Description

In Unsettling Scripture: Iroquois and the Book of Mormon, anthropologist Thomas W. Murphy delves into the visions of Seneca prophet Handsome Lake, the epic narratives of the Iroquois Confederacy, and the origin story of the Book of Mormon, revealing surprising parallels between Indigenous and Mormon traditions.

Through ethnohistorical research and decolonizing methodologies, Murphy re-examines how both communities understand their origins, faith, and prophecy. From Handsome Lake’s revelations to Joseph Smith’s seer stone, from ancient sibling rivalries to the Great Peace, this book unsettles traditional narratives while opening new conversations on scripture, identity, and cultural exchange. Drawing from living Indigenous voices, Unsettling Scripture challenges readers to rethink sacred texts and the histories they tell.

Ganesh is an independent historian, former bishop, and author of Joseph Smith: The Architect of Mormonism. A lifelong student of faith and history, he brings a unique perspective from his diverse background in business, psychology, education and church leadership across New Zealand and the American West. When not researching 19th-century religion, he can be found sailing, traveling, or enjoying Wellington’s adventure scene with his wife Lyndi.

Thomas W Murphy is author of Unsettling Scripture: Iroquois and the Book of Mormon. He has a PhD in anthropology from the University of Washington and is past president of the Mormon Social Science Association. He was named the Conservation Teacher of the Year for the state of Washington and is the recipient of the Mae Parry Best Indigenous Studies Award from the Mormon History Association, the Suzanne Geisner & Jerry Mogg Best Theological Article from John Whitmer Historical Association and the Best Article in Scripture and Theology from the Dialogue Foundation.

Jason Palmer holds a PhD in anthropology from the University of California, Irvine. He is author of Forever Familias: Race, Gender, and Indigeneity in Peruvian Mormonism, winner of Best Book on International Mormon History from the Mormon History Association.

Donald Patrick Bradley, Sr. (“Don”) is an author, historian, and dad with an M.A. in History from Utah State University. He has worked with the earliest Joseph Smith sources as part of the Joseph Smith Papers Project. He has published on Joseph Smith’s polygamy, the First Vision, the earliest Mormon understandings of the New Jerusalem, the Kinderhook plates, Joseph Smith’s skeleton and photographic image, and Joseph Smith’s “grand fundamental principles of Mormonism.” His first book is The Lost 116 Pages: Reconstructing the Book of Mormon’s Missing Stories (Greg Kofford Books, 2019). He is the infinitely proud father of Nicholas Bradley and the late Donnie Bradley.

Sarah Newcomb is an editor and writer who focuses on Indigenous identity, history and current events, as they intersect with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Newcomb is Tsimshian of the First Nations from Metlakatla, Alaska. She currently resides in Dallas, Texas with her husband and four kids. Some of her work can be found on the website LamaniteTruth.com. Na̱smhawksu na adawg̱a Ts’msyen – I believe and trust the stories of our people.