A Documentary History of the Book of Mormon

Compiled by Larry E. Morris

First single-volume collection of documents to focus exclusively on the origin of the Book of Mormon
A compilation of both first- and secondhand accounts relevant to the inception of the Book of Mormon
Documents cited include family histories, journal entries, letters, affidavits, reminiscences, interviews, newspaper articles, and book extracts, as well as revelations dictated in the name of God

A Documentary History of the Book of Mormon

Compiled by Larry E. Morris

Description

A Documentary History of the Book of Mormon presents the first extensive study of the primary sources chronicling the origin of the long-ridiculed narrative that has now been reprinted more than one hundred and eighty million times in one hundred and ten languages.
The scores of documents transcribed and annotated in A Documentary History include family histories, journal entries, letters, affidavits, reminiscences, interviews, newspaper articles, and book extracts, as well as revelations dictated in the name of God. These texts tell the captivating story of what happened (and what was believed or rumored to have happened) between September 1823 — when the seventeen-year-old farm boy Joseph Smith announced that an angel of God had directed him to an ancient book inscribed on gold plates — and March 1830, when the Book of Mormon was first published. From the late 1820s to the present, the controversy — as well as the curiosity — has never ceased. By bringing together for the first time a substantial compilation of both first- and secondhand accounts relevant to the inception of the divine revelation — or clever fraud — that launched a new world religion, A Documentary History makes a highly significant contribution to the rapidly growing field of Mormon Studies.

A Documentary History of the Book of Mormon

Compiled by Larry E. Morris

Introduction
One: "He Appeared unto Me Three Times in One Night"
Joseph and the Angel: September 1823-September 1826
Two: "The Same Heavenly Messenger Delivered Them Up To Me"
Joseph and the Plates: September-December 1827
Three: "I Cannot Read a Sealed Book"
Martin Harris's Venture to Eastern Scholars: February 1828
Four: "I Stood Alone, an Unlearned Youth"
The Translation Begins: April-June 1828
Five: "I Have Lost My Soul"
Martin Harris and the Missing Manuscript: Summer 1828
Six: "It Is Marvelous to Me"
Interlude: Autumn 1828-March 1829
Seven: "Days Never To Be Forgotten"
The Translation: April-May 1829
Eight: "I Often Sat By and Saw and Heard Them Translate and Write for Hours Together"
The Translation: June 1829
Nine: "An Angel of God Came Down from Heaven"
The Three Witnesses: Late June 1829
Ten: "The Appearance of Ancient Work, and of Curious Workmanship"
The Eight Witnesses: Late June 1829
Eleven: "Written by the Hand of Mormon"
Publication of the Book of Mormon: June 1829-March 1830

A Documentary History of the Book of Mormon

Compiled by Larry E. Morris

Author Information

Compiled by Larry E. Morris

Larry E. Morris, formerly an editor with the Joseph Smith Papers, is the author of The Fate of the Corps: What Became of the Lewis and Clark Explorers after the Expedition, named a History Book Club selection and an Outstanding Academic Title by Choice. Morris has published articles in such periodicals as The Missouri Historical Review, American History, the Journal of Mormon History, BYU Studies, and We Proceeded On.

A Documentary History of the Book of Mormon

Compiled by Larry E. Morris

Reviews and Awards

"Larry Morris...has provided the world with this fine collection of primary historical sources relevant to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon....This book fills an important need in Latter-day Saint scholarship...This book belongs on the shelf of every library..." - John W. Welch, Brigham Young University, BYU Studies Quarterly

"Morris has produced an extremely commendable documentary history, of particular use for those more interested in the circumstances surrounding the Book of Mormon's emergance" - Joseph Spencer, Journal of Mormon History

"Morris offers a concise volume to start considering the genesis of the Book of Mormon ... This collection is certainly useful in its collation of relevant sources surrounding the origin of the Book of Mormon in a single volume and allowing the reader to analyze for herself" - Janiece Johnson, Mormon Studies Review

"Thus, this compilation, apart from its merits for printing some handwritten sources for the first time, can be seen as an indispensable tool for scholars and teachers working on the Book of Mormon, as it brings together essential texts on the topic published in various places, assiduously annotated with the purpose of giving first hand aid for further research. This volume is likely to set a new standard for studying all questions related to the history of the Book of Mormon." - Hans Gerald Hödl, University of Vienna, Religious Studies Review

"This book is important not just because it's a one-volume collection of documents pertaining to the Book of Mormon, but also because it points out the strengths and weaknesses of published interpretations of the documents. Morris writes with an engaging style that makes it a pleasure to read. And he has selected a very interesting collection of documents. Anyone wanting to learn more about the history of the Book of Mormon should definitely consider this book." - FairMormon

"No other source contains in one volume such a comprehensive view of all the relevant documents to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Larry E. Morris has provided an invaluable resource for researchers and interested parties." - Cheryl L. Bruno, Association for Mormon Letters

"I especially valued Morris' introductions and explanatory notes and maps, which were concise but extremely clear ... I would recommend this book to anyone looking to understand the origins of the Book of Mormon through a new, unfiltered lens. The raw historical materials are refreshing and immensely interesting." - Steve Evans, By Common Consent