The boring part of the story

"The Mormon Hierarchy" is a two-volume work on the history of Mormonism, written by dissident Mormon D. Michael Quinn. This is the first volume, "Origins of Power". It deals with the time of Joseph Smith and the immediate aftermath. About half of the book consists of notes, references and appendices.

In my opinion, "Origins of Power" is more tedious and less interesting than the second volume, "Extensions of Power", which I have reviewed elsewhere. "Origins" is also a hard read, unless you already know your Mormon history by heart (both the official and the unofficial). I do, but I wouldn't recommend the book to a rookie! I suspect "Origins" is of primary interest to scholars.

Several large sections deal with details concerning the development of the Mormon priesthood. Another chapter expounds on the various factional struggles following Smith's death. The more exciting developments at Nauvoo get comparatively little attention (just one chapter).

Scholarly Mormon-watchers might want to procure both volumes of Quinn's magnum opus, but more casual readers will probably prefer the second volume, "Extensions of Power", which deals with Utah Mormonism from Brigham Young until the 1990's.