Deseret News | Book of Mormon tally tops 140 million

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Book of Mormon tally tops 140 million

interesting.... | 8:08 a.m. Aug. 29, 2008

that 140 million copies have been distributed, but there are only 13 million members of record and less than 1/2 of them are active......

It really proves the point.... | 8:14 a.m. Aug. 29, 2008

that the word will go forth throughout the world!

Apples and oranges... | 8:56 a.m. Aug. 29, 2008

"Interesting" makes an interesting point, but still is actually comparing apples and oranges. The press release on LDS.org says that there have been 140 million copies distributed since original publishing in 1830. If you are going to compare that number to members of the Church, you would have to add up the total number of members since 1830 to today, and also add in all other groups, such as the Community of Christ, that accept the Book of Mormon.

Comments continue below

yes, it IS interesting | 9:00 a.m. Aug. 29, 2008

Prior comment said: "interesting...that 140 million copies have been distributed, but there are only 13 million members..."

That's a pretty impressive percentage -- for every 10 books, there is a member of the church.

A print advertising campaign with a 10% response rate would be hugely successful. Also, consider that: (1) membership in the church is a huge commitment and (2) members frequently have multiple copies of the book.

Fredd | 10:20 a.m. Aug. 29, 2008

I have received multiple copies, none solicited, all thrown away. This means nothing. Sorry.

kenny | 10:34 a.m. Aug. 29, 2008

I do not think there is a return on investment factor regarding copies of the BOM to the number of current church members.The reason 140 million copies distributed thus far is because the Lord has commanded his church,his people to do just that and more.Its not about a publishers bottom line.Its about the will of the Lord in spreading the gospel to the Gentiles and then the Jews. People who are critical here have not a clue because they dont have a testimony of this work.The church may look like a business but it is really Gods Kingdom here on earth.

Fredd | 11:36 a.m. Aug. 29, 2008

I wish you all the best. I don't believe but that doesn't mean you shouldn't.

OiS | 3:20 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008

It is amazing to witness the fulfillment of prophecy. This is talking about print copies only, right? How many copies of BOM software have been distributed? How many BOM audio tapes/CDs/MP3s/etc. have been distributed? What about BOM readers for children/illiterate adults?

As far as the ratio of books to church members goes, I know many people have multiple copies, which would further shrink the response rate that the 9:00 poster talked about. I can think of at least 6 copies of the printed book in my house, in two languages, and only my wife and I read (our children are still too young). We also have BOM readers for our kids, as well as scripture software installed on the computer and easy access to the BOM over the internet. Today we have access to the written word of God that saints of old could only have dreamed about, and it is nothing short of a miracle.

Shaun | 5:23 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008

Fredd- we Mormons love you and the Lord loves you!

Fredd | 10:04 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008

sorry I am just upset because I know you are right and I don't want to change so it is easier to disparage you then to make the needed changes in my life!

Why does God have the honesty commandments??

Loren | 12:02 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008

The BOM is also distributed by the RLDS/CofC and the Zarahemla Foundation (Restored Covenant Edition)--the Utah church edition is not the only one. Therefore the figures cited account only for the copies of the BOM distributed by the Utah church.

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