A note from th’editor:
Parley P. Pratt’s dialogue constitutes several firsts and mosts in Mormon literature. Among them, it is the first work of fiction, the most widely distributed work of Mormon art in the nineteenth century, and perhaps the most fun of the first-generation works to read today.
When I took over here at Irreantum, I wanted to do a special issue celebrating the dialogue’s 175th anniversary. But I was late taking my seat and there has been some confusion about exactly when it was first published (be sure to check out Kent Larsen’s essay on the dialogue’s history to get this straightened out for yourself), and other miscellaneous excuses. But finally we are here.
To me, the dialogue was early proof that Mormon lit can provide unique pleasures, and, each time I have bumped into it over the years, I still admire it. The goal, for me as editor, was to increase this pleasure by asking working artists to respond to this foundational work.
I invited five people to craft work for this issue—and asked them each to invite one more person. The Mormon arts community is smallish, yet much larger than we sometimes think. My hope is that this invitational method has led to names appearing in Irreantum that otherwise might not have.
A couple notes:
First, 18.1’s banner is a detail from the illustration David Habben created for this issue, which you will discover below.
Second, when you read the dialogue, be sure to click on the image of the devil’s handbill to see Pratt’s work in its original situ.
Third, I’m experimenting with getting money to this issue’s participants through Kickstarter. The campaign will only be live for eight days, so head over now to see what I’m doing with feathers.
And welcome to all!*
* even you liars, swindlers, thieves, robbers, incendiaries, murderers, cheats, adulterers, harlots, blackguards, drunkards, gamblers, bogus makers, idlers, busy bodies, pick pockets, vagabonds, filthy persons, hireling clergy and their followers, and all other infidels and rebellious, disorderly persons
Joe Smith and the Devil
Parley P. Pratt
PREPARED AND WITH NOTES BY KENT LARSEN
—
Second Brother
Madison Beckstrand
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Fears’ Accomplice
Lindsay Handley
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Just Phantoms
David Habben
Todd Robert Petersen
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Sympathy for the “Devil”
Roxy Rawson
T.A.M.
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Anne and All the Silver-Tongued Devils
EC Buck
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Well Distributed, Forgotten, and Often Misunderstood:
The Importance of Pratt’s Joe Smith and the Devil
Kent Larsen
Download the epub of 18.1:
