Images

A Mormon Image: Joseph in the New York Review of Books

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nybrjoseph.gifFor those ever-so-hip, black-turtleneck wearing New Yorkers in our midst, I felt that I would do what I could to relieve any anxiety that you might have about the potential un-hippness of Mormonism. Hence this image of Joseph Smith, which appeared in no less an oracle of Manhattan sophistication than The New York Review of Books. I have to confess that I am a bit mystified as to the significance of the shovel. A reference to money digging perhaps? Digging up the Gold Plates? Who knows. Interestingly, Joseph did visit New York City once in his life. It has been a while since I read the journal entry, but as I recall he thought it was a facinating place, but full of sin and ready for a good smiting by the Almighty. Not a bad description all in all.

4 comments for “A Mormon Image: Joseph in the New York Review of Books”

  1. Thanks Nate. The potential un-hipness was keeping me up at nights.

    But if I couldn’t sleep, at least I looked great in that black turtleneck out partying and readying myself (and the town) for that good smiting.

  2. All I can say, Logan, is that I am glad to have help provide you with a little peace of mind and a little more sleep. It just goes to show that I am more than a snide, arrogant, sarcastic, and self-important blowhard.

    I am a snide, arrogant, sarcastic, and self-important blowhard who cares.

  3. Nate- is there a link to the context of this image? What is it related to? What edition was it in?

  4. Taylor: It appeared in the 1967 NYRB. Christopher Lasch reviewed Flanders, Kingdom on the Missippi, some book called The Mormon Power Establishment or something like that, and Mullen’s The Latter-day Saints. There is a link from the CIA post, but you have to pay $4 to read the article.

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