Preface to the Book of Mormon

Written by the Prophet Joseph Smith, the preface to the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon is not included in the current edition, for the preface already served its purpose. At the time he wrote it, Joseph needed to explain the 116 lost manuscript pages and why the book of Lehi was not retranslated. This preface also served to dissuade enemies of the Book of Mormon from their evil designs. Most important, the preface contains Joseph Smith's personal attestation that he translated the book "by the gift and power of God."