"The following compilation has been induced by the repeated solicitations of several friends of the publisher, who are desirous to be put in possession of the very important articles contained therein. Most of the revelations composing this work were published at early periods of the Church, when the circulation of its journals was so very limited as to render them comparatively unknown at present, except to a few who have treasured up the productions of the Church with great care from the beginning. A smaller portion of this work has never before appeared in print; and altogether it is presumed, that true believers in the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith will appreciate this little collection of precious truths as a Pearl of Great Price, that will increase their ability to maintain and to defend the holy faith by becoming possessors of it." 2. _Book of Moses:_ The Book of Moses published in the Pearl of Great Price, is a revelation of the ancient prophet's writings to Joseph Smith, which began to be given to the prophet in June, 1830, just after the Prophet and the disciples of the Church he was founding had passed through the very trying period of persecution, and in his history the Prophet introduces it in the following language: "Amid all the trials and tribulations we had to wade through, the Lord, who well knew our infantile and delicate situation, vouchsafed for us a supply of strength and granted us line upon line of knowledge, here a little and there a little, of which the following was a precious morsel." Then follows part of the Book of Moses, published in the Pearl of Great Price, History of the Church, Vol. 1, pp. 98-101. Another fragment from the Book of Moses appears in the same work at pp. 133 to 139, being an extract called the Prophecy of Enoch. The Prophet Joseph at this time was engaged in the revision (sometimes called a translation) of the Hebrew Scriptures. Referring to those revelations concerning historical events of ancient times, he remarks: