Essentials in Church History by President Joseph Fielding Smith has become essential in Latter-day Saint homes as a companion volume to the four standard works of the Church, which it helps explain historically and spiritually.

This volume relates succinctly the development of the Church. In addition, President Smith has included in the appendix the various quorums of the General Authorities in chronological order. Moreover, in giving the names he has included the birth and death dates, and the year when each was called into Church service in these capacities.

President Smith has discussed the vital doctrines and revelations to the Church in order to explain them in their historical context as well as their spiritual values. He includes all of this material in order to help build and increase testimony. Essentials in Church History is a book that no Latter-day Saint home should be without.