Were miracles required to print the first edition of the book of mormon. Their plan for a first printing of 5,000 copies of the book of mormon was ambitious. The first edition, printed in 1830, is most precious to members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints because joseph smith, the faiths. The bible, the most salable book, was on occasion printed in a 10,000copy. With a sixfigure price tag, most people might be surprised to learn that on a list of the ten most expensive mormon books, a first edition book of mormon does not rank at the top. The book of mormon was first published and sold at the bookstore of e. The same article reported the highest price paid for a firstedition book of. Collecting the book of mormon by joseph, smith first edition. Title page of the first edition of the book of mormon 1830. 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.
Discusses the publication of the first edition of the book of mormon, including the printing process and local reaction to the book. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. It was agreed upon that 5,000 copies were printed by e. The earlier loss of 116 pages of the book of mormon manuscript together with rising antagonism in the palmyra area persuaded joseph and his followers to guard the text during printing. Garen counter pick lolzera melhor portal sobre league. First edition book of mormon 1830 moons rare books. But among the many recorded miracles, including an angel.
In this article, i will survey the printing history of the book of mormon in the english language, focusing on the first edition of 1830 as well as on the other editions that were published before joseph smiths death in 1844. Grandin in palmyra, new york, a bustling city along the erie canal. To the inside front cover are affixed four clippings of descriptions of different versions of first edition copies of the book of mormon and of an 1854 edition of the. Using the 1830 bible as a guide, the first edition book of mormon was replicated to look the same so people of that time period would easily recognize it. After securing a for the book of mormon on june 11, 1829, joseph smith jr. Latterday saints have from their beginning believed that a series of miracles led to the coming forth of the book of mormon. Examine the book of mormon as a historical printed artifact. The book of mormon and the growth of printing in america. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. The ten most expensive mormon books meridian magazine. Oliver cowdery produced a printers manuscript, a copy of the original for use in the printing process. The incredible story of the first printing of the book of. The first book of mormon was published in 1830, where 5,000 copies were printed by e. First edition book of mormon history moons rare books.
To print five thousand copies of the first edition of the book of mormon, the printer would have needed at least 185,000 sheets of paper, not counting any mistakes or extras. 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. For the first edition of the book of mormon, joseph smith jr. How one utah rare book collector acquired a first edition book of.
Grandin printed and sold the first copies of the book of. 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. May 1829 smith and cowdery relocate to whitmer farm in n. Book of mormon historic publication site wikipedia. In fact, from start to finish, the first edition of the book of mormon was made by. July 1828 martin harris loses 116 pages of manuscript of the first part of the book of mormon translation, often referred to as the book of lehi. Book of mormon, 1830, page 0 the joseph smith papers.