Reader comments
New Joseph Smith book sells out quickly

James | 2:49 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

Oh yeah, this should bring in the millions for the church. I was lucky and got a copy.

RE: James | 3:20 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

If you are concerned about the church making money on it, don't purchase it. Course, I'm assuming your statement "got a copy," means you didn't actually purchase it.

Rabbi | 3:39 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

why would the church give away the Book of Mormon and charge $50 bucks for a story book about Joey?

Comments continue below

ELM | 4:06 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

This book has been very expensive for research purposes and to go through one of the Nation's top universities' history dept (BYU). The Book of Mormon is free because no one should be exempt from reading about Christ because of age, language, social status, or income. This book is for historical purposes to learn about a man with an exceptional calling. Joseph was a true prophet, what a great opportunity to learn more of what he taught.

Cincinnatus | 4:17 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

Unfortunately, those trying to find it at stores other than Deseret Book and Seagull are going to have a hard time finding it. Deseret Book pulled a fast one and hogged most of the books for its own stores (they own both DB retail stores and Seagull). Other stores have had a difficult to impossible time getting it. But, this is Deseret Book, and that's nothing new.

The Real Rabbi | 4:19 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

Fake Rabbi,
You are trying to start an agruement by calling Joseph Smith, Joey. That was a lame comment. I hope your life isn't as lame as your comment.

John Pack Lambert | 4:20 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

I did not actually read it, but they did recently have an article about the quality methods used in printing the Book. There is also the facts behind the intensive three or more readings of the book to get it to print.
On the other hand, among the things members of the Church donate to with tithing is the Book of Mormon fund. So, you have to remember the Church can give copies of the Book of Mormon away for free because of the generosity of many church members who donate to allow this service to continue.

John Pack Lambert | 4:25 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

Even in this article they mention a little about the special paper used to publish this book.

Mavin | 6:09 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

Special paper? Hmmm... does it contain good green Kool Aid. It is a good way to help get people to adhere to the message. Nice tect.

Books? | 6:18 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

Where do you find them at

Not a Rabbi | 6:41 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

WOW - Unbelievable

vaase | 7:26 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

Someone correct me i am mistaken, the church has given its ok and they feel that it is okay to print the book. But the church has nothing to do or any part to do with the people who put it together and publish it?

Someone lend me a book please! What the heck i'll just take a trip to the provo library.

Preaching to the Choir? | 8:59 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

RE: "..one of the nations top universities' history department (BYU)..."

NOW THAT IS FUNNY!

Sarah Nichole | 10:06 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008

Wow, I guess I wasn't quick enough in getting my copy. Good thing more books will be in soon! I can't wait to read this.

haha | 12:35 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

so Deseret Book made a mistake? shocking.

Jessica | 8:05 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

I'm so excited to read this book! I love learning about the life of this wonderful leader who gave his life in service and love. He had true charity and restored the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. Rough Stone Rolling was a great book for getting inside the times and learning what kind of person Joseph Smith really was and his struggles. It helped me learn how human he really was. I'm excited to learn more from these volumes.

J W Goethe | 8:31 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

Boy, the anti-Mormon trolls came out of the swamp quickly for this one, didn't they?

J.C. | 8:32 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

Who cares about this book....useless information

DennyG | 8:36 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

There is always a market for good fiction.

Anonymous | 9:06 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

To John,

Well if the PAPER is good quality, then the book MUST be TRUE!

Hello? Is anyone home?

Dave | 9:15 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

Get a copy. Read it. Then comment. Posting a comment without having read the material is like smoking in the no-smoking section. You make everyone sick just to feed your own addiction.

A in LA | 1:17 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008

You people need to get a life! Why do so many of you want to stir up contention? Are your lives REALLY that boring? If you are not interested in the book, DON'T read it! The sun will still come up in the morning! I am sure there are many other books - with pictures - you could read. Like so many others, I for one AM interested in reading the book and will do so as soon as I get a copy. I hope that won't ruin your day.

Anonymous | 4:06 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008

It's just a book people. Take it easy.

Emma wants to know | 6:43 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008

I hope that the book offers some insight into why Joe married so many young girls, at least a dozen of his wives were teenagers or child brides, Fanny Alger, Helen Mar Kimball ETC....

Re: Emma | 7:52 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008

Gossip doesn't make fact. The book does talk about polygamy but your version is only poor, rediculous gossip. No records, no dates, no actual witnesses just wishful thinking on your part! He said she said.

C here | 10:29 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008

I've been looking forward to this ever since I heard about it. I just read the story of one of my ancestors. The Doctrine and Covenants converted her because she knew of no person living on the earth who would be capable of writing such a book. Each time I listen to or read the Doctrine and Covenants I feel the same as she. I can't wait to read the Joseph Smith papers, and learn more of his inspired musings.

John Pack Lambert | 11:35 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008

to the 7:26 commentator,
The whole Joseph Smith papers project is being run through the Church History Department, which is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church Historians Press is owned by the Church as is Deseret Book. The project was at BYU before it moved to the Church Historians Office. It has always been under the direction of institutions owned and operated by the Church.

John Pack Lambert | 11:48 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008

This book is not the writting of some modern author. It is volume 1 of about 30 volumes of Joseph Smith's papers. I am sure they will deal with Zelph, polygamy and many other things.
However you have to remember that this is Volume 1 of 30, so it will not address everything contained in the papers of Joseph Smith.

Sarah Nichole | 8:52 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008

Re: Anonymous | 9:06 a.m. Dec. 9, 2008

"Well if the PAPER is good quality, then the book MUST be TRUE!

Hello? Is anyone home?"

Apparently you need to read things a little more closely before you comment on them. The paper being good quality means the price is higher than an average book. Since people were complaining about the price, when the Book of Mormon is given away for free, the comment has a lot of merit. It had nothing to do with the veracity of the book, just the price.

Jim | 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 2008

I am tired of closed minded Mormons and closed minded Evangelicals. Joseph Smith interesting to me but I do not pretend to know everything he did was right or wrong. I am tired of people pretending they know just because they are Mormon or not Mormon. These papers might be interesting because they might shed light on things regardless of your position. Bias needs to end. Just the facts please.

Leon | 6:11 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009

...and that's exactly what it is: the facts, or what was recorded back then. As I understand it, no commentary, no bias, etc.; just primary source documents from 100+ years ago. Read it, and then decide what to believe, or not.

This book | 6:18 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009

For those of you on here who are either jealous or angry about this book. Write your own book and sell it if you can! It's called supply and DEMAND! Just because this book has a huge demand,you don't like it? What's wrong with you?

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