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By Kent Larsen
Book of Mormon Manuscripts Published for the First Time
PROVO, UTAH -- "Publishing the original and printer's manuscripts is
arguably the most important work FARMS has ever been involved in it's
a harbinger of landmark research to come in the Book of Mormon
analytic text series," says Daniel Peterson, FARMS Chairman of the
Board.
These volumes help interested readers discover the original phrasing
of the Book of Mormon (including Hebrew-like expressions), provide
remarkable insight into the process by which Joseph Smith translated,
and show how editors and printers have modified the wording to make
it conform to the expectations of contemporary English readers.
The original manuscript is the text written down by scribes as Joseph
Smith translated the Book of Mormon. Most of this manuscript was
destroyed by mold and water seepage. Only 28 percent of the original
is extant. The printer's manuscript is the handwritten copy made to
take to the printer for typesetting. It is virtually 100 percent
extant.
The volumes feature the following:
- Typographic facsimiles of each manuscript (an exact reproduction of the text in typescript)
- A fragment showing what is considered the oldest existing sample of Joseph Smith's handwriting
- Color and ultraviolet photographs of select parts of the manuscripts
- A history and physical description of the manuscripts
Source:
Book of Mormon Manuscripts Published for the First Time
Mormon Village 9May01 A3
By Cami Hurst
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