LDS Church Acquires Book of Mormon Printer’s Manuscript from the Community of Christ

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has acquired the printer’s manuscript of the Book of Mormon from the Community of Christ, formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The record-setting purchase price of $35 million came wholly from donors. The announcement of the sale was made on Wednesday evening (September 20, 2017) by both churches simultaneously.

The printer’s manuscript is the most complete copy of the original manuscript of the Book of Mormon dictated by Joseph Smith to several scribes. The printer’s manuscript is a handwritten copy of the original manuscript. Smith provided it to the printer, E. B. Grandin, in Palmyra, New York, in 1830, and Grandin used it to set the type for the first edition of the Book of Mormon (Deseret News).

The printer’s manuscript is the earliest surviving copy of about 72 percent of the Book of Mormon text, as only about 28 percent of the earlier dictation copy survived decades of storage in a cornerstone in Nauvoo, Illinois,” said Elder Steven E. Snow, LDS Church historian and recorder, in an LDS Church news release.

Elder Snow expressed appreciation to the anonymous donors who funded the purchase.

The LDS Church is making plans to display the manuscript for the public at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City later this year, its release said.

More Details about the Sale

The Mormon Church and the Community of Christ have enjoyed a cooperative relationship for the past several years after going their separate ways from the Nauvoo period. This relationship has been especially close due to the work of historians from both churches working to complete a detailed history of the restoration.

The manuscript had been offered for sale by the Community of Christ to cover deficits that have hampered the growth and sustenance of their church. In a Q&A in the form of a PDF (linked below), the Community of Christ described the decision to sell the document to its own members:

The Presiding Bishopric [of the Community of Christ], along with its consultants, systematically evaluated what the artifact’s market would pay for this manuscript. The Presiding Bishopric [of the Community of Christ] proceeded with the sale because it was confident the offer price represented an appropriate value for the manuscript. The $35 million price is the highest ever paid for a manuscript. By comparison Bill Gates bought the Leonardo da Vinci Codex Leicester in 1994 for just under $31 million.

Church leaders know that letting go of this document will cause some members sadness and grief. We feel sad, too. However, the church’s use of the Book of Mormon as scripture and our appreciation and respect for our history are not dependent on owning the Printer’s Manuscript. Letting go of this document does not affect the rights of Community of Christ to publish and protect the copyrights of its editions of the Book of Mormon. When a decision had to be made, we chose the well-being of people and preserving the current and future mission of the church over owning this document.

Since the manuscript has been in Community of Christ’s possession, the LDS church has joined us in several conservation projects to protect and preserve this manuscript, which is important to both our faith movements. We are pleased to transfer stewardship of this important document to those who will treasure it and continue to care for it for future generations (Community of Christ Q&A).