Review: Terryl Givens with Brian M. Hauglid. The Pearl of Greatest Price: Mormonism’s Most Controversial Scripture. New York: Oxford University Press, 2019.

Authors

Jeffrey (Kapali) Lyon

Keywords

Mormon scripture, Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith, theological development, textual history

Abstract

If you are looking for a quick takeaway from this review, here it is: I have never read a better book about Mormon scripture, and maybe not about any scripture from any religious tradition. The book is meticulously researched, both critical and sympathetic, but never apologetic nor debunking. The author aims to understand, laying out the origins and textual history of the Pearl of Great Price and its significance, both in the development of Mormon theology and as a tool for understanding Joseph Smith’s prophetic vocation.

BYU ScholarsArchive Citation

Lyon, Jeffrey (Kapali) (2022) "Review: Terryl Givens with Brian M. Hauglid. The Pearl of Greatest Price: Mormonism’s Most Controversial Scripture. New York: Oxford University Press, 2019.," Mormon Studies Review: Vol. 9: No. 1, Article 21.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/msr2/vol9/iss1/21