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I’m a historian in Cincinnati, focusing on the antebellum period. This paper, superbly well done!
Regards,
Bonnie Williams Speeg
Great job on the article. It was well researched and had a lot of interesting facts about church history that could have otherwise been forgotten. I loved the diagrams and the images that you found, it was interesting to see the different buildings of that time period. Amazing to read of all the efforts made to have the third edition printed.
Jon, I’m not a Book of Mormon expert, scholar, or historian. See the response I gave to Michael W. above. I’ve heard that only 500 of the 5000 first editions are accounted for. I have also wondered if there might be some of them still cached around Palmyra. If I were part of a mob trying to get the plates and couldn’t, then the next thing I’d want to do is to destroy the inventory. Missionaries probably came back to Grandin’s to re-stock their satchels. To deflect the threats, were the books moved and cached maybe to different spots around Palmyra, like Martin Harris’ farm, etc. and are some of those caches still undiscovered?
Interesting article. From a collector’s standpoint, how rare and valuable are the different editions of this period? Did many survive?
Jon, I’m not a Book of Mormon expert, scholar, or historian. See the response I gave to Michael W. above. I’ve heard that only 500 of the 5000 first editions are accounted for. I have also wondered if there might be some of them still cached around Palmyra. If I were part of a mob trying to get the plates and couldn’t, then the next thing I’d want to do is to destroy the inventory. Missionaries probably came back to Grandin’s to re-stock their satchels. To deflect the threats, were the books moved and cached maybe to different spots around Palmyra, like Martin Harris’ farm, etc. and are some of those caches still undiscovered?
I’m glad to see more of this kind of research being done on these aspects of church history! One thought I had was regarding the statement that the church uses the 1981 printing of the scriptures today. While that is true, since many (perhaps most) members including me use the 1981 print version; however, for new print copies post-2013 and in the digital editions there is a new edition in use. The point is probably still true that Joseph’s revisions for the preparation of the third edition were relevant to this newly revised edition as well, but I don’t have any sources for that. I know they thoroughly consulted research from the Joseph Smith Papers, which surely includes his revisions to the 2nd edition in preparation for the 3rd.
Michael, great comment. I’m not a Book of Mormon expert as some are; my interest was merely to fit this location puzzle together, I think mostly leftover energy from my reporting days ten years ago in Iraq: maps, photos, and texts putting intel pieces together in a readable formats.
I was pleased to see this article come to fruition.
Obviously a great deal of time and effort went into
the gathering and compilation of the historical
material presented by its author. Congratulations
are in order.
Dale
ps — Since URLs at my websites are case-sensitive
in most web-browsers, the address for the Cowdery
family locations map Chris made use of is specifically:
http://olivercowdery.com/family/Cdrygen3.htm
A remarkable piece of Church history I had no inkling of. Thank you for ferreting out this information. Brother Robinson’s revelation, and its exact fulfillment, is a testimony of God’s hand in the going forth of the Book of Mormon. He was a man who was prepared to receive, understand and carry out that revelation. May we all be equally prepared to place our talents at the disposal of the Lord.
Raymond, it was a long-buried spiritual treasure I hope will get more play for its pure testimony of the truthfulness of the work. Ebenezer’s solid testimony is tangible! (be sure you read Endnote 51 where he testifies again).
Well researched and written.
I hadn’t thought about the lack of copies of The Book of Mormon in the early days of the Church with membership (demand) growing more rapidly than supply.
What a great blessing this was to members then and us today with the prophet Joseph’s corrections.
Steve, I’m glad you had the chance to read this little known story of Ebenezer Robinson’s mission. I appreciate your positive feedback because I totally value your opinion and knowledge of things as they are. Thank you, friend! What a big hole in Mormon history and spirituality we’ve had by Ebenezer’s story being almost unheard of by Church members.
Thank you very much Brother Chris Miasnik! This is a beautiful addition to the truth and value of the Book of Mormon. It carries the witness of truth by the Spirit. I am blessed greatly to have read it.
Thanks Michael. I felt the same way reading Ebenezer Robinson’s testimony. It is powerful. Be sure to read Endnote 51 where he bears it unequivocally again.
Chris
Thanks for the article. Anything concerning the history of the publication of the Book of Mormon is wonderful to read.
Interesting. Good work