Let's be clear: this isn't a novel or a biography. John A. Widtsoe, a trained scientist and a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wrote this in the early 1900s. His goal was ambitious. He looked at the foundational teachings of Joseph Smith—things like the eternal nature of matter and intelligence, the idea of eternal progression, and a universe governed by spiritual law—and asked: 'Do these ideas have a place in the world of science?'

The Story

The 'plot' here is an intellectual journey. Widtsoe doesn't retell Smith's life. Instead, he takes Smith's key religious concepts and lines them up against the scientific understanding of his day (think early 20th-century physics and philosophy). He argues that Smith's worldview was inherently 'scientific' in spirit because it saw the universe as orderly, knowable, and full of unchanging laws—both physical and spiritual. The book tries to show that faith and reason aren't enemies, but two ways of exploring one unified truth.

Why You Should Read It

This book is a fascinating time capsule. It shows a believer who was also a man of science trying to make sense of his world without having to choose sides. You don't have to agree with his conclusions to appreciate the effort. What struck me was the optimism. At a time when many saw science as undermining faith, Widtsoe saw harmony. For Latter-day Saint readers, it offers a unique historical perspective on how early leaders engaged with big ideas. For anyone else, it's a compelling case study in how people bridge different ways of knowing. It challenges the assumption that religious thought is inherently anti-scientific.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for curious minds interested in the history of ideas, the dialogue between religion and science, or early Mormon intellectual history. It's not a light read—you'll need to think—but Widtsoe's writing is clear and his passion is obvious. If you're looking for a fiery debate or a definitive proof, look elsewhere. But if you're open to exploring a thoughtful, century-old attempt to find common ground between revelation and reason, you'll find 'Joseph Smith as Scientist' surprisingly relevant and genuinely thought-provoking.