Joseph Smith’s Descriptions of the

Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon

Presentation by
Scott H. Faulring
Research Historian, Smith Institute, BYU
Progress Report—Update:
Papers of Joseph Smith Project
 Greatly Expanded Series–Comprehensive in
Scope
 Cooperative Effort between the LDS Church
Historian’s Office and the Larry H. Miller Group
 Dean C. Jessee, General Editor
 Multiple Volume Editors, usually 2-3 per vol.
 Multiple Series:
 Journals, 3 vols. (1832-1844)
 Documents, approx. 8-10 vols. (chronological)
 Legal Papers, 2-3 vols. (by jurisdiction)
 Political & Civic Papers, 2 vols.
 Historical Writings, 7-9 vols.
Where Do We Find Joseph’s
Descriptions?
 What Are the Limitations?
 Four Standard Sources:
 Joseph Smith’s 1832 Autobiographical
Sketch
 Joseph’s 1835-1836 Journal
 Manuscript History of the Church, ca.
1838
 Wentworth Letter, 1842
Where Do We Find Joseph’s
Descriptions? (cont.)
 More Obscure Sources:
 Letter to Oliver Cowdery, 1829
 Preface, Book of Mormon, 1830
 D&C 20:5-12, Spring 1830
 D&C 27:5-13, Fall 1830
 Letter to Editor, 1833
 Answers to Questions, 1838
Letter to Oliver Cowdery, October 1829
Preface, Book of Mormon, March 1830
D&C 20:5-12, Spring 1830
D&C 27:5-13, September 1830
Joseph Smith’s 1832 Autobiographical Sketch
Letter to Editor, January 1833
Joseph Smith’s 1835-1836 Journal – Interview, 9 November 1835
Manuscript History of the Church, Bk A-1 (ca. 1838)
Questions Asked of Joseph, 1838
 Question: “How, and where did you obtain the book of
Mormon?”
 Answer: “Moroni, the person who deposited the
plates, from whence the book of Mormon was
translated, in a hill in Manchester, Ontario County
New York, being dead, and raised again therefrom,
appeared unto me, and told me where they were; and
gave me directions how to obtain them. I obtained
them, and the Urim and Thummim with them; by the
means of which, I translated the plates; and thus
came the book of Mormon.”
 Source: Elders Journal 1/3 (July 1838): 42-43
Wentworth Letter, 1842 (pub. in Times & Seasons)