APPENDIX 5
NOTES ON REFERENCES AND
AUTHORITY
Besides this book, there is no other published account giving a truthful rendition
(“palatable concoction”) of any of the events of Joseph Smith’s life from the unique context
and perspective of Joseph himself. He is the only one who would know his true history. He
is the only one with the proper understanding of the events of his day and the purposes of
his calling. This biography maintains that Joseph could give his rendition by way of a
present-day true messenger, who is equally equipped as Joseph was with the same tools,
authority, and calling.
So what gives the author of this book the authority and knowledge to publish what
Joseph would say about his own history? Why is this book’s title justified as being the only
authorized and official biography of Joseph Smith’s life?
Joseph Smith claimed to have received authority and knowledge to perform his
mission as a true messenger on September 21, 1823, from a resurrected being who called
himself Moroni.^1 Joseph did not claim to receive a “revelation from God”; nor did he claim
that he was “inspired” in his mind or heart to do the things that he did. He claimed that his
calling was initiated and overseen by an actual person who spoke to him as one man speaks
to another.^2 Without revealing his existence to the rest of the world, Moroni interacted in
this mortal life as an advanced human being. Moroni mentored Joseph throughout the
course of his life as Joseph fulfilled his mission.
The same authority that the mortal Joseph received from the resurrected Moroni
gives this author the unique authority that he, likewise, claims. On June 16, 1987, a
resurrected being, who called himself Joseph, appeared to this author in the Salt Lake City
LDS Temple and called him to fulfill a mission. As part of that mission, the author was
instructed to write this book of Joseph’s true history.
This author’s authority, of course, will be questioned by all those who do not accept
that he actually received a visitation from Joseph. Those who submit to the LDS/Mormon
priesthood authority and lineage, as it is presented to them by their religious leaders, will
have an especially difficult time opening their minds and hearts to such a claim. They will
have a hard time accepting that a man outside of that priesthood authority and lineage
could be called as a true messenger, as was their first “prophet, seer, and revelator,”^3 Joseph
Smith, Jr. All true messengers face similar challenges. Jesus faced the same challenge with
the Jewish religious authority in his day—and it cost him his life. Joseph’s own demise
supported his authenticity.
Ironically, most of the world has the same problem with LDS/Mormon claims about
Joseph Smith as the LDS/Mormons have about this author’s claims. The world doesn’t give
any credence to Joseph’s claim of interacting with a resurrected being and receiving any type
of divine calling. In regards to this biography, therefore, most of the world will likely
conclude that, if Joseph Smith made everything up, then this author has also.