The History and Significance of the Original Book of Mormon Manuscripts
An overview of the earliest handwritten texts of the Book of Mormon, their journey through time, and why they remain crucial today.
- The Original Manuscript is the first handwritten dictation of the Book of Mormon, dictated by Joseph Smith to various scribes.
- Only about 28% of the Original Manuscript survives today due to significant water damage.
- The Printer's Manuscript is a nearly complete copy of the Original, made to prepare the text for typesetting and publication.
- These manuscripts are invaluable for understanding the Book of Mormon's translation, transmission, and textual history.
The Original Book of Mormon Manuscripts refer to the earliest handwritten copies of the Book of Mormon text. Primarily, these include two distinct sets of documents: the 'Original Manuscript,' which was dictated directly by Joseph Smith to his scribes, and the 'Printer's Manuscript,' a copy made from the original specifically for the typesetter of the first edition.
The Original Manuscript: A Race Against Time
Between 1828 and 1829, as Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, various scribes, including Oliver Cowdery, Emma Smith, and Martin Harris, wrote down his words. This initial, dictated text became known as the Original Manuscript. To protect it from potential theft or damage, Joseph Smith later deposited the majority of this manuscript into the cornerstone of the Nauvoo House in Illinois in 1841. However, this location proved to be disastrous. Over decades, water seeped into the cornerstone, causing significant damage and decay to the fragile paper. Today, only about 28% of the Original Manuscript survives, mostly in fragmented pieces, carefully preserved by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Printer's Manuscript: A Complete Copy for Publication
Before the 1830 publication of the Book of Mormon, Oliver Cowdery made a complete, handwritten copy of the Original Manuscript. This copy, known as the Printer's Manuscript, served two main purposes: it provided a clean, legible text for the printer to set type from, and it acted as a backup, protecting the Original Manuscript from potential loss or damage during the printing process. Unlike its predecessor, the Printer's Manuscript remained remarkably intact. It was eventually acquired by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ) in 1903 and later purchased by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2017, making it almost entirely extant.
- **Original Manuscript:** First dictation, fragmented (approx. 28% extant), stored in a cornerstone.
- **Printer's Manuscript:** Scribe's copy of the Original, nearly complete (99% extant), used for 1830 publication.
These manuscripts are profoundly significant for several reasons. They offer a direct window into the early days of the Book of Mormon's translation and publication, allowing scholars to study the earliest forms of the text, track changes, and understand the scribal process. For believers, they provide tangible evidence of the book's origins and a deeper appreciation for its transmission. The meticulous preservation and study of these documents, notably through initiatives like the Joseph Smith Papers Project, underscore their importance as foundational texts for understanding Latter-day Saint history and scripture. They allow for textual criticism, providing insights into potential copying errors, editorial choices, and the evolution of the text over time, ensuring a rigorous and transparent approach to the Book of Mormon's textual history.
Sources
- Joseph Smith Papers Project website
