Book of mormon printing process

Many people close to the process were moved by the book s message and eagerly waited for a renewing of old covenants and the restoration of christs church. The book of mormon historic publication site is a historic site located in the village of palmyra. This lesson was hard to put together because there is so much that can be taught about moronis visit, the gold plates, the witnesses, the translation process, joseph marrying emma that was part of the preparation of receiving the plates, the printing process, etc. Book of mormon for use in the critical text project. The book of mormon was originally printed in 1830 by e.

The printing process, as the editors of jsp, d1 suggest, might thus also offer a clue to the source of the number 116. The historical narrative surrounding the book of mormon witnesses presents a labyrinth of conflicting statements, many provided decades after the fact by those not present during the events. Timeline of the book of mormon translation scott woodward. The original press used by grandin to print the book of mormon, is currently located in the church history museum in salt lake city, utah.

The original press used by grandin to print the book of mormon, is currently. Over 500 stunningly beautiful photographs combine with quotes, stories, charts, commentary, maps and scripture to introduce the reader to the rapidly mounting body of evidence that presents the very real possibility. Ron romig narrates the investigation into the printers manuscript, and larry draper explains how the press sheets for the 1830 edition reveal overlooked details of the printing process. It is insightful to explore the circumstances and motivations of the smith family both before and after bringing forth the work. Grandin building and the original printing of the book of.

The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Peterson interpolates evidence from skousens research to show the divine manner in which the book of mormon came forth. He was a compositor typesetter for the deseret news newspaper in salt lake city, when it was still typeset by hand in the 1950s. He was josephs most prolific scribe, one of the three witnesses, and oversaw the printing process, for which he recopied the entire book of mormon by hand. Designed for multiple use as study guides, handouts, and masters for creating projectable images, the charts convey a wealth of information that will enrich personal study and. To print the book, grandin used a smith improved printing press, which had first appeared on the market about 1821 and was the most uptodate press available to the small printer of the day. Go behind the printing of the first edition of the book of. Joseph smith retained control over the printing and distribution.

An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the. Second floor of the grandin building where the binding of the pages of the book of mormon was done. Soon afterward that process would be replaced with the linotype machine which pours hot lead to form an entire line of type at a time, and which was set by an operator at a typewriter keyboard. The original manuscript is the dictated manuscript the scribes wrote down as joseph smith translated the book of mormon. Oliver remained involved in the founding events of the church and became one of the first missionaries to. The coming forth of the book of mormon religious studies. A small group of believers supported joseph smith through the book of mormon translation process, but none of them had experience in publishing. The earlier loss of 116 pages of the book of mormon manuscript. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. As joseph smith and oliver cowdery were working on the translation of the book of mormon in harmony, pa, in april and may 1829, martin harris above, later in life seems to have been actively working to determine law and process and starting conversations about printing the book.

For example, the prophet joseph smiths history of the church passes over the printing in one phrase. He wrote the booklet, miracle on palmyras main street, the year before he died. Organized in 1830, the church had recently issued february 2000 the one hundred millionth copy of the book of mormon, the volume that has been central to. Draper explains the stereotyping method of printing that was used for the 1840 cincinnatinauvoo edition and the 1852 liverpool edition of the book of mormon. A commentary on the doctrine and covenants and other modern revel ations salt lake city, ut. Joseph could neither have written nor directly translated. The crandall museum has a working copy of the printing press used to print the original 5,000 copies of the book of mormon, and it was on this that they tried to duplicate the original process. Now published for the first time ever, the manuscripts help you discover the original phrasing of the book of mormon including hebrewlike expressions, provide surprising evidence on the process by which joseph smith translated, and show how editors and printers have modified the wording to make it conform to the expectations of contemporary. A treasured testament church confirms rockhat method. Printing paper used in the first editions of the book of mormon was a softer, machinedmade paper that did not need moistening. John gilberts 1892 account of the 1830 printing of the book of mormon. Printing of the book of mormon began later that year. The 116 pages of the book of lehi were borrowed and then lost by martin harris. Whilst the book of mormon was in the hands of the printer, we still continued to bear testimony.

We set a full16 pages of the book and then printed. Late in march 1830, a notice in the palmyra, new york, newspaper appeared announcing the recent publication of the book of mormon. This process includes evidence from the two book of mormon manuscripts. Discusses the publication of the first edition of the book of mormon, including the printing process and local reaction to the book. Joseph and emmas first child, alvin, was born but died shortly thereafter. The p rocess of translating the book of mormon j oseph fielding mcconkie prof essor of ancient scripture, byu c raig j. It allows visitors the chance to see how the printing process worked. Grandin, the remarkable technology used, and what was sacrificed.

Go behind the printing of the first edition of the book of mormon. A printing history of the book of mormon 101 the year 2000 marked an important event in the publishing history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. This book is a quick and enjoyable read about the book of mormon, how it orginated, how it has been received, and how it has been interpreted and valued throughout the years. The top of page 117 in that copy marks the beginning of the book of mosiah, which. Joseph smiths attempts to profit from the book of mormon continued through its publication. In the unfolding book of mormon text, joseph smith found answers to some of the questions that had brought him to the sacred grove as a 14yearold boy. Joseph remains with emma for two weeks after the death. It is necessary to understand something about the printing process at the time to appreciate some of the logistic details that caused weight to conclude that miracles must have been occurring. The original grandin printing press, now sitting in the museum of church history and art in salt lake city, was used to print the first copies of the book of mormon in 1830. Uncovering the original text of the book of mormon. The prophet joseph smith did not leave us a detailed account of the daily translation process of the book of mormon but said it was accomplished through the mercy of god, by the power of god.

Many people close to the process were moved by the books message and eagerly waited for a renewing of old covenants and the restoration of christs church. Printing and publishing the book of mormon securing the copyright. The printing of the book of mormon would seem like a mundane process, undeserving of special attention. It was the culmination of a threeyear translating and printing process that would ultimately stamp palmyra as the birthplace of mormonism. Exploring the book of mormon in americas heartland book. The lds church confirms, while many printers were content to publish. The initial book of mormon wordprint studies were carried out by larsen, rencher, and layton.

Journal of the book of mormon an other restoration scripture 21, no. It tells the story of the book of mormon, from joseph smiths translation of the sacred record to the process of financing and printing the first edition, and concludes with its message rolling forth to many nationsto every kindred, tongue, and people. When exploring the circumstances and motivations of the smith family before and after the publication, it becomes clear that joseph smiths intentions were always to. Grandin printed and sold the first copies of the book of mormon. Third floor of the grandin building showing how the type was utilized. In the museum exhibit case, next to the original manuscript page, is an uncut proof sheet from the first printing of the book of mormon, which includes the title page. One might wonder with the printingselling of millions of copies of the book of mormon, greed for deprived royalties would stimulate someone to lay claim that his relative wrote it. Book of mormon printing history showcased in storied provo. One of the bigger errors occurred on the title page, which includes the preface written by moroni. With the exception of a couple of minor quibbles, it was a very readable, balanced, wellwritten introduction to the book of mormon from a pretty neutral perspective. Draper also describes the printing process of the book of mormon, which process was made clearer because of skousens project. His usual procedure was to dictate to a scribe while he translated from the plates.

Understanding the process of publishing the book of mormon. A printing history of the book of mormon mormon historic sites. The sacred book of scripture shed light on a darkened world. Gordon weight was well qualified to make the calculations he did of just what it would take to print the book of mormon in 1830. Beautiful working replica of the original eb grandin acorn printing press that was used to print the first book of mormon. Learning as they went, joseph smith and his associates worked to secure a printers services, finance the printing process, and respond to local opposition to publish the sacred record. It is titled exploring the book of mormon in americas heartland a visual journey of discovery. From our modern day perspective, it seems that the printing of the book of mormon would be an obvious success, but the true history varies greatly from the popular lds narrative.

The oilbased ink used in printing at the time made better imprints when the paper was slightly moistened, which added the timely step of drying before a sheet could be flipped over to print on the reverse side. The replica press is found at the crandall printing museum in provo, utah. This page count may be an approximation based on the page numbering found on the printers manuscript of the book of mormon. They compared twentyfour book of mormon authors each having at least 1,000 words to each other, and concluded on the basis of three separate statistical tests that these authors were distinct from each other and oliver cowdery, joseph smith, jr. Many of these events are covered in the extra activities to do during the week. Early on, joseph smith convinced 1 martin harris that together they would make money publishing the book of mormon. The book of mormon has attracted significant attention since its first printing in 1830. Spread of newspaper presses tied to the rise of political parties. The manpower, the paper, ink, ink balls and hours of work. Book of mormon publication site palmyra 2020 all you. Book of mormon charts charting the book of mormon is a collection of more than 175 visual aids that promote deeper understanding and appreciation of the book of mormon.

Printers manuscript of the book of mormon, circa august. The book of mormon and the growth of printing in america. Evidence of these pins comes from the holes they created and the rust marks left by the heads of the pins. After the type was set for 16 pages, the 16page form now usually called a signature was. Printing the book of mormon crandall historical printing. The wonderful crandall historical printing museum in provo, utah, undertook in january 20 to reenact the original printing of the book of mormon. Where in cincinnati was the third edition of the book of. Grandin building and the original printing of the book of mormon. Its discovery adds a visual element to the testimony of ebenezer robinson in regard to the guiding hand the lord provided for the printing of the book of mormon at a time when resources were scarce in the church. Larry draper describes his role in providing royal skousen with copies of various early editions of the book of mormon for use in the critical text project. Besides joseph smith, few people were as involved in the bringing forth of the book of mormon as oliver cowdery. Book of mormon historic publication site wikipedia. Weight, who died in 2004 at the age of 72, is another case in point.

Locating the site of the third printing of the book of mormon is more than a trivial exercise revealing historical minutia. Part 2 contains the text of the book of mormon from alma 36 through moroni 10, statements of book of mormon witnesses, and reference material, including a chronology, a biographical register, and a table documenting how the printers manuscript was used in printing the 1830 and 1837 editions of the book of mormon. Rather than go into full detail, ill list each of the. Book of mormon printing arrangements printing the book. What may interest you is that there are twenty distinct editions of the book of mormon beginning with the first printing in 1830, and culminating with the current edition, first set and printed in 1981. The translation of the book of lehi is completed, resulting in 116 pages of translated text.

Here at the crandall printing museum, we attempted to see what it would be like to print 5,000 copies of the original 1830 book of mormon. Adherents to the mormon faith have revered it, critics have questioned its authenticity and scholars have approached it from multiple disciplines, such as literature, anthropology and archeology. The book of mormon printing miracle its about time. The book of mormon historic publication site is a historic site located in the village of palmyra, wayne county, new york, united states. During 182930, a copy of the original manuscript was made. No other text like the book of mormon exists anywhere. The printing of the book of mormon was truly a miracle. John gilberts 1892 account of the 1830 printing of the. Printing the book of mormon crandall historical printing museum. Many of the largeprint runs of the book of mormon have. Draper explains the stereotyping method of printing that was used for the 1840 cincinnatinauvoo.