Daniel Arlon Vogel is an independent researcher, writer, and author on a number of works that include . and is most known for his work on Early Mormon Documents.
Vogel was awarded the BestBook awardin September 2004 by the John Whitmer Historical Association and the Turner-Bergera Best Biography award by the Mormon History Association in May 2005 for his biography . Vogel argues in the biography that Joseph Smith was a pious fraud—that Smith essentially invented his religious claims for what he believed were noble, faith-promoting purposes. Vogel identifies the roots of the pious fraud in the conflict between members of the Smith family, who were divided between the skepticism and universalism of Joseph Smith, Sr., and the more mainstream Protestant faith of Lucy Mack Smith. Vogel interweaves the history of Joseph Smith with interpretation of the Book of Mormon, which is read as springing from the young man's psychology and experiences.
Reception
Vogel's scholarship on the topic has been debated by Mormon apologists and scholars who have stated that he is critical of Mormon faith claims. He has also been criticized by ex-Mormons and anti-Mormons for not being sufficiently critical of Joseph Smith. Larry Morris praised his efforts to produce the multi-volume Early Mormon Documents. Many of Vogel's books have been critically reviewed by members of FARMS, a Mormon apologetics institute. For example, in 1991, Mormon religion professor and FARMS scholar Stephen E. Robinson suggested that Vogel's arguments closely resemble those of Korihor, an atheist polemicist in the Book of Mormon. In the LDS historical community, Vogel's work has received significant recognition. In 1997, Vogel received the "Best Documentary Editing/Bibliography Award" from the Mormon History Association for Volume 1 of Early Mormon Documents. Vogel's 2004 biography of Joseph Smith received the highest award for such works from both the John WhitmerHistorical Association and the Mormon History Association. LDS history journals have reviewed most of Vogel's publications. A typical summary: "Despite its idiosyncrasies, Early Mormon Documents remains the most useful collection of documents on the early movement available to researchers. Its unconventionality may actually magnify its importance, not diminish it."
