Understanding the Differences Between the 1853 and 1865 Editions of Lucy Mack Smith's Autobiography

Explore how two distinct editions of Lucy Mack Smith's autobiography came to be, and why their differing editorial choices matter for understanding early Latter-day Saint history.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 2, 2026

Branched from Lucy Mack Smith's Autobiography

Quick take

The 1853 and 1865 editions are two distinct published versions of Lucy Mack Smith's autobiography, each with different editorial approaches.
The 1853 edition, published by the LDS Church, was heavily edited to align with its narrative and theological views.
The 1865 edition, published by the RLDS Church, aimed to be closer to Lucy's original manuscript, though still edited.
These differences highlight how historical narratives can be shaped by institutional interests and editorial influence.

The 1853 and 1865 editions are the first two published versions of the autobiography of Lucy Mack Smith, mother of Joseph Smith Jr., the founder of the Latter-day Saint movement. Neither was published during her lifetime, and both reflect distinct editorial choices made by the different factions of the Latter-day Saint faith that emerged after Joseph Smith's death.

The 1853 Edition: Biographical Sketches

The first published version, titled *Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and His Progenitors for Many Generations*, appeared in 1853. It was published in Liverpool, England, by Orson Pratt on behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), headquartered in Utah. This edition was heavily edited by Martha Jane Coray and George A. Smith (Joseph Smith's cousin), under the direction of Brigham Young. The editorial process involved significant alterations, including stylistic changes, theological interpretations, and sometimes the omission or addition of material to align the narrative with the church's established doctrines and to present Joseph Smith in a specific light. Its primary purpose was to strengthen the faith of church members and defend Joseph Smith's legacy, often smoothing over ambiguities or adding details not explicitly present in Lucy's original manuscript.

The 1865 Edition: History of Joseph Smith by His Mother

The second major edition, titled *History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, Lucy Smith*, was published in 1865 in Plano, Illinois, by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church, now Community of Christ). This church, led by Joseph Smith III, aimed to present a more authentic account of early church history, distinct from the Utah-based LDS Church. The 1865 edition was edited by Joseph Smith III and Henry A. Smith, who claimed to have worked directly from Lucy's original manuscript. While still an edited version, scholars generally consider it to be closer in tone and content to Lucy's original writings than the 1853 edition, containing fewer overt theological interpolations and presenting a slightly different emphasis on certain events and individuals.

Why These Differences Matter

The differences between these two editions are significant for understanding the early history of the Latter-day Saint movement and the challenges of historical scholarship. They illustrate how historical narratives can be shaped and interpreted by institutional interests, theological perspectives, and individual editors. For historians, comparing these editions to each other and to Lucy Mack Smith's original manuscript (which has since been published in critical editions) provides crucial insights into editorial biases, the evolving understanding of key events, and the varying portrayals of central figures like Joseph Smith. It highlights the importance of critically examining primary sources and understanding the context in which historical documents are produced and published.

Was either edition published by Lucy Mack Smith herself?

No, both the 1853 and 1865 editions were published posthumously, years after Lucy Mack Smith's death in 1856. This means she had no direct input on their final published forms.

Which edition is considered more faithful to Lucy's original manuscript?

Scholars generally agree that the 1865 RLDS edition is closer to the spirit and content of Lucy Mack Smith's original manuscript than the heavily edited 1853 LDS edition. However, neither is a direct, unedited transcription.

Why did two different churches publish different versions?

After Joseph Smith's death, the Latter-day Saint movement fractured into several groups. The two largest were led by Brigham Young (LDS Church) and Joseph Smith III (RLDS Church). Each church had its own narrative and theological agenda, leading them to produce editions of Lucy's history that supported their respective views and claims to authority.

What kinds of changes did the editors make?

Changes ranged from minor stylistic corrections and grammatical improvements to significant alterations, including the omission of entire passages, the addition of new material (sometimes attributed to Lucy), and the reinterpretation of events to align with specific theological or historical narratives. The 1853 edition is particularly known for its extensive interpolations.

Sources

Anderson, Richard Lloyd. "The Reliability of the Early History of Lucy and Joseph Smith." *BYU Studies Quarterly* 12, no. 3 (1972): 25-42.
McConkie, Joseph Fielding, and Donald W. Parry. *A Guide to the Joseph Smith Histories and Papers*. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2001.
Smith, Lucy Mack. *The Revised and Enhanced History of Joseph Smith by His Mother*. Edited by Scot F. Proctor and Maurine Jensen Proctor. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1996.