STT Press Publisher

An intimate, documented portrait of the Prophet Joseph Smith

The Heart
of Joseph

The Heart of Joseph, hardcover edition by Robert B. Thompson

The Covenant Heart of the Prophet Joseph Smith

His life was the lesson.

Move past the arguments and sit with the man himself — his words, his heart, his character, and his covenant.

Featured this year in the STT Press Collection

The STT Press Collection — this year's featured titles
Inside the book

Meet Joseph Smith through his heart.

The Heart of Joseph is a revealing portrait — intimate and documented — of the heart, character, and soul of Joseph Smith. Across five sections and twenty-three chapters, each uncovering a distinct aspect of his character, readers discover not simply what Joseph taught, but who he was — and how the way he lived became its own kind of teaching.

Those who read carefully may find themselves, almost unexpectedly, seeing the hand of God and the grace of Jesus Christ woven through this remarkable man.

5distinct sections
23documented chapters
2complementary voices
Everysurviving letter to Emma
Joseph Smith: Five

From the visible man to the covenant heart

Organized from the external to the internal, the five parts follow Joseph from physical presence and personal gifts toward character, relationship, moral life, and finally his higher eternal calling.

I

Physical & Spiritual Gifts

His commanding presence, indomitable strength, abilities, and gifts.

II

Temperament & Emotional Character

His joy, playfulness, resolve, vulnerability, and response to opposition.

III

Relational & Social Dimensions

His friendships, family bonds, loyalty, affection, and life with Emma.

IV

Moral Character & Attributes

His generosity, mercy, charity, courage, and willingness to give of himself.

V

Spiritual Capacity & Prophetic Gifts

His revelations, prophetic calling, spiritual power, and eternal purpose.

How the portrait is built

Two voices bring Joseph into the room.

The first voice

Those who knew him

Firsthand accounts, reminiscences, and observations surround the narrative like remembered voices at the edge of the room — allowing friends, family, associates, and observers to describe the Joseph they actually encountered.

The second voice

Joseph himself

His own declarations, candid journal entries, unguarded phrases, and every surviving letter he wrote to Emma open windows into his tenderness, burdens, loyalty, faith, and the covenant that held when distance and danger pressed hardest.

“Physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually — a living human multitude.”

— Truman G. Madsen

Readers meet a man who challenged ministers to jumping contests after besting them in scripture, who stooped in a muddy street to clean the shoes of two frightened children, who wept in prayer for those who had turned against him, and who gave of himself — coat, cane, time, and ultimately life — without reservation.

This is history at human distance: close enough to hear the remembered voices, read Joseph's own words, and consider the heart behind them.

Also new from STT Press

Jesus the Christ (Annotated) — Simple and Clear Wording

The message of Talmage's classic, brought into simple, clear wording and annotated for today's reader — easier to follow, easier to understand, easier to share.

Jesus the Christ (Annotated): Simple and Clear Wording
New release

Jesus the Christ (Annotated)

Simple and Clear Wording

A newly annotated edition that retells the life and mission of Jesus Christ in plain, modern wording — built for readers meeting the story for the first time, and for longtime readers who want it in clearer language.

  • Simple, clear wording — the classic text reworded for easy, modern reading.
  • Annotated — notes throughout to guide and clarify the reading.
  • A companion volume — pairs naturally with the original 1915 text, also part of the STT Press collection.
Buy direct

Currently available in hardcover and paperback on Amazon. Additional formats and retailers will join over time.

Jesus the Christ, 1915 edition hardcover by James E. Talmage

Also in the collection: the original 1915 Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage, restored in a large hardback edition — available now on Amazon.

On the horizon

Coming soon from STT Press

In active production now — titles and translations moving toward release.

New title

Elder Iatobo

The testimony and true story of James S. Brown

New title

Consider It

The purpose of life and the conversion process

New title

Claim It

The life of a disciple of Jesus Christ and the blessings claimed

Spanish edition

El Corazón de José

Who is this book for?

The believing reader. The curious reader. The honest skeptic.

For anyone who wants to encounter Joseph as a complete person rather than a flattened icon or a catalogued controversy. The text is supported by notes and references in Chicago style, but written to be read — not merely consulted.

Read The Heart of Joseph

Choose your edition

Hardcover, paperback, and ebook editions are available through major book outlets.

Hardcover

A premium edition, beautifully bound.

Buy direct Amazon Barnes & Noble
In stores & at events

Bookstore availability and upcoming live events — TBD, details coming soon. Ask your local bookstore to special-order using ISBN 979-8-9967461-0-1.

Paperback

A high-quality edition for study and sharing.

Buy direct Amazon Barnes & Noble
In stores & at events

Bookstore availability and upcoming live events — TBD, details coming soon. Ask your local bookstore to special-order using ISBN 979-8-9967461-1-8.

Further ahead

Coming later from STT Press

Early-stage titles in development.

Behold Thy Christ

What Was Restored?

Saved From What?

Saved To What?

The Testimony of Mark

The Message of Joseph

The Anti Series: Giddianhi

The Anti Series: Korihor

The Anti Series: Nehor

The Anti Series: Sherem

Ask, Seek, Knock

“I do not dwell upon your faults, and you shall not upon mine. Charity, which is love, covereth a multitude of sins, and I have often covered up all the faults among you.” — Joseph Smith