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MormonTimes.com: A closer look at the Joseph Smith Papers

I really have enjoyed the last few articles on the Project. This one is outstanding as it really explains the process and quality of the work being done. I look forward to the first volume in December. It will be a great volume for those that wish to study and understand the aspects of Joseph Smith.

I wonder if the Church is able to include documents that are not in their possession? For example, it would be wonderful if the break off churches such as the Reorganized could add their Joseph Smith documents to this project. We know that when the Saints left for Utah many documents stayed with the Smith family or others who stayed behind. If the common goal is simply to compile as much as possible as accurately as possible you would think different sources could work together to make this project as complete as possible.

I do not attribute bad intentions but do wonder what would happen if something truly negative was discovered. Negative in the sense that it would cause some to doubt the Gospel. I wonder if there is a process of running that sort of thing by GAs before just adding it?

When the project is finished, will the papers be available online to non-historians?

I am really looking forward to getting my hands on the fruits of this work. I am glad the producers are going through such a painstaking process to ensure precision and correctness.

Having the literal source of Joseph Smith's writing on hand will go a very long way in dispelling myths about early church history.

All of the Presidents of the United States have their "papers" archived, indexed, and put in libraries. Due to issues of national security, much of what is included in those papers is sealed for a minimum of 50 years.

The Church leaders are trying the same thing with Joseph Smith. It is presumptuous to treat Joseph Smith in any way similar to a President of the United States. He was a small, cult leader whose megalomaniacal lust for power and young women destroyed him. His papers are no more valuable than David Koresh's papers, or the papers of Rev. Jim Jones. They are an historical curiosity and that is all.

Documents Elsewhere?:
"I wonder if the Church is able to include documents that are not in their possession?"

Check out the Joseph Smith Papers website. Here's the answer to your question from their site:

"Have any documents been excluded?

This comprehensive project will publish all known, accessible documents that meet the project�s criteria as Joseph Smith documents. The project has complete access to the archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ. Some documents are in the possession of families or individual collectors, and all will be published for which permission and access can be obtained. Some documents are routine or repetitive, such as forms or certificates, and only samples of those will be published in paper, but all will be listed in a calendar of documents and all will eventually be published online. For example, Joseph Smith signed hundreds of missionary licenses, but only a few samples will be included in the published volumes."

I hope there will be no editing which will remove 'controversial' discoveries. I would really like to see the Council of Fifty meeting notes finally released, for example.

I hope they are authentic. I wonder how much has been destroyed?

Will any of his papers from the Kirtland Bank be included? Maybe a copy of one of hius $3 bills.

The JS Papers will never be published, not because the Church doesn't want to publish them, but because the people working on them will never get it done. They're incredibly slow. We will all be dead before they get anything done. (I used to be a project manager for them.)

To: Anonymous 9:11: Man, you are a pathetic person. All anyone can do is feel sorry for you.

I am suspicious of what will be cleared for release. For many years the church has obtained documents and archived them, presumably for the purpose of removing controversial ones from public circulation. Even looking at what we have now, it is clear that controversial ones have been deleted from official church histories, yet they can be found in publications by other historians, some who are members of the church. In other words, to be blunt, the church carefully manages information, keeping important stuff from us. Now this is absolutely true and I know it will cause many of you to be angry. Sorry about that.

How about his polygamous wedding records to young girls and other mens' wives? Will they be included? If he didn't have the cajones to tell Emma Smith about them, is the Church going to do so now?

do the papers expound on Mr. Smith's thoughts f why he wanted to craft the BOM?

For all of you asking if the JS Papers will include "X" damning evidence, I ask you this:

What if those "damning papers" are never published because they never existed or cannot be found, will you still claim the LDS Church is hiding something?

At what point do you draw the line and admit that the LDS Church is being forthcoming about it's history? If an NHPRC endorsement of the project isn't enough, when do you look in the mirror and ask yourself if you are being fair in your judgements?

Just a gut check...

Nice try Thinker.

Joseph was the prophet of the restoration! He didn't craft the BOM he translated it.

Read it. I dare you! You'll find out.

I did read it.

I remember something someone said once about Joseph Smith's name being had for good and evil. I guess they were correct.

I read it, too, actually several times. And the more I read it the "goofier" it got. Me and Mark Twain could never really get into it.

I read it, too.

And just like the Baptist Church's sign said...
"Don't pray about the Book of Mormon, that's how they get you."

They got me, and I've never been happier. The BOM is a wonderful book of TRUTH.

The rest is history.