The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
On the 179th anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith (June 27, 1844), the Church Historian’s Press released the final print volume in its landmark 27-volume work, “The Joseph Smith Papers,” which got underway in June 2001.
The project brings together Joseph Smith’s surviving papers, including the foundational documents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, into an easily accessible collection. The comprehensive collection, available online (for free) and in print, includes complete transcriptions, helpful introductions, annotations and extensive reference material.
The culmination of the print edition now completes an essential resource for scholars and students of Smith’s life and work, early Latter-day Saint history and American history and religion. Principal documents featured in the 27 volumes include 1,306 journal entries, 643 letters and 155 revelations.
Philanthropists and business leaders Gail Miller and her late husband, Larry, recognized the importance of the Joseph Smith Papers project early on and supported the legacy project for a period of more than 20 years.
Thanks to this project, Gail Miller said, “Joseph Smith will be known by billions.”
With the Millers’ generous support, the Church of Jesus Christ hired a large team, including PhD-educated historians and professional editors, to produce the Joseph Smith Papers. These are now the most reliable resource available for understanding Joseph Smith and the foundations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Joseph Smith, the first president and prophet of the Church, lived from 1805 to 1844. He left an extensive literary record that provides a fascinating window into the early days of the Church he founded.
To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
