You are here

Book of Mormon Central / Archive / Becoming a People of the Books: Early Converts and the Book of Mormon

Becoming a People of the Books: Early Converts and the Book of Mormon

TitleBecoming a People of the Books: Early Converts and the Book of Mormon
Publication TypeVideo
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsJohnson, Janiece L.
Date Published2 October 2018
PublisherNeal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Place PublishedProvo, UT
KeywordsBook of Mormon; Conversion; Early Church History; Missionary Work; Revelation; Smith, Joseph, Jr.; Translation
Abstract

As Joseph Smith’s translation of the Book of Mormon neared completion, he assured close associates that “a great call for our books” had already commenced. Fresh leather-bound copies of the first edition were published and sold beginning March 26, 1830, before the translator had become prophet, before a new church had been founded. How did its initial readers respond to this “Golden Bible”? Was it counterfeit or divine? Was it the “greatest piece of superstition” or a “revelation from God”? What would it be to them, personally? How did early Latter-day Saints develop a relationship with this new scriptural text?
Citation Key4838

Terms of Use

Items in the BMC Archive are made publicly available for non-commercial, private use. Inclusion within the BMC Archive does not imply endorsement. Items do not represent the official views of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or of Book of Mormon Central.