TWENTY-SIX
(1831)
Early missionary work promoted the sale of the Book of Mormon. Joseph gave people value according
to their desires. Sidney Rigdon became Joseph’s spokesperson and other counselors were selected to support
a hierarchy, as the people wanted. The role of the Brothers in influencing George Fox is revealed. Joseph
worked on retranslating the Bible. His work as the modern-day Moses continued to give the people the
opportunity to stumble. The people rejected the Book of Mormon as the keystone of their faith.Financing and Printing the Book of Mormon
The storybook tale of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon makes one of the
greatest, most compelling—even magical—sagas ever to help one transition from
listener of the stories, to convert of the faith. The alleged “facts” in LDS “history”
concerning the publication of the Book of Mormon are convoluted. The real truth is buried
under layers of editorial revisionism and speculated literary license. Besides, why would
the LDS/Mormons, entrenched in a successful worldwide missionary effort, want to
ruin a good story—one that is responsible for the conversion of millions—with the real
truth? Because of these contradictions and challenges to the real truth, this biography
was necessitated. This book, the only one of its kind, fully discloses Joseph’s true identity
in print, which none can debate or refute because of the source of the information
provided—Joseph Smith, Jr., himself. The pertinent facts about what really happened in
LDS/Mormon history and the publication of the Book of Mormon are revealed herein.
It was difficult to find someone to print something as controversial as the Book
of Mormon in 1830. Joseph contacted a local bookseller and printer, E. B. Grandin of
Palmyra, New York. At first, Grandin refused to print the book because of the
controversy that followed this new religion, believing as well that the book would not
sell. Grandin was further influenced to not print the book by a local group of
“concerned Christians,” who vowed to boycott business at Grandin’s shop if he
printed “Jo Smith’s Golden Bible.”^1 It was Martin Harris who finally convinced
Grandin to print the book, but his consent was not out of the goodness of his heart.
Grandin not only wanted to be paid for the printing, but he also wanted to establish a
contract for a part of the proceeds from the sale of the book, if it ever did sell. Grandin
didn’t like Joseph Smith any more than most of Joseph’s critics and enemies, but
money usually overrules petty personal prejudices.
LDS/Church history has painted Martin Harris as a willing supporter of the
printing. Although Harris was willing, he also wanted a guarantee that he would get his
own money back from the sale of the book. Harris, just 12 years younger than Joseph Sr.,
but 22 years older than Joseph Jr., played the age card with Joseph Sr., knowing that
father Smith would do anything he could to further his son’s work. Therefore, Martin, as
elder to elder, and knowing that he would be an easier sale than his son, visited with
Joseph Smith, Sr. and convinced him to sign a contract that assured Martin would be
repaid any monies that he put up for the book.