Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"Smith, Joseph Fielding
History
Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"
Smith, Joseph Fielding
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- History
Soon after the completion of the translation and the securing of the
copyright, the Lord commanded that Oliver Cowdery should transcribe
the entire manuscript, and that in furnishing copy to the printer, the
second copy should be used, and that only sheet by sheet, as the type
should be set up. It was further provided that in going to and from
the printing office, there should always be a guard to protect the
manuscript, and that a guard should be placed at the home constantly
to watch and protect the translation from evil disposed persons. These
precautions were necessary because of the malicious opposition which
prevailed in and about Palmyra, where the work was done. At times
attempts were made to get the manuscript from the possession of Joseph
and those who, with him, had the work in charge.
One man, named Cole, more cunning than the others who opposed the
work, devised the plan of anticipating the publication of the book.
Cole, an ex-justice of the peace, was printing a paper which he called
_Dogberry Paper on Winter Hill_. He had announced to his subscribers
that he would furnish them weekly installments of the Book of Mormon in
his paper. Having access to the Grandin printing office, he commenced
his publication by working on Sundays when the office was closed.
In this manner he was able to publish a number of issues containing
garbled extracts from the printed sheets of the Book of Mormon. As the
copyright was secured, he was warned and finally stopped from this
method of stealing. The work of printing the book continued, but not
without interruption, for great pressure was brought to bear upon the
printer who was threatened by enemies of the latter-day work, with
a withdrawal of trade that would ruin his business. This came near
to breaking the contract. However, after some delays, the book was
finished some time in the spring of 1830, and made ready to go forth,
as the Nephite prophets had foretold, to the Gentiles and then to the
house of Israel as a voice speaking out of the dust.
Notes
1. 2 Nephi 27:12-13. Ether 5:2-4. Compare John 8:16-18.
2. _History of the Prophet Joseph_, p. 139. Lucy Smith
3. _An Address to All Believers in Christ_, David Whitmer. Compare
_Millennial Star_, 43:301.
Chapter 11
Revelation on Doctrine and Church Government
1829-1830
Revelation to the Witnesses
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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