Cover
Title
Copyright
Contents
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
PROLOGUE
INTRODUCTION
1. CHARISMA AND AUTHORITY The Crucible for the Office of Patriarch
2. “LIKE THE PATRIARCHS OF OLD” Joseph Smith, Sr.—First Patriarch, 1833–40
3. “BY BLESSING AND ALSO BY RIGHT” Hyrum Smith—Second Patriarch, 1841–44
4. OFFICE IN CRISIS William Smith—Third Patriarch, May 1845–October 1845
5. PATRIARCHAL BRIDGE Interregnum, 1845–47, and Uncle John Smith—Fourth Patriarch, 1847–54
6. CONTINUING THE TRADITION John Smith—Fifth Patriarch, 1855–1911
7. A QUESTION OF PRIMACY Hyrum G. Smith—Sixth Patriarch, 1912–32
8. DECADE OF UNCERTAINTY, 1932–42, AND THE COMPROMISE Joseph F. Smith II—Seventh Patriarch, 1942–46
9. THE END OF THE LINE Eldred G. Smith—Eighth Patriarch, 1947–79
10. UNIQUE EMERITUS Eldred G. Smith—Patriarch/General Authority Emeritus, 1979–2013
Conclusion
Appendix A: Presiding Patriarchs and Presidents of the Mormon Church
Appendix B: Mormon Presiding Patriarchs
Bibliography
Index