The 1830 Book of Mormon

This e-text of the 1830 Book of Mormon follows the verse numbering of the
later Utah version. The original chapter divisions are inserted into the
text in braces, for example, {Chapter 1} and so on. The search facility can
be used to locate these chapter divisions.

The verse divisions were inserted by software, by comparing the text with
the later version, and inconsistencies may be present in the text. Please
e-mail such problems, and others, to the address located in the Alexandria
README file. Please remember that spelling variations occur even among
different copies of the 1830 version.

The original preface is as follows -

		      THE BOOK OF MORMON:

	   AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF MORMON

		    UPON PLATES TAKEN FROM

		     THE PLATES OF NEPHI.

Wherefore it is an abridgment of the Record of the People of
Nephi; and also of the Lamanites; written to the Lamanites,
which are a remnant of the House of Israel; and also to Jew and
Gentile; written by way the commandment, and also by the spirit
of Prophesy and Revelation. Written, and sealed up, and hid up
unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed; to come forth
by the gift and power of God, unto the interpretation thereof;
sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come
forth in due time by the way of Gentile; the interpretation
thereof by the gift of God; an abridgement taken from the Book
of Ether,

Also, which is a Record of the People of Jared, which were
scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the
people when they were building a tower to get to Heaven:  which
is to shew unto the remnant of the House of Israel how great
things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may
know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off
forever; and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that
Jesus is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting Himself unto
all nations. And now if there be fault, it be the mistake of
men; wherefore condemn not the things of God, that ye may be
found spotless at the judgement seat of CHRIST.

			  ----------

		   BY JOSEPH SMITH, JUNIOR,

		    AUTHOR AND PROPRIETOR.

			  ----------

			   PALMYRA;

	    PRINTED BY E.B. GRANDIN FOR THE AUTHOR.

			     1830.

Northern District of New-York, to wit:  BE IT REMEMBERED, That on
the eleventh day of June, in the fifty-third year of the
Independence of the United States of America, A.D. 1829, JOSEPH
SMITH, JUN. of the said District, hath deposited in this office
the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as author, in
the words flowing, to wit:  "The Book of Mormon:  an account
written by the hand of Mormon, upon the plates taken from the
plates of Nephi. Wherefore it is an abridgement of the Record of
the People of Nephi; and also of the Lamanites; written to the
Lamanites, who are a remnant of the House of Israel; and also to
Jew and Gentile; written by way of commandment, and also by the
spirit of Prophesy and of Revelation. Written, and sealed up,
and hid up unto the Lord that they might not be destroyed; to
come forth by the gift and power of God, unto the interpretation
thereof; sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord,
to come forth in due time by the way of Gentile; the
interpretation thereof by the gift of God; an abridgement taken
from the Book of Ether. Also, which is a Record of the People of
Jared, which were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the
language of the people when they were building a tower to get to
Heaven:  which is to shew unto the remnant of the House of
Israel, how great things the Lord hath done for their fathers;
and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are
not cast off forever:  and also to the convincing of the Jew and
Gentile, that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting
Himself unto all nations. And now if there be fault, it be the
mistake of men; wherefore condemn not the things of God, that ye
may be found spotless at the judgement seat of Christ.--By
Joseph Smith, Jun. Author and Proprietor."

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States,
entitled, "An set for the encouragement of learning, by securing
the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and
proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned;"
and also the act, entitled, "An act supplementary to an act,
entitled, "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing
the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and
proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned,
and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing,
engraving, and etching historical and other prints."

	R.R.LANSING,
	Clerk of the Northern District of New-York.

			   PREFACE.

To The Reader--

As many false reports have been circulated respecting the
following work, and also many unlawful measures taken by the
evil designing persons to destroy me, and also the work, I would
inform you that I translated, by the gift and power of God, and
caused to be written, one hundred and sixteen pages, the which I
took from the Book of Lehi, which was an account abridged from
the plates of Lehi, by the hand of Mormon; which said account,
some person or persons have stolen and kept from me,
notwithstanding my utmost exertions to recover it again--and
being commanded of the Lord that I should translate the same
over again, for Satan had put it into their hearts to tempt the
Lord their God, by altering the words, that they did read
contrary from that which I translated and caused to be written;
and If I should bring forth the same words again, or in other
words, if I should translate the same over again, they would
publish that which they had stolen, and Satan would stir up
their hearts of this generation, that they might not receive
this work:  but behold, the Lord said unto me, I will not suffer
that Satan shall accomplish his evil design in this thing:
therefore thou shalt translate from the plates of Nephi, until
ye come to that which ye have translated, which ye have
retained; and behold ye shall publish it as the record of Nephi; 
and thus I will confound those who have altered my words. I will not 
suffer that they shall destroy my work; yea, I will shew unto them 
that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the Devil.  Wherefore,
to be obedient unto the commandments of God, I have, through his
grace and mercy, accomplished that which he hath commanded me
respecting this thing. I would also inform you that the plates
of which hath been spoken, were found in the township of
Manchester, Ontario county, New-York.

			  THE AUTHOR.
