[Illustration: THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF JESUS TO THE NEPHITES. Copy of painting by Wm. T. Armitage in the Logan Temple.] THE STORY OF THE BOOK OF MORMON. BY ELDER GEORGE REYNOLDS. _Author of "The Myth of the Manuscript Found;" "Are we of Israel?" Treatise on "The Book of Abraham;" "Dictionary of the Book of Mormon;" "Concordance of the Book of Mormon."_ "Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven."--_Psalm, LXXXV, 11._ FOURTH EDITION. PRESS OF HILLISON & ETTEN CO. CHICAGO Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1888, by GEORGE REYNOLDS In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. PREFACE The Book of Mormon is the record of God's dealings with the peoples of ancient America, from the age of the building of the Tower of Babel to four hundred and twenty-one years after the birth of Christ. It is the stick of Ephraim, spoken of by Ezekiel: the Bible of the western continent. Not that it supersedes the Bible or in any way interferes with it, any more than the history of Peru interferes with or supersedes the history of Greece; but, on the other hand, in many places it confirms Bible history, demonstrates Bible truths, sustains Bible doctrines, and fulfills Bible prophecy. For many years we have taken great pleasure in perusing its sacred pages and studying its truths. The more we read it the more we found it contained. Like other inspired records, every time it was opened we discovered new and oft-times unexpected testimonies of its divinity. From reading it we turned to writing of it; and much that this volume contains has been penned at various intervals, from the days we were in prison for conscience sake, where portions were written, to the present. And now we present it to the reader with the feeling that the work is but commenced; that what remains unsaid is probably as important as what is given, but with the hope that what we have done will not prove ineffectual in spreading the truth, in increasing knowledge concerning God's dealings with mankind, and aiding in the development of the purposes of Jehovah. If this be accomplished we shall feel that great has been our reward.