num_pages: 440
description: Joseph Smith the founding prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and of the broader Latter-day Saint movement produced several volumes of scripture between 1829 when he translated the Book of Mormon and 1844 when he was murdered. The Book of Mormon published in 1830 is well known. Less read and studied are the subsequent texts that Smith translated after the Book of Mormon texts that he presented as the writings of ancient Old World and New World prophets. These works were published and received by early Latter-day Saints as prophetic scripture that included important revelations and commandments from God. This collaborative volume is the first to study Joseph Smiths translation projects in their entirety. In this carefully curated collection experts contribute cutting-edge research and incisive analysis. The chapters explore Smiths translation projects in focused detail and in broad contexts as well as in comparison and conversation with one another. Authors approach Smiths sacred texts historically textually linguistically and literarily to offer a multidisciplinary view. Scrupulous examination of the production and content of Smiths translations opens new avenues for understanding the foundations of Mormonism provides insight on aspects of early American religious culture and helps conceptualize the production and transmission of sacred texts. 
language: English
title: Producing Ancient Scripture: Joseph Smith's Translation Projects in the Development of Mormon Christianity
publisher: University of Utah Press