostles in the church adopted as a motto the slogan “Truth will prevail.” —Richard E. Turley Jr., Former Assistant Church Historian Joseph Smith had nothing going for him, they had everything. But he could not lose and they could not win. Why not? The answer is self-evident. —Hugh W. Nibley, eminent professor of ancient scripture and Church history, Brigham Young University With joy and thanksgiving, I raise my voice in “praise to the man who communed with Jehovah.” And above all, praise to Jehovah, who communed with that man! —Elder Kyle S. McKay, Church Historian and Recorder, General Authority Seventy [ VOLUME 1 ] Foreword Richard E. Turley Jr. DOCTRINAL DEVELOPMENTS IN NAUVOO The Man Who Communed with Jehovah Elder Kyle S. McKay Now That We Have the Words of Joseph Smith, How Shall We Begin to Understand Them? Twelve Challenges and Opportunities Jeffrey M. Bradshaw “Line upon Line”: Joseph Smith’s Growing Understanding of the Eternal Family R. Devan Jensen, Michael A. Goodman, and Barbara Morgan Gardner Life before Birth Terryl L. Givens “For Their Salvation Is Necessary and Essential to Our Salvation”: Joseph Smith and the Practice of Baptism and Confirmation for the Dead Alexander L. Baugh Understanding the Doctrine of Election: A Closer Look at the Prophet’s 21 May 1843 Discourse on the “More Sure Word of Prophecy” Jeffrey M. Bradshaw The King Follett Discourse: Pinnacle or Peripheral? James E. Faulconer with Susannah Morrison TEMPLE, PRIESTHOOD, AND THE RELIEF SOCIETY Restoring Melchizedek Priesthood John S. Thompson The Revelatory Origins of Temple Ordinances Jeffrey M. Bradshaw Doctrine and Covenants 132: Questions and Discussions Brian C. Hales Thoughts on Reclaiming the History of Relief Society Rachel Cope What Is Women’s Relationship to Priesthood? Lisa Olsen Tait “Finishing the Foundation”: The Sacred Site of Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo Store Jacob D. Hawkins and Matthew J. Grow [ VOLUME 2 ] THE MARTYRDOM Road to Martyrdom: Joseph Smith’s Last Legal Cases Joseph I. Bentley Joseph Smith’s Short Trip to Iowa, June 23, 1844, to Secure Lawyers to Go with Him to Carthage John W. Welch True to the End: The Culmination of the Earthly Ministry of the Prophet Joseph Smith in His Martyrdom at Carthage R. Jean Addams SUCCESSION IN CHURCH LEADERSHIP Authority, Keys, and “the Measures of Joseph”: A Detailed Exploration of 1844 Succession Ronald K. Esplin Dennison Lott Harris’s Firsthand Accounts of the Conspiracy of Nauvoo and the Transmission of Apostolic Keys Jeffrey M. Bradshaw Aftermath of the Martyrdom: Aspirants to the Mantle of the Prophet Joseph Smith R. Jean Addams A Simple Inventory of Joseph Smith’s Contributions Hugh W. Nibley Indexes