The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-08-03
THE BOOK OF MORMON.
Comparing the Palmyra Edition with
the Original Manuscript.

RICHMOND, Mo-, July IA There
IRE in this city engaged in an arduous
TASK, whose presence is attracting
much attention, the following named
gentlemen: Reverend Joseph Smith.
President of the Reorganized Church
Of Jesus Chris. OF Latter-day Saints;
Rev. Alex. II. Smith, of Independ-
ence, who has charge OF the PACING
Slope Mission. q brother OF Rev. Joseph
Smith; Rev. w. 81. Kelly, OF Kirt-
land, O., who has charge of the mis-
sion composed of Michigan, Northern
Ohio. Western New York, and West
ern Pennsylvania; Rev. 7. W.Smith,
of independence, Mo, missionary In
charge of the Australian Mission and
Society Islands. The three last
named gentlemen constitute com.
mittee appointed at the General Con-
ference of the reorganized church,
held at 6tewartsville, this State, last
year, to compare the Palmyra edition
and also the present edition OF the
Book of Mormon with the original
manuscript copied from the plates
from which tho Palmyra edition was
printed by the request of Father
Whitmer, of this city. Rev. Joseph
Smith, who is editor OF the Saints
Herald, published at LEMON, To-, is
assisting the committee in its work.
The Palmyra edition of the Book OF
Mormon was the first one published,
and in the later editions slight changes
were made, occasioning discrepancies
but more especially in the grammar,
by reason of which the General Con-
ference ordered a comparison with
the original manuscript to see how
these changes occurred. The Palmyra
edition was printed al Palmyra, NY.
| in 1880, and the present edition was
printed Piano. ILL.,, in 1874. These
gentlemen will report their fndings
to the General Conference, to be held
at independence, next April. The
scyibes who wrote this original manu-
script were Christian Whitmer, Mar
| tin Harris, Emma Smith, (Wife oil
Jcseph) and Oliver Cowdery. the latter
being the principal scribe, and wost
of the work is in his handwriting, the
work being done under the direction
OF Joseph Smith, from the plates
The manuscript remained In the
possession of Mr.. Cowdery until hi
death, which occurred in this city IL
1849, and whose remains were Inferred
in the old cemetery about half mile
from town. After his death ths
manuscript was committed to Father
Whitmer's keeping, and has since
remained in his possession.
The manuscript was shown TO the
Globe Democratic correspondent. Ii
is written on paper somewhat smalle
than what is termed foolscap, and
very easily read. It is written or
both sides OF the paper. Rev. JOSEPH
Smith, OF the SAINTS Herald, said
while calling your correspondent
|, attention to marked features or pecu
! liarities, "Are you printer" ant
: being told Eyes" asked what rea
: son your correspondent could give 70
!, some of the pages being cut in piece
If that was any evidence tina
printers bad ever handled it,. "YeI
SIR" replied your correspondent, IS
was cut into takes" ''and," adde
i Mr.. Smith, sit is written on bot
J. sides, the printers abomination.
g One very marked popularity is con
), corning the word "and" which unlel
used st the beginning OF the sentenc
Il is never spelled out, the character &
J. being substituted. As has been sal
h the manuscript can be very easily q
st ciphered. and would put the CHR
lie grsphy of many modern writers
,e shame. The proper names are cor
es menced with capitals, and the gel
r, fences are closely punotuated. Fl
c. parchment upon which 1t is write
ID shows some evidence OF age. but Il
r, ink ia undimmed.
es This companion has been col
ti- temblated for some years, but or
er recently has the body which Il
tn committee represents learned OF
ei exact location of the manuscril
ID These gentlemen are members OF t
ris Latter Day Saints, an entirely distir
sd organization from the Utah Ohurt
en- with which it has nothing in CO.
he mon. During their stay heie
ms Reverends Smith have held servi
led near town, and will hold furtl
yle meetings, the work upon which th
he are engaged OBTAINING them ur
bis tomorrow. Rev. Joseph Smith. ol
to q week ago, dedicated a church
CT Independence, Mo-, which starts
he with 35e actual communicates. Tn
nd gentlemen are all fine looking
his pleasant and agreeable in their or
al versation. They deny endeavorinG
aad get possession of the papers in
ny, Whitmer's keeping Il Special
Ter, patch to toe Globe Democrat.
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