SKU: 36037669129
blue moon rose seeds

blue moon rose seeds Blue Moon Rose Seedlings Flower Seeds Perennial Growing Bonsai Corms Tubers Potted Planting Reblooming Fragrant Garden Roots Rhizomes Species Blooms Plant Bulbs Gardening Tree

Sale price$24.88 Regular price$27.65
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $6.91 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Sep 30 - Oct 5

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

blue moon rose seeds Blue Moon Rose Seedlings Flower Seeds Perennial Growing Bonsai Corms Tubers Potted Planting Reblooming Fragrant Garden Roots Rhizomes Species Blooms Plant Bulbs Gardening TreeAbout this item How to Grow Roses from Seeds Step 1: Treat Rose SeedsRose seeds need a much longer germination period than many flowers. If you arent careful, this extended moist storage can lead to the growth of molds that can threaten young rose seedlings. To prevent fungus spores from growing, you can destroy them with hydrogen peroxide. Add one half tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide to one cup of water and soak the seeds in this solution for an

About this item

  • How to Grow Roses from Seeds

    Step 1: Treat Rose Seeds
    Rose seeds need a much longer germination period than many flowers. If you aren’t careful, this extended moist storage can lead to the growth of molds that can threaten young rose seedlings.
    To prevent fungus spores from growing, you can destroy them with hydrogen peroxide. Add one-half tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide to one cup of water and soak the seeds in this solution for an hour.                                                                                                                                                                                      Step 2: Cold Germinate Seeds (Stratification)                                                        The natural rose germination process takes a few years. First, the rose hip needs to break down and decompose. After the seeds are fully exposed, they must undergo a period of stratification.Rose seed germination relies on a climate that experiences cold, moist winter months. You can simulate this winter environment using your home refrigerator.Place the rose seeds evenly spaced on a damp paper towel. Be sure to avoid overcrowding. Cover them with another layer of moist paper towels and seal the seeds in a plastic bag.Place the bag of seeds in a clean, empty crisper drawer. It would be wise to first sanitize the drawer with bleach and hot water to prevent mold contamination.Ensure the seeds remain moist throughout the entire stratification process. Add more clean water whenever they start to feel dry.Leave the seeds in the refrigerator for at least two months or until you are ready to sprout them.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Step 3: Warm Germinate Rose Seeds
    Once the stratification process is complete, you can germinate rose seeds as you would other flowers. It is crucial to bring the seeds out of refrigeration into conditions warmer than 70 degrees.
    Ensure the seeds remain damp and leave them in a warm environment until they sprout. This can take up to a month, and it is likely that not all seeds will germinate.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Step 4: Plant Rose Sprouts
    Add moistened seed-starter soil mix to seedling trays. Make a slight indentation for the rose seeds in each cell.
    The tiny tendrils that emerge are roots and must be handled very carefully. Gently remove the rose sprouts from the paper towel and place them root down in the seed trays.
    Cover the seeds with moist soil and leave the seed trays on a sunny windowsill. Use a clean spray bottle to mist the rose seedlings when they start to feel dry.
    For the best results, consider using Hoss Tools Deluxe Seed Starting Kit. This kit includes a 24-cell seed starting tray with a dome lid, seed-starter soil mix, fertilizer, and more.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Step 5: Transplant Rose Seedlings
    As the rose seedlings grow, pay close attention to the seed leaves so you know when to transplant. Wait until the true leaves develop, which take on the typical rose leaf appearance.
    Gently loosen the dirt from the tray cells and slide the seedlings free. Move them to individual containers and let them continue to grow for about a year before you transplant them outdoors.

  • Caring for Young Rose Plants

    Give your rose seedlings the support they need to grow strong stems and lush foliage. Add half-strength fertilizer to each planting location.
    Not all fertilizers are equal. Use a high-quality blend like Dry Fertilizer for guaranteed results.

    • How long does it take to grow a rose from seed

      Growing roses from seeds is a lengthy process. Without proper stratification, it can take multiple years for seedlings to emerge.
      Even the fastest-growing roses will likely take two full growing seasons to produce beautiful blooms.

    • Do roses grow true to seed

      Heirloom rose varieties grow true to the parent plants, while hybrid varieties are less predictable.
      The task of growing roses from seeds is very involved. For this reason, most gardeners prefer to grow roses from cuttings.
      If you want to experiment with cross-breeding unique roses, then you need to grow them from seed.
      To get predictable results, you must control pollination. This will ensure that your homegrown roses will grow true to color.

    • How to grow roses

      All you need to know about growing roses, in our detailed Grow Guide.Roses are some of the most beautiful and versatile garden plants. They come in a variety of forms, from patio roses to shrub roses, ramblers and climbers. Nearly all of them make an excellent cut flower. Single-flowered roses are great pollinator plants, while some species are used by leafcutter bees to make their nests. Most roses need sun and heavy soils to thrive, but some will grow well in partial shade and poorer soils. There really is a rose, or three, for every garden.Key points about growing roses
      Most roses thrive in full sun.Roses need rich, moist but well-drained soil.Water roses regularly so the soil stays moist but not waterloggedRoses are hungry plants. Mulch annually with organic matter such as well-rotted animal manure, and consider using a rose feed to promote flowering in summer.Prune roses annually to promote healthy growth, control the shape and encourage flowering
      Plant bare-root roses from November to March. Container-grown roses can be planted at any time of year.

    • How to grow shrub roses

      Shrub roses and English roses come in a huge range of sizes and colours �some can grow to 2m in height. Shrub roses are typically robust, healthy, repeat-flowering plants offering colour when other shrubs have finished flowering. Some shrub roses have a good fragrance, but if you want a scented shrub rose then English roses are for you. Shrub roses and English roses are perfect for growing in a mixed border, large container or as part of a rose garden. Some can also be trained as climbers or used to grow into a hedge.

    • How to grow climbing roses

      Climbing roses are the perfect plants to add height to a garden, without being too vigorous. There are climbing roses available in all the popular rose categories �hybrid tea roses, bourbons and English roses. Choose from double or single flowers, thornless or scented. Climbing roses can be grown up house walls, along garden fences, over pergolas or up large obelisks.

    • How to grow rambling roses

      Rambling roses are often confused with climbing roses. Ramblers are far more vigorous than climbers, and bear one fantastic flush of flowers, usually in June, followed by colourful hips. Climbing roses often repeat flower and have larger flowers.Rambling roses need plenty of space as they grow quickly. They’re ideal for growing up a tree or tumbling over a wall. They're perfect for covering an eyesore in the garden, such as an unsightly shed or out-building.A rambling rose looks great growing up into a tree, especially an apple tree, providing flowers after the apple blossom fades but before the fruits form. In this video guide from Gardeners' World, Monty Don shows you how to plant two different rambling roses â€?'Wedding Day' and 'Sander's White'. He details what conditions a rambling rose needs, how to prepare the soil, and how deep to plant it so it settles in well over autumn and gets off to a good start in spring. You'll also find out how far from the tree to plant the rose and how to encourage it to climb up the tree.

    • How to grow patio roses

      Patio roses are small enough to grow in pots. They are compact in habit and thrive in lighter soils than many other rose types. Patio roses are not as long lived as other types of rose, but they're easy to manage and remain compact if hard-pruned each spring.

    • How to grow ground cover roses

      Ground cover roses have a trailing or spreading habit. They're ideal for growing in a container, at the front of a border or on steep banks. Many are modern introductions have good disease resistance. If given the right conditions, ground cover roses can suppress weeds.

    • Roses to grow by colour

      Roses come in a huge variety of colours. Browse our lists of roses by colour, below, for the best one for your garden:
      Pink roses to grow
      Purple roses to grow
      Yellow roses to grow
      Beautiful red roses to grow
      Orange roses to grow

    • Growing roses in pots

      It's possible to grow roses in pots, meaning you can grow roses in even the smallest gardens. While all but rambling roses can be grown in pots, shorter growing bush varieties, or ‘patio roses', are ideal. They’ll do best in large, deep containers â€?an absolute minimum of 50cm in diameter and the same in depth â€?to keep their roots cool and moist during summer.In hot, dry weather, soak the compost every two to three days, and feed regularly.

    • What to grow with roses

      Many plants can be grown with roses to great effect. Climbing roses work well grown with clematis. Rambling roses can be trained to grow up a tree. Patio roses work well with a variety of other plants suitable for growing in pots, while shrub roses can be grown in a mixed ornamental border, alongside nepeta, lavender and other herbaceous perennials.

    • When to plant roses

      The best time to plant roses is in autumn, when the soil is warm and the water table is at its highest. Roses will establish quickly before becoming dormant, and then burst into life again in spring. Roses come as potted plants or as bare-root plants (sold without soil on the roots). Technically, you can plant a potted rose at any time of year and a bare-root rose from October to March, but autumn remains the best time to plant roses.

    • How to plant roses

      Plant roses in a well-prepared hole with added compost to improve soil structure and aid water retention. Back-fill with soil and firm in well, then water thoroughly.In this Gardeners' World programme clip, Monty Don shows you how to plant shrub roses. Watch as he plants the yellow-flowered, myrrh-scented rose 'The Pilgrim' in the Cottage Garden at Longmeadow. He explains how to prepare the soil and dig the hole, how and why you should add mycorrhizal fungi, and what rose care to provide to ensure the rose settles in well.

    • How to plant bare-root roses

      Planting bare-root roses during the dormant season is cheaper than planting container-grown roses, because the growers don't need to water and feed the plants when they're dormant, and they weigh less and take up less room when shipping. What's more, there's a far greater selection of bare root roses available to buy than container-grown roses, giving you more choice.You can plant bare-root roses at any time between October and the end of March, but planting them in autumn helps them establish more quickly because the soil is still warm from summer, and is typically moist.

    • Pruning roses

      Pruning is essential for the overall health, vitality and appearance of roses. Winter is the key time to cut back most varieties, except rambling roses, which are pruned in summer immediately after flowering.The basic principles of pruning are the same: cutting back hard will promote the strongest growth, while light pruning will result in less vigour. The other basic rules include cutting to an outward-facing bud to prevent compacted growth, and removing closely positioned stems that might rub or compete for space. Also remove stubby ‘snagsâ€?(short, dead lengths of stem with no growth on them) and thin, twiggy stems, which are unlikely to produce anything worthwhile in terms of growth and flowering potential.

    • Growing roses: problem-solving

      Roses suffer from many problems, including black spot, aphids, die-back and bloom balling. In this Quick Tips video, Richard Jones explains why you shouldn't worry about leafcutter bees damaging your rose leaves:Find more solutions to rose growing problems, below.
      Rose problems solved
      Trouble-free roses
      How can I stop die-back on roses?
      Rose black spot
      Rose bloom-balling

    Why Seedsplant ?

    • Experts in the field
    • Family owned and operated - 100 years
    • Rigorous quality control
    • We strive for your success by offering the bulb size you need
    • Affordable quality

    Flower Bulb Facts of Life

    Bulbs: Beauty In a Bottle:

    Bulbs are a natural product. And, as such, follow a natural cycle of growth and rebirth. Enjoying their fabulous flowers means planting ahead in one season then results the next. Bulbs are among the easiest flowers to grow, not only are they affordable, but bulbs offer the most stunning colors available. Even the most novice gardener can create a breathtakingly beautiful spring garden with bulbs.

    What's a Bulb?

    A flower bulb is really a self-contained flower factory. Within this marvelous little package is nearly everything the flower needs to come to life! Split a bulb open, for instance, and you'll see its baby flower bud, leaves, roots, stem and food supply. All bulbs need from you is to be placed in the ground at the appropriate season of year, given a liberal drink of water then left to work their magic.

    Variety:

    Flower bulbs come in seemingly limitless varieties which makes them perfectly suitable for any garden design you can dream up.

    Is It a bulb ?

    The Difference Between Bulbs, Corms, Tubers, Roots,Today, people commonly us the term 'bulb' to refer to any plant that stores its own food underground. But, in truth, many popular 'bulbs' are not true bulbs at all. These include corms, tubers and roots and, while they all produce beautiful flowers, technically the plants are different

    When To Plant

    In fall, after soil temperatures are below 50ºF/10ºC. These bulbs bloom the following spring and require the cold winter temperatures for development. But let's say winter arrives and your bulbs are still in their bag. Not to worry! Bulbs are pre-programmed to grow so even if you have to plant through snow, plant your bulbs!

    How To Plant

    Most bulbs thrive in either full or partial sun and in almost any location with good drainage. Avoid planting at the base of hills or under drainage pipes where water collects and will rot the bulbs.

    • Dig a hole
    • Drop in the bulb
    • Water thoroughly

    Tips For success

    • A larger grouping of flower bulbs are far more fab than just a few planted here and there. Think clumps of color.
    • Buy the largest bulbs you can find.
    • Note the flowering times. Not all bulbs will bloom at the same time. A little planning will greatly increase the number of months you will enjoy bulb flowers.

    Passionate About bulbs

    Generally speaking, the best predictor for gardening success is bulb size. Almost always, the larger the initial bulb size planted, the larger and stronger the plants will be, producing more flowers. The first year end result will be noticeable to anyone.The best predictor for gardening success is bulb size.

    Shipping

    All items are shipped usually within 2 working days (usually sooner) except plug plants. Plants only dispatch Monday-Thursday to avoid problems with live plants sitting in a postal depot over the weekend. During busy periods , due to the nature of product and extra care needed when packing and preparing for post, please allow up to 7 days for delivery (depending on day purchased). Plants are only dispatched when crops are ready to travel , therefore some multi orders may be delivered separately and occasionally it may be necessary to hold back dispatch until plants are ready. Shipping is either via Post  or 24/48 Hour courier depending on order size/weight etc. at our discretion. Please be patient when ordering plants as you cannot rush nature. Please be aware delivery dates shown by Seedsplant are estimates only and do not apply to live plant orders. Any orders returned to us by Post or Courier will incur a further postage charge to resend.

    Returs

    You may return all unopened items within 14 days of delivery for a full refund less P&P charges. Any items received damaged in transit must be notified in writing/email within 24 hours of receipt. Live plants should arrive in perfect condition , If however for some reason they do not please contact us immediately upon receipt. A full refund including original P&P will be made for any items not as described or wrong part no etc. All returns must include your full details with a copy of original receipt. You may cancel any transaction as long as notice is received before item(s) are / have been dispatched.

    Contact us

    You can message us through Seedsplant messages , otherwise You can write to us by email :[email protected]

    Shipping Notes
    • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
    • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
    • Delivery to the USA:
    1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
    • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
    Exchange/Return Notes
    • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
    • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
    • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
    • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
    SKU: 36037669129

    Discover Niche Categories That Outsell blue moon rose seeds

    Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

    4.7 ★★★★★
    Based on 5 reviews
    Sort
    Highest Rating
    Newest First
    Oldest First
    Product Reviews
    A
    Verified Purchase
    Amazon Customer
    San Leandro, US
    ★★★★★ 4
    Good material for seminary class or testimony meeting, questionable history and biography
    Format: Hardcover
    Bushman' preface tells us that this "biography" is a "believers" perspective on Joseph Smith's life and time. Thus, Bushman's book is valuable as insight into how devout, believing, practicing Mormons view Joseph's life. To me, as a "gentile", the book seems like great material for a seminary class or a testimony meeting. The basic Mormon "testimony" statement goes something like "I have a testimony of the truth of the Book of Mormon and that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God." I also imagine that this book might be good material for missionary training. But I have some problems with the historical scholarship. (See the end of my review.) Regardless of my problems with Bushman's text, Joseph Smith is an interesting and complicated character. He has had a lasting impact, and fathered a religion that has members around the world. His life, as well as the religion and church he founded, is well worth studying. But then the same could be said of Ellen White, L. Ron Hubbard, Mary Baker Eddy, and many others. Bushman does give us a valuable, well written (but at times tedious), insight into a believer's perspective on Joseph. But the value of this book as history and biography is problematic. When the historical evidence suggests conflicting interpretations, or negative interpretations, of Joseph, and exposes some of the "rough edges", Bushman never deviates from his testimony that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. Consequently Bushman always seems to be able to smooth the edges of this "rough stone rolling". In doing so there are some misrepresentations and omissions which diminish the value of this book as a serious study of Joseph's life and times. Bushman has solved the biography problem for believing Mormons who have waited over 60 years for an alternative, and antidote, to Fawn Brodie's "No one Knows my History". But I don't think he has transcended Brodie's work. If you are not a believing Mormon, a better introduction to Joseph Smith would be Robert Remini's short biography (182 pages), "Joseph Smith". Then tackle Bushman's tome (561 pages of text). Problems with Bushmans text: 1. Bushman, as Mormon historians and General Authorities have done for over 100 years, misrepresents and distorts the perspective of Josiah Quincy. A century ago B. H. Roberts claimed that Quincy was "on our side". In the prologue (pp. 1-7), Bushman represents Quincy as a benign "puzzled skeptic". In fact Quincy saw Joseph and his religious movement as an "evil fanaticism" and likens Joseph to Thomas Muntzer (Mulhausen) and Jan van Leydon (Munster). This is clearly stated in the opening paragraph of Quincy's essay, along with comments about "demoralizing doctrines", "still darker revelations", and the assertion that Joseph's religion is "subversive of every duty which we claim from the citizen". ( For the significance of the references to Mulhausen and Munster see Norman Cohn, The Pursuit of the Millennium, pp. 234-280 and Anthony Arthur, The Tailor-King). My concern is not with the merits of Quincy's essay. (You can read Quincy for yourself at [...]) Rather it is that Bushman's representation of Quincy as a benign "puzzled skeptic" is at best inaccurate. Quincy's puzzlement is of a very different nature than Bushman would have us believe. I think Quincy's statements might be closer to what Bushman call the "anti-Mormon argument" (p. 510). But Quincy's personal position on Joseph and his followers would be closer to Thomas Gregg's (p. 532). There are three other misrepresentations of Quincy. Towards the end of the book, Bushman quotes Quincy as saying the Nauvoo temple architecture is "odd and striking"(p. 504). But Quincy also said the temple was "grotesque"! In short he was not favorably impressed. On page 522 Bushman says "Quincy was surprised to hear Joseph invite a Methodist to preach from a Mormon pulpit." In Quincy's text the Methodist minister was clearly surprised at the invitation. But Quincy does not reveal his reaction to this invitation. Given Quincy's descriptions of the banter between Joseph and the minister, I think it would be more appropriate to say Quincy was at best amused. On page 560 Bushman says "Quincy saw in him `that kingly faculty that directs, as by intrinsic light." Bushman puts a period at the end of this quote when there should have been an ellipsis. The sentence concludes "the feeble or confused souls who are looking for guidance." Why did Bushman suggest that the sentence ended at "intrinsic light"? What was Quincy trying to say by this remark? Quincy clearly recognized Joseph as a natural and charismatic leader. While Quincy acknowledged Joseph's leadership strengths, this apparent compliment has to be tempered by the reference to "feeble or confused souls"? Also consider the Mulhausen and Munster references. I don't think that Quincy was in awe of Joseph, or impressed with Joseph in a positive way. Yet in the paragraph that contains this quote, Bushman is expressing his own sense of awe and marvel at Joseph's life and accomplishments. Bushman is entitled to his view of Joseph. But I don't think he is entitled to suggest that Quincy shared his view. 2. Bushman's discussion of the "View of the Hebrews" as a source for Joseph's writing the Book of Mormon (p. 96), fails to cite B. H. Roberts' extended essay documenting similarities between the two books. My concern is not with the merits of Roberts essay. The problem is that Bushman completely ignores Roberts essay in discussing this topic, as well as Roberts essay on archeological evidence for the Book of Mormon. (p. 92) (Roberts essays are published by Signature Books: "Studies of the Book of Mormon", 1985, [...]) I could cite more problems but I would greatly exceed what I think is the appropriate length for an Amazon review.
    WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
    Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2006
    S
    Verified Purchase
    Scooter Reviews
    Cuba, US
    ★★★★★ 5
    Like a freight train coming through...
    Format: Paperback
    I skimmed through a friend's paperback version and quickly realized that this book would require much more careful reading and study. I bought the Kindle version and spent 2 months carefully going through it. I honestly do not know how I missed this book when it came out and I'm embarrassed that it took me 7 years to find it. Like most LDS readers and reviewers here, this completely different approach to the Prophet's history throws you off while at the same time sucking you in. What's amazing to me is the way that Bushman tackles head-on the "problems" and "difficulties" with LDS history. As my title suggests, Bushman is like a freight train coming through Church history and it is a very welcome middle ground to both the Church version and the anti-Mormon version. As someone who has studied this stuff extensively, there was so much new for me in the book. For example, although I knew about the Zions Camp March, I never had actually learned that the whole expedition was an attempt to take back Jackson County lands by military means. Also present in the book are things that I've wondered but never been able to ask, such as all the different aspects of Joseph's practice of polygamy- including lying to Emma, sex with multiple wives, and marrying women who were already married. Bushman is unflinching and I feel this approach is vital for the internet age. As the "Joseph Smith Papers" continue to get published giving writers the good sources materials, I expect more of this open kind of historical inquiry to be written. Joseph's bad temper, his trusting of untrustworthy people, and his mismanagement of multiple situations need to be studied alongside his incredible accomplishments and daring. I agree with Bushman, who quotes Yale scholar Harold Bloom, that the King Follet discourse is one of the best sermons ever delivered in America. Bushman has a whole section dedicated to this one discourse, the climax of Joseph's theology and given at a time when so many things were going wrong for Joseph. I also agree with Bushman that it is a mystery why the King Follet discourse has not been canonized by the Church since it is equal to or superior to many of the revelations currently in the Doctrine & Covenants. Fantastic book and I would give it more stars if I could. The only drawback for me was that Bushman starts by describing Joseph's grandparents and parents before he gets to Joseph and this part bored me a little, but is important for putting Joseph in his historical context. Bushman's scholarly credentials are top-notch and LDS readers will be surprised at how the depth of Bushman's understanding of American history gives more meaning to early LDS church history. Although a patriarch and devout LDS member, Bushman is also one of the preeminent scholars of American history and it comes through in the book. I can see this being a huge benefit to non-Mormon readers who want to approach Joseph from a historical perspective than a believers' perspective. If you like this, I highly recommend you also read the author's "On the Road with Joseph Smith" which is a diary of Bushman's experiences with the book before and after it's release. Also, read Terryl Given's books starting with "By the Hand of Mormon".
    WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
    Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2012
    A
    Verified Purchase
    Alex Thompson
    Chelsea, US
    ★★★★★ 5
    Very fair and academic
    Format: Paperback
    Very good book. I agree with the authors conclusion and felt the portrayal was both fair and academical.
    WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
    Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026
    C
    Verified Purchase
    C. Rohner
    Natrona Heights, US
    ★★★★★ 5
    As Close As You Will Get To Objectivity
    Format: Paperback
    If you have read "No Man Knows My History," you have to read "Rough Stone Rolling." The former biography was written by Fawn Brodie, a scholar who grew up LDS but left the church disenchanted and not believing that Joseph Smith was what he claimed to be--a prophet. The latter written by Bushman, a practicing LDS scholar who believes that Joseph Smith was a prophet. In the preface of "Rough Stone Rolling," Bushman makes the legitimate point that there will never be consensus on Joseph Smith's character or achievements. Furthermore, he confesses that as a believing historian, pure objectivity is impossible. Nonetheless, I think he comes closer to pure objectivity in this history than any other I have read on Joseph Smith. This has to be one of the best biographies I have ever read. The book is well written, loaded with historical fact, and any assumptions that are made are within detailed, historical contexts. Unlike Brodie's biography, it is very difficult to ascertain Bushman's own opinion. If he had not confessed his belief in the preface, you would wonder. Nowhere does Bushman try to convince you that Smith was a prophet and he is not afraid to explore Joseph Smith's weaknesses and shortcomings as a man. I am a believer so I admit that I may just relate to Bushman better than Brodie. Still, I know many practicing Mormons that would not like this book simply because they have to have Joseph Smith on a pedestal, untouchable, and locked in a glass case. I also know many faithful non-Mormons who believe that a prophet is certainly not a god but is definitely something more than human. Such readers will probably not care for this book either. I believe Joseph Smith was a prophet but I also know he was a man with weaknesses, like every other prophet that came before him. In Bushman's own words, "flawless characters are neither attractive or useful." This is a history of a man; it is not scripture. After boldly claiming heavenly visions, Joseph Smith penned a few great books of scripture that are well worth reading if you really want to explore the faith. Fawn Brodie takes the title for her biography from Joseph Smith's own admission in 1844 that "No Man Knows My History" and paints, in her opinion, the delusion and deceit behind Smith's confession. Bushman takes the title for his biography from Joseph Smith's own admission in 1843 that he is a "Rough Stone Rolling" and gives you the most real, honest, and fair assessment of his life that I have ever read. He gives you the man Joseph Smith, with his strengths and weaknesses, and leaves the opinions to the reader.
    WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
    Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2013
    J
    Verified Purchase
    J. A. White
    Bozeman, US
    ★★★★★ 3
    Comprehensive, but not convincing to this non-believer
    Format: Paperback
    Having previously read Fawn Brodie's , I read this one to get the believer's view. Bushman is at his best describing the evolution of Smith's thinking and revelations. Although the book is long, it is well written and authoritative. It gives a deeper understanding of Smith's religious philosophy than does Brodie's book. To his credit, Bushman confronts many of the crucial controversies surrounding Smith. From my non-believer's perspective, however, the defenses of Smith are not remotely convincing. Some examples: 1. DNA analysis shows without question that the American Indians came from east Asia. This fact is in direct contradiction of the traditional LDS view that Native Americans are lost Israelites. Bushman argues that Smith may have been writing about a small tribe somewhere in New York, or about people outside North America altogether. Within a few pages, Bushman has forgotten about this controversy altogether, and happily describes the Book of Mormon as a history of the American Indians. 2. Smith made the huge mistake of reproducing parts of the hieroglyphics he claims to have interpreted as the "Book of Abraham." These documents have been translated by scholars and have nothing to do with Abraham. Bushman (pp. 291-2) puts forth the argument that Smith's translation may not have been a true translation, but instead may have been a divine revelation simply inspired by the presence of the scrolls. Bushman suggests the same for the Book of Mormon. This is a truly shocking stance for an LDS believer to take: if Smith's "translations" weren't translations, why should anyone believe that his revelations were divinely inspired? Ironically, Bushman's view here sounds much like Brodie's: Not anticipating that scholars would use the Rosetta stone to translate hieroglyphics, Smith imagined that bogus translations would not be found out. 3. Smith repeatedly lied about whether he and the Saints were practicing polygamy. Bushman's defense of Smith in this context reminds me of Bill Clinton's statements regarding Monica Lewinsky: Smith held a secret definition of the term "polygamy," and thus felt free to mislead (or lie) with impunity. The facts, as reported by both Brodie and Bushman, support the conclusion that Smith coerced women into his bed by arguing that their eternal salvation was at stake. The stain of Smith's lustful "revelation" regarding polygamy continues to haunt the LDS, which claims to recoil from earthly polygamy but argues that men (not women) get to have harems in heaven. Despite these complaints, I recommend this book to non-believers who are patient enough to get through it. I feel that I have much greater insight into the LDS mindset than I did before.
    WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
    Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2008

    recommand products