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“In Pursuit of the Elusive Joseph Smith,” Mormon History Association Meeting, Killington, Vermont, 28 May 2005. Panelists: Roger D. Launius, D. Michael Quinn, Grant Underwood, Dan Vogel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7W4b4uWYFE&feature=plcp

In this paper, I review some of the challenges facing biographers of Joseph Smith. Among other things, I discuss why I think Joseph Smith is still remembered when many other would-be prophets and religious innovators have faded into obscurity; how the symbiosis of leader and follower worked to shape the stories Joseph Smith told about himself; and why I think Joseph Smith will probably remain elusive.

In what way did Joseph Smith ever consider himself a follower of anything?

I think a transcript would help, I lost the will to live after 5 mins.

Dan, thanks for posting another video. I have really enjoyed them.

Dr. Shades wrote:In what way did Joseph Smith ever consider himself a follower of anything?

I don't understand this question. the symbiosis is between Joseph Smith as leader and his followers.

PrickKicker wrote:I think a transcript would help, I lost the will to live after 5 mins.

It would be helpful to me if you could tell me what bothered you about it. Why a transcript?

dblagent007 wrote:Dan, thanks for posting another video. I have really enjoyed them.

Thanks for the feedback. More to come.

I'm surprised but you don't sound like an anti-Christ.

Bunch of questions:

1. Why pursue Joseph Smith, if it is so difficult to get a fix on his true personality? I am thinking of borderline personality disorder and substance abuse in this context. Those people are constantly changing; it is nearly impossible to predict what they are going to do in any given situation.

2. Since we cannot put him in a therapeutic situation, isn't it more important to analyze the cultural context in which he succeeded?

3. Since the publication of the Brigham Young book, we can understand how BY bided his time, learned how Joseph thought, copied his way of thinking (a man-crush helped), and captured his personality enough that their followers saw Joseph Smith in BY. It is possible that BY became what Joseph Smith's limitations prohibited him from becoming. Is this an appropriate analysis?

MCB wrote:Bunch of questions:

1. Why pursue Joseph Smith, if it is so difficult to get a fix on his true personality? I am thinking of borderline personality disorder and substance abuse in this context. Those people are constantly changing; it is nearly impossible to predict what they are going to do in any given situation.

2. Since we cannot put him in a therapeutic situation, isn't it more important to analyze the cultural context in which he succeeded?

3. Since the publication of the Brigham Young book, we can understand how BY bided his time, learned how Joseph thought, copied his way of thinking (a man-crush helped), and captured his personality enough that their followers saw Joseph Smith in BY. It is possible that BY became what Joseph Smith's limitations prohibited him from becoming. Is this an appropriate analysis?

MCB,

1. Good question. I suggested that they really don’t have a personality outside the role they invent with the help of their followers. I’m reluctant to diagnose with a specific label. Bob Anderson’s Narcissistic Personality Disorder thesis is interesting, but risky. The thing to study is the charismatic personality.

2. Agree.

3. I haven’t studied BY enough to say.