Essentials in Church History A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away" By Joseph Fielding Smith of the Council of the Twelve, and Church Historian Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City, Utah Deseret News Press 1922 Copyright 1922, by Heber J. Grant, Trustee-in-Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Electronic edition produced by the Mormon Texts Project. Volunteers who helped with this book: Eric Heaps, Meridith Crowder, Byron Clark, Jean-Michel Carter, Tod Robbins, Ben Crowder, Stephen Bruington, Benjamin Bytheway. Version 1.0 Preface The need of a history of the Church in one volume that can be used for general reading, and at the same time meet the requirements of a text-book in the priesthood quorums, Church schools and auxiliary organizations, for a long time has been recognized. In the preparation of this volume, all these requirements have been given thoughtful consideration. As the title of the book, _Essentials in Church History_, implies, the vital and essential points of history and doctrine have been selected, and as far as possible, arranged in chronological order. The doctrines and revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith have been interwoven with the main story of the history in a manner, it is hoped, that will prove to be both interesting and instructive to the casual reader, as well as to the careful student. Moreover, the work has been prepared with the desire that the arrangement of the material will stimulate in the reader a zeal for further research and study of other and more extensive histories, particularly the _Documentary History of the Church_, in six volumes, which covers the period of the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. It is impossible to give, in one volume, in detail all the important incidents in the history of the Church. However, this volume is sent forth on its mission with the hope that it will answer fully the purpose for which it was written. Grateful appreciation is hereby acknowledged for invaluable assistance given by Dr. John A. Widtsoe, of the council of the twelve, in the preparation of the manuscript. I also desire to express sincere thanks to Elders Edward H. Anderson, J. M. Sjodahl, Andrew Jenson, August William Lund and others, who have so willingly and cheerfully assisted in the preparation of the work. Joseph Fielding Smith Table of Contents Part One -- Introductory: The Gospel in Ancient and Mediaeval Times Chapter 1. Antiquity of the Gospel Chapter 2. The Falling Away Chapter 3. The Protestant Revolution Part Two -- Opening of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times Chapter 4. Necessity for a Restoration Chapter 5. The Ancestry of Joseph Smith Chapter 6. Boyhood of Joseph Smith Chapter 7. The Vision Chapter 8. The Visitation of Moroni