Reader comments
Auction to feature first-edition Book of Mormon

who cares, and who would want it?

Many people.

Dear James Stowe. What a strange thing to say. I would like to have had the book and so would many many others.

i lived in that area and once came across such items when clearing out some old houses ,good for these people..i hope they are shared because of the sacrifices made and i am not a member but have respect for anything good.

James, you apparently cared enough to read the article.

I don't think Joseph Smith would have ever imagined this. He thoughts the words in the book were priceless. But the paper it was written on?

I would love to have a first edition of the Book of Mormon. And if I ever discovered that I had one in my things given me that have been passed down I would never give it up and I would hope my family wouldn't either after I pass on. It's priceless.

Camille: Actually there is a price: $110,000

You can get a copy at Church Distribution for $2.00

In 1985 I visited Zion's Book store and was able to see 16 1st edition Books of Mormon in Sam Wellers desk (safe). At the time I could have bought one for $5,000. I declined and now realize what a mistake I made. To James....I would!

I have to admit, the motivation to spend that much money on an old book escapes me, unless it is for the investment value.

"Missouri-based rare book collector John Hajicek, who owns 80 1830 editions of the Book of Mormon..."

seems like a sick obsession to me, but on the other hand, it's his money.

I would like to compare it to what the modern books of mormon say - for that it has value to me - the ever changing docturine is very interesting to me.

That was a interesting article to read, have to say to Emma, you go girl, you are the top seller. In all honesty, I would rather have the $2.00 one that I can open and read, I would be afraid to touch a 180,000 one.

People like James Stowe show that those who are disenchanted with the church can't help reading about it and commenting about it. I believe that they are free to their opinion. However, if this posting area of the Deseret News becomes the atheist's dream posting site like the Salt Lake Tribune, I will no longer read it.

I would be interested in a 1830 edition of Book Of Mormon. But I can't afford for such a huge amount. I would use to compare with the recent version of Book Of Mormon, and see the modifications myself.

The Book Of Mormon now seems to be pricer than the original golden plates.

For those of us whose ancestors lost all they had, suffered Governor Boggs' Extermination Order, the Haun's Mill Massacre, the burning of their homes in Nauvoo, and the migration across the Great Plains, so that this particular book could survive and see print, it represents a link to our own history, and our own families. It's something tangible, much like a loved heirloom that has been passed down generation after generation in any other family. How much would you pay, for example, if you could own a piece of your family history from 175 years ago? Something that your ancestors fought and died to preserve? Maybe a flag from the War of 1812 held by a great-great grandfather who died in the battle, or an original copy of the Declaration of Independance signed by a great-great-great uncle? Perhaps this book doesn't mean anything to Mr. James Stowe, or anyone else who doesn't have a personal connection to it. But there are many of us who would give up much to have it, just as our own ancestors gave up much to make sure it existed in the first place.

Being a non mormon living in Utah I would love to have something like this. And It's the same thing as having a Babe Ruthe rookie card. To each their own! I think it's quite interesting and thank you for posting this. I'm sure all the critics out there would like to have one of the first prints of the bible. Same thing.

Is this book historical or fiction?

did I read that front page correctly? Dose it say "Joseph Smith Junior, Author and Proprietor"? Doesn't the "new" one read "translated by"?

How do they know that there are 250 copies yet to be accounted for? Seems like if they are yet to be accounted for, they wouldn't know how many there were!