Preface to the Book of Mormon

Title

Preface to the Book of Mormon

Publication Type

Chart

Year of Publication

1999

Authors

Welch, John W. (Primary), and Welch, Greg (Primary)

Number

14-166

Publisher

Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies

City

Provo, UT

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.

Bibliographic Citation

Abstract

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."

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