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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

More about "The Book of Mormon: The Original Manuscript: Typographical Facsimile of the Extant Text" edited by Royal Skousen at Amazon.com

and

More about "The Book of Mormon: The Printer's Manuscript: Typographical Facsimile of the Entire Text in Two Parts" edited by Royal Skousen at Amazon.com