Church History Issues

There are several issues in Restoration history that relate to the Book of Mormon, its origin and setting. The links below offer references and explanations.

For more in-depth discussion of specific narratives, see https://www.ldshistoricalnarratives.com/

For a discussion of Joseph Smith's childhood and the influences that prepared him for his role as translator and prophet, see Joseph Smith - Early years.

Joseph Smith dictated the text of the Book of Mormon to scribes. The document they created is commonly referred to as the Original Manuscript. Most of the Original Manuscript was destroyed by water after it was placed in the cornerstone of the Nauvoo House in Nauvoo, IL. You can see all of the extant Original Manuscript, with a transcript, in the Joseph Smith Papers. The page that contains the earliest known handwriting by Joseph Smith is here:

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/original-manuscript-of-the-book-of-mormon-circa-12-april-1828-circa-1-july-1829/145

The image below shows Joseph's handwriting outlined in red. This is the earliest known example of Joseph's handwriting and indicates that he had good penmanship when he was dictating the text. This suggests he was neither illiterate nor unable to write. Believers take this as evidence that Joseph was prepared by the Lord for his calling as translator and prophets.

The transcript, with brackets providing the missing text:

yea in every citty throughout all [the land whic]h were <was> possessed by the people of Nephi and it came to pass t[h]at <they> did appoint priests and teachers

In modern LDS editions, this passage is from Alma 45:22.

Oliver Cowdery made a complete copy of the Original Manuscript for the use of the printer. It is common referred to as the Printer's Manuscript. You can see the entire manuscript here:

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/printers-manuscript-of-the-book-of-mormon-circa-august-1829-circa-january-1830/3

There are several different editions of the Book of Mormon. For a list of corresponding chapters in various editions of the Book of Mormon, see https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/back/corresponding-chapters-in-editions-of-the-book-of-mormon?p=1

Topics related to the origin and setting of the Book of Mormon

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Origin of the Book of Mormon (translation)

The History of SITH: 1829-2024

Urim and Thummim in 1832

Urim and Thummim in LDS General Conference

U&T vs Seer Stone in Rough Stone Rolling

Translation references

Gospel Topics Essay on Book of Mormon Translation

Oliver returning to the Church-Reuben Miller journal